Anchor Verses
Mark 11:13–14 · Galatians 5:22–23 · Ephesians 4:15
Focus Statement
Biblical love is neither apathetic tolerance nor harsh truth, but Spirit-formed fruit that leads people toward life and transformation—love that speaks truth with humility, extends grace with conviction, and reflects the heart of Christ rather than the instincts of culture.
Introduction — What Is Love?
- Modern culture often defines love by what it avoids rather than what it produces
- “Don’t hurt me” becomes the highest value
- Two common distortions of love:
- Apathy — avoiding conflict or engagement
- Aggression — asserting truth without compassion
- Both fall short of biblical love
All Leaves, No Fruit
- Mark 11:12–25
- Jesus curses the fig tree not out of anger, but as a prophetic warning
- The tree had the appearance of life but produced no fruit
- A picture of spiritual appearance without inward reality
- Illustration: Pontius Pilate
- Roman governor who presided over Jesus’ trial
- Declared Jesus innocent but chose political safety over moral courage
- Attempted compromise, avoided responsibility, and washed his hands
- Knew the truth but refused to act on it
Fruit That Can’t Feed
- Osage Orange Tree
- Large, impressive fruit that is inedible and useless
- Looks substantial but provides no nourishment
- Connection to Love:
- Represents abrasive love:
- Truth without tenderness
- Correctness without compassion
- Boldness without humility
- Illustration: Martin Luther
- 16th-century reformer who challenged church corruption
- Emphasized salvation by grace through faith
- Translated Scripture into German, reshaping Christianity
- Known for sharp, combative language in defending truth
- Later acknowledged his words were often harsher than necessary
What Real Spiritual Fruit Looks Like
- Galatians 5:22 — “The fruit of the Spirit is love…”
- Love is not:
- Avoidance
- Aggression
- Love is:
- Produced by the Spirit
- Evidence of abiding in Christ
- Nourishing, healing, and transformative
- Jesus as the Model:
- Fully truthful and fully compassionate
- Gentle with the broken, firm with sin
- Love and truth perfectly united
Walking It Out — From Display to Delivery
- Examine our tendencies:
- Silence to avoid discomfort
- Sharpness to assert control
- Ask better questions:
- Is my response motivated by love or fear?
- Does this pursue another person’s good?
- Stay rooted in Christ:
- Fruit grows from abiding, not effort
