Courageous Love
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser, Harvester Reformational Church, Burgundy Estate, 20th Sept. 2026
“Love … endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, bears up under all things, not losing heart nor courage. Love Never fails.” Wuest’s Greek Translation 1 Cor. 13:7
Jesus is Our Example
1Pe 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
Jesus carried our sins on the cross. Even he needed help, Simon the Cyrenian was compelled to carry His cross by the soldiers.
There is a moment when we can bear the burdens of others. It is not forever, but in a critical moment when Christ can be seen in our fellowship of love.
Pro_18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?
The good news is Jesus is anointed to heal the broken-hearted:
God will not despise a broken and contrite heart:
Psa_34:18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psa_51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
Isa_57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isa_66:2 For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.
Promises for those who endure
Psa 72:12 For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper.
Psa 72:13 He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy.
Psa 72:14 He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.
Psa 72:15 And He shall live; And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him; Prayer also will be made for Him continually, And daily He shall be praised.
Psa 72:16 There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
Psa 72:17 His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.
Psa 72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things!
There is a time to work as a young person:
Lam_3:27 It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth.
We are to bear good fruit in our walk of faith:
Mat_3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
The Holy Spirit will help us cultivate the fruits of the Spirit which is a harvest:
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Fruit G2590 karpos Thayer Definition:
- the fruit of the trees, vines, of the fields
- the fruit of one’s loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity
- that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result
- work, act, deed
- advantage, profit, utility
- praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering
- to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal (as into a granary), is used in fig. discourse of those who by their labours have fitted souls to obtain eternal life
God can call us to bear His glory for our generation:
Zec_6:13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”
Zec 6:14 “Now the elaborate crown shall be for a memorial in the temple of the LORD for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.
Zec 6:15 Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of the LORD. Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
Faith and Hope work together to help us bear up under pressure and endure.
1Pe_1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe_1:21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Heb_6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
2Co 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
Applications of Courageous Love
- Follow in Jesus footsteps and carry your cross courageously.
- Help those around you when it is time, but only as you are led by Spirit.
- Access the promises of God when we cry out to God.
- We work with faith and hope to endure seasons in our life.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a fruitful harvest for your applied faith and works.
- Let your hope in God be an anchor for your soul.
- If you endure suffering for Christ, there is an eternal weight of glory in you.
- Believe the God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.