"Loving Those who are Hard to Love", Sermon on 7 June 2026 by Bob Thurlow

"Loving Those who are Hard to Love" #7 in the Series: 'Fruit of the Spirit', Bob Thurlow preaching on June 7, 2026 in Pittwater Presbyterian Church, Newport, Sydney, Australia. BIBLE REFERENCES: Hosea 11:1-11 and Romans 5:1-8 There are many books and sermons on love. The Ancient Greeks had at least five words for love instead of just the one that we have in English. Bob here focuses mainly on the Greek's Agápē love, God's view on love, which is altruistic, unconditional, and selfless love. This love represents universal empathy and charity, quite apart from the natural human love that we are all very familiar with. This love is not primarily a feeling but it is a disposition of the will. It is not an emotion that results from circumstances or even attraction. So how do I grasp what this love is that I should have? It is the same love the Bible tells us that Jesus has and that he demonstrated when with us on earth, and this is what Bob is helping us to understand, because it is love that brings peace and joy beyond understanding. But he also reveals that to love those who are hard to love is so very difficult for all of us, because it does not fit to our normal human understanding, and like all of us, he finds it difficult too - but it is actually what we really want, and what we benefit most from. This and related sermons are at www.https://pittwaterpc.org.au/sermons/