Sunday Worship Service: NOVEMber 1, 2026
love enough to confront
Rev. Joshua Kang
17 “You shall not hate your brother or sister in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him or her. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
17 “You shall not hate your brother or sister in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”
“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)
Q: What does it look like to love when truth is difficult, when relationships are messy, and when we have been hurt?
LOVE BEGINS IN THE HEART (v.17a)
“You shall not hate your brother or sister in your heart…” (ESV)
“…For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
“You shall not hate your brother or sister in your heart…” (ESV)
God’s invitation to let His Word examine our hearts.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
LOVE SPEAKS THE TRUTH (v.17b)
“…but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.” (ESV)
“Brothers and sisters, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1-2)
“…but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.” (ESV)
“…but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.” (ESV)
“Brothers and sisters, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1-2)
“…but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.” (ESV)
Three diagnostic questions:
Why am I speaking?
How am I speaking?
What am I seeking?
LOVE REFUSES TO RETALIATE (v.18)
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (ESV)
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (ESV)
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (ESV)
Q: Am I allowing the hurt someone caused me to determine the kind of person I am becoming?
Am I yielding to the Lord to shape and mold me?
