What is the meaning of Agape Love?
Agape love is a little different. It is not a feeling; it's a motivation for action that we are free to choose or reject. Agape is a sacrificial love that voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort, and even death for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return.
We are called to agape love through Christ's example: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1-2).
We are to love God (Matthew 22:37), our neighbor (Matthew 22:39), and even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-46). We are not to love money (Matthew 6:24), darkness (John 3:19), or men's approval (John 12:43).
The New Testament has over two-hundred references to agape love. Here are a few. Matthew 24:12: With increased lawlessness in the end times, concern and caring for others will fade.
Luke 11:42: The legalism of the Pharisees, even their sacrifices, did not reflect a love of God.
John 13:35: The Christian life is characterized by sacrificial agape love.
John 15:9-10; Romans 13:10: When we agape love God, we show it by obeying His commandments because His commandments teach us how to love others.
Although 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the chapter on love, there is no book that speaks more about agape than 1 John. Two important themes come out of 1 John. The first is that it is inconsistent and false to claim we agape love God while not agape loving other believers. We cannot love God without loving brothers and sisters who also love Him. The second is that it is inconsistent and false to claim we agape love God if we don't obey Him. It is impossible to love God while ignoring what He says. The two are inextricably connected, as Galatians 5:14 says: "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
On the Hill
Missionary Mass Meeting
Saturday, February 9, 2019
9:30 AM
Mt. Tabor A.M.E. Zion Church
Debbie Johnson wants all Missionaries to know that she will not be in attendance Saturday, due her first cousin's funeral which will be Saturday at noon in Charlotte, NC. Please pray for Debbie and her family.
Sunday School Re-Organization Meeting
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Immediately Following Service
Fellowship Hall
Recognizing Black History Month
Song Of The Week: Grandma's Hands
On Friday, Dec. 28, 2019, Mr. Harrison Davis led a fellowship discussion with the Youth of Lancaster Children Home. They discussed religion, school and sports while enjoying Publix subs, chips, cookies and assorted drinks. (photo provided by Terrance Barr)
Super Bowl LIII: 2 Rings Coming Home to Rock Hill
For New England cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, Sunday’s game against the Rams for football’s greatest prize offers an opportunity to represent Rock Hill, S.C. – otherwise known by some as Football City, USA.
“We’ve got the city on our back, and that’s all we need,” Patterson said Wednesday. “We take pride in the town we’re from. Everywhere we go, everywhere we play at, we carry them on our back.”
Rock Hill helped propel Patterson and Gilmore to this point in their careers.
Gilmore once starred at South Pointe, just like Patterson did for rival Northwestern. They met in the 2008 state championship game, with Gilmore (playing quarterback) and South Pointe coming away with a 35-14 victory.
Results of the Steele Hill Super Bowl Poll: 75% of participants picked the LA Rams to win - 25% of participants picked the New England Patriots. Congratulations to Miss Candace Adams (the only Patriots fan that I know) Also, the groundhog did not see his shadow, which means early Spring!
I want to introduce you to Titletown, TX Season 3 Episode 1: This is Gainesville. Gainesville State School, a juvenile correctional facility in Texas, has never been known for its winning football program. First-year Head Coach Roy Burns hopes to change that. (This video is 20 minutes and will require at least 1 box of tissue. An inspiring story...)
Jacqueline and Jesse Jackson Jr. talk "Letters to My Son in Prison"
Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for campaign finance fraud. He's the son of civil rights activists Jesse Jackson Sr. and Jacqueline L. Jackson. Now Jackson and his mother are sharing how they got through his prison sentence in a new book called, "Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray: Letters to My Son in Prison." They join "CBS This Morning" to discuss how a mother's determination pulled her son out of a dark place.
In The Community
Please share with family and friends in Heath Springs, SC - Hello Rev. Jerry & Mrs. Elaine Lindsay!
From Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
We have had two companies hit with an phishing email to their payroll departments. The suspect impersonates the company owner or someone within the company and request a payroll routing change. The request usually ask the payroll department to switch their direct deposit to another bank account/ routing number. These emails seem genuine on face value, because it appears to come from the owner/ employee. The emails originate from a masked email address (outside of the company) that may be embedded in the originating email. I have attached an information alert from U.S. Secret Service referencing these type of scams.
Thanks,
Sgt Bill Murphy
Crime Prevention/Community Service Officer
Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office
803-313-2148 Office
803-288-2734 Cell
Guess What Day is next Thursday?
Thank you for reading this weeks Mid-Week Update!
Steele Hill Media Ministry
Credits:
Created with images by freestocks.org - "untitled image" • pixel2013 - "heart rose red rose" Terrance Barr, Tina Johnson