5 Love Languages of God (SS)

Many have read the book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  It outlines five ways to express and experience love, including

• Acts of service
• Words of affirmation
• Gift giving
• Physical touch
• Quality time

God’s Love Languages 

We know that God loves us (John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.) and that God IS love (1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.).  

God has also written a book about “love languages” — the Bible!  It is the purest and clearest revelation of what love really is. So what might be God’s love languages to us?  We’ll define five, from God’s Book, that are similar to those in Gary Chapman’s book. 

God’s love languages include, but are not limited to, acts of service (His works), words of affirmation (His Word and Promises), gift giving (His grace), touch (His “hugs”), and quality time (His presence).

Do you know your love language?

How do you like to show your love?

Generally when someone expresses their love with a particular love language, they also like to receive love in that same language. We will look at how God gives love, and then discuss how he expects up to reciprocate that love using the same love language.

ACTS of SERVICE (His Works) 

Matt 20:28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus’ whole life and ministry was dedicated to service. He had more instances of acts of services that sermons. He never hesitated to reach out to the real needs of the people he encountered. Acting in compassionate service allowed him effortlessly introduce people to a life without sin and the joys of salvation.

He served through his works.

Oh, how His wonderful works have shown us His love throughout the ages.  The psalmist proclaimed, “I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.” (Psa 77:11)

Remembering all that He has done in the past, focusing on all that He is doing in the present, and looking forward to all that He will do in the future gives us joy and hope.  Consider now the record of some of Jesus’ works:

• Jesus made the trip from Heaven’s glory to live among us (John 1:14). 
• Jesus “worked the works of His Father who sent Him” (John 9:4).
• Jesus calmed the storm (Matt 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41). 
• Jesus performed great miracles (John 2:11, 6:2, 21:25). 
• Jesus walked on water (Matt 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-56, John 6:16-24). 
• Jesus confronted demons (Matt 8:16, Mark 1:34, Luke 4:41, et al.). 
• Jesus suffered humiliation and agony for us (Phil 2:5-8, Gal 3:13, 1 Peter 3:18, et al.). 

† Jesus willingly sacrificed His life for us (Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2, et al.). 

• Jesus now lifts our burdens (Matt 11:30). 
• Jesus walks before us and He walks beside us (John 10:4, 27; Heb 13:5c). 
• Jesus intercedes for us as our Mediator in Heaven (Ro 8:34, Heb 7:25).
• Jesus is working as our advocate before the throne of Heaven (1 John 2:1).
• Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven (John 14:1-4).
• Jesus will resurrect His Church  (1 Thess 4:16-17)
• Jesus will come again in judgment (1 Pet 4:5, Rev 19:11)
• Jesus will bind Satan and cast him into the pit (Rev 19-20). 
• Jesus will make all things new (Rev 21:5)

ASK THE CONGREGATION HOW WE CAN LOVE GOD WITH ACTS OF SERVICE?

Jesus requires that we reciprocate this same type of love, but instead of directly to Him, we should do it to our fellow men.

Matthew 25:34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
 

WORDS of AFFIRMATION (His Word and His Promises)

By His Word God brought the world into being (Gen 1:1, John 1:1)

His words of love are recorded in Scripture and shall never pass away (Matt 24:35). His words are also written on our hearts (Ro 2:15). We should ponder them in our hearts (Prov 4:4, Luke 2:19) and allow them to direct our paths (Psa 119:105).

God’s word is His promise, he will not and he cannot lie. So it is important that we rest upon his promises and claim the affirmations he has planted in his word for us. Here are just a few reminders from the Bible:

2 Peter 1:4

And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

The Bible is the most important book ever written.  On the pages of the Bible is found words of affirmation, love, mercy, and grace; words of joy, comfort, and peace; and words of truth, direction, and correction.  The Bible gives hope when we are hopeless, comfort when we suffer, and strength when we are weak.  

The Bible reveals to us God’s precepts, principles, and promises.  It offers recorded history for our examples and future prophecies for our hope.  The Bible is our “roadmap” for life and our “life coach” for living.

After all has been said and done, there is an affirmation Jesus longs to give every person who has ever walked the earth. It is the same one the master gave to his servants in the parable of the 10 talents in Matthew 25:21. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

ASK THE CONGREGATION HOW WE CAN LOVE GOD WITH WORDS OF AFFIRMATION?

Praise is our affirmation of God.
Psalm 19:9 “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”

Psalm 119:164 “Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.”
 

GIFT GIVING (His Grace)

Grace is defined as a gift, and God’s gifts of grace are innumerable.  We didn’t earn, nor do we deserve, His gifts, but God is lavishly generous in pouring His grace out on His children.  All we need to do is receive that which He desires to give us. 

Before listing a few of the gifts God has given us, let’s consider what is the greatest of all in John 3:16, his only begotten son. Through Jesus comes all God’s gifts of grace.   

Let’s make a list, albeit short and certainly incomplete, of gifts of grace we have received from God:

• The Gift of Jesus (John 3:16, John 4:10)
• The Gift of Salvation/Eternal Life (John 3:16, Ro 6:23, Eph 2:8) 
• The Gift of Sanctifying Power/ the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18-20)
• The Gift of Love, Security, and Comfort  (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
• The Gift of His Riches/Treasures (Phil 4:19, Col 2:2-3)
• The Gift of His Calling and Equipping for Services (Ro 8:30, 1 Cor 7:7)

No greater gift has anyone ever given than that which Jesus gave.  He gave His life for us, has given the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life to us, and offers this gift to all who will come to Him in faith. (John 3:16, Ro 5:8, Ro 10:13)

ASK THE CONGREGATION HOW WE CAN LOVE GOD WITH GIFT GIVING?

We are not eligible for the gift of grace if we refuse to give this same gift to those who have wronged us.
Matthew 6:15 “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Gift giving here can also be giving physical gifts of to attend to the needs of the less fortunate or gifts of our time and effort to the benefit of our neighbours.
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Physical Touch (HUGS)

If you should look at all the stories of Jesus touching people (or people touching Jesus) in the bible, you will recognise that just his touch is enough to transform the physical or mental situation of the person he touched. Jesus knew the importance of touching the people he ministered to and how the touch can bring about a feeling of renewal, safety and comfort. His touch has the effect of more than just his fingers on our shoulders but more like a big warm juicy hug.
His touch is reassuring and comforting, it reminds us of his presence, and even though he is not physically here to touch us today, he can give us the same results as if he were to embrace us in his bosom.
Jesus heals broken hearts, mends marriages, soothes troubled brows, provides peace, security, assurance and contentment to those who know Him (2 Cor 1:3-4).  All the comforts that are given to us in times of trials, troubles, pain and suffering, and in times of joy, peace, and celebration, are His divine hugs.

He is Shepherd and Overseer of our Souls (1 Pet 2:25). 
He cares for us, takes our burdens upon Himself, and gives us rest (1 Peter 5:7, Matt 11:29).

Psa 55:22  Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you…

Psa 73:23  Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.

Psa 73:24  You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.
 

Jesus expressed his sentiment of wanting to hug his people in Matthew 23:37
"... how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings…
 

ASK THE CONGREGATION HOW WE CAN LOVE GOD WITH PHYSICAL TOUCH?
Any act of love that we want to express to God, we can do it to our brothers and sisters.

1 John 4:20 “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
 

Romans 12:9-13 NIV: Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

QUALITY TIME (His presence)

There has never been a time when God was not alive or was not present with us. In fact he let’s us know that NOTHING can separate us from his Love in Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
 

He also promised us that there is nowhere we can go to hide from his presence.

Psalm 139:7-12

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
 

There is not a place on this earth where Jesus is not there.  He is with us always because His Holy Spirit indwells us.  And, He has promised that He will never leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5).

It is not only that He is present, He is always interceding on our behalf and waiting on our every prayer. He is unlike any other friend because He is there whenever we need Him and will spend as much time as we need.
 

Our heart’s longing should be to seek His presence, to be aware of His presence, and to respond to His presence.  

ASK THE CONGREGATION HOW WE CAN LOVE GOD WITH QUALITY TIME?

God requires that we reciprocate with time in personal worship, it is only then can we truly express our love to him with time, not just time sitting, nut deliberate and intentional time in an effort to grow our relationship with God.