Love

Rusty Wirt   -   May 17, 2026

Sermon #1, Love

5.17.26

Words matter. From the words on your home mortgage agreement to the words on the Constitution of the United States, words carry a truth value. This is especially true when it comes to God’s words as revealed in Scripture. These words don’t just tell a story or recount a historical event. They convey divine meaning.Fortunately, this godly wisdom is not sealed away for just a select few. We can openly learn about the meaning of God’s words from God’s book. To do so, we must dip our toe into the study of language. And in this sermon series Pastor Rusty is going to share insights and historical context to some of the most impactful words in the New Testament. The hope is that God’s words will better illuminate our lives.

Words matter. If the words are God’s words, then these words eternally matter. (see 1 Peter 1:25)

First, Let’s Talk About Greek!

Why Greek Was Significant in the First Century?

• Lingua Franca of the Empire:
  • After Alexander the Great’s conquests (4th century BCE), Greek became the universal language across the Mediterranean and Near East.
  • By the first century, Koine Greek was spoken by merchants, scholars, and ordinary citizens, making it the most accessible medium for communication.
• Accessibility Across Cultures:
  • Writing in Greek meant the NT could be read by both Jews (outside Judea) and Gentiles.
  • It bridged cultural divides—Jewish concepts like Messiah and Torah were translated into terms Gentiles could grasp, such as Christos (Christ) and Nomos (law).
• Urban and Trade Networks:
  • Greek was the language of commerce and cities. As Paul and other apostles traveled to urban centers (Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi), their letters and teachings could be understood by diverse audiences.
  • BIG POINT!! This facilitated the rapid spread of Christianity along Roman roads and trade routes. Consider the following:
    • Missionary Advantage: Paul and other apostles could preach in Greek across Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome without needing translation.
    • Unified Scripture: A single language meant early churches across regions could share letters and gospels without linguistic barriers.
    • Cultural Bridge: Greek allowed Christian ideas to interact with Greco-Roman philosophy, ethics, and religion, making Christianity intellectually competitive in the empire.
    • Foundation for Translation: Because Greek was so widespread, it became the base text for later translations (Latin Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic), ensuring the gospel’s survival and expansion.

God knew what He was doing when he wrote the New Testament in this language. God choose not only the words of the sacred text, but the language, and historical moment in which the divine word would be captured and dispersed. As Paul said in Galatians 4:4-5:

 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

KEY POINT

God has a timing to His will that we cannot fully understand in one moment in time.

1. “Love”
   1. Discussion question: what are some different ways that you use this word in you everyday conversation.
   2. Consider this: there might be a difference between your idea of Love and God’s idea of love.
   3. Final note- Context matters greatly.
2. Let’s look at how the word is actually used.

Big Takeaway: The New Testament leads its readers toward a sacrificial love that is other-focused.

Application:

Know that God really does love you.

Know that God really wants you to love others.