25-0924wc Transcript

(0:04) In the realm of Christian worldview studies, few voices resonate as profoundly as Dr. Del Tackett. (0:12) Known for his influential series, The Truth Project, Tackett has continued to guide believers (0:19) through deep explorations of faith, culture, and God’s design for humanity. His follow-up series, (0:27) The Engagement Project, is a small group study comprising 10 video tours aimed at equipping (0:35) Christians to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

As described on his official website, (0:43) the project invites participants on a marvelous quest of seeking the face of God and understanding (0:50) his ultimate purposes. Tour 3, titled Redemption, the Heart of God, delves into the transformative (0:59) power of divine love, redemption from darkness, and the call to reflect God’s heart in our lives. (1:07) This article focuses on Part 2 of Tour 3, drawing from session notes to impact (1:13) the profound themes of agape love, grace, and God’s steadfast pursuit, often referred to as (1:22) chesed.

By weaving in biblical insights and cultural context, we’ll flesh out these ideas (1:29) to reveal how they form the crown jewel of God’s redemptive plan. (1:36) The Essence of Agape, Sacrificial Love Redefined (1:42) At the core of Tour 3, Part 2, is an examination of agape, the Greek word for love that transcends (1:52) mere emotion or affection. Tackett defines true agape love as the sacrificial zeal (1:59) that seeks the true good, the shalom, peace, or well-being of another.

(2:05) This isn’t a self-centered or superficial sentiment. It’s other-focused, unyielding, (2:12) and willing to embrace discomfort for the sake of the beloved. Unlike fleeting feelings or handouts (2:19) that might enable harm, agape demands authenticity.

It doesn’t withhold truth or mimic (2:26) insincerity, as seen in Judas' betraying kiss, John 13, 18-30. Tackett emphasizes that agape (2:36) isn’t for the faint of heart. It costs something profound, with Jesus Christ as the ultimate (2:43) exemplar.

In the Gospels, Jesus' life and death illustrate this. He laid down his life not for (2:51) convenience, but out of zeal for humanity’s eternal shalom. This theme isn’t peripheral (2:59) in Scripture.

It’s central. As 1 John 4, 20 declares, If someone says, I love God and hates (3:08) his brother, he is a liar. For the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot (3:16) love God, whom he has not seen.

Without agape, we abide in death, 1 John 3, 14, and fail to know God (3:26) himself, 1 John 4, 8. To drive this home, Tackett turns to 1 Corinthians 13, verses 4-8, often (3:36) called the love chapter. Here, agape love is painted vividly, patient and kind. It bears, (3:44) believes, hopes, and endures all things.

It rejoices in the truth and outlasts even faith (3:52) and hope. Conversely, it rejects jealousy, bragging, arrogance, rudeness, selfishness, (4:00) irritability, resentment, and delight in wrongdoing. In a playful nod, Tackett rings a gong (4:07) to symbolize the emptiness of the loveless actions, echoing the chapter’s warning that without love, (4:16) we are like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal, 1 Corinthians 13, verse 1, (4:24) tying it to God’s grand narrative, the three questions in John 3, 16.

Tackett connects these (4:32) truths to three pivotal questions posed in the series. Why did Jesus leave? Why does God send (4:40) us? What is God’s end game? The answer, he argues, lies in agape, the crown jewel of God’s (4:49) character, epitomized in John 3, 16, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten (4:57) son, that whomever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. This verse isn’t (5:04) just a slogan.

It’s the heartbeat of redemption. Jesus' ascension, Acts 1, verses 9 through 11, (5:13) wasn’t abandonment, but preparation for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, (5:19) sending believers as ambassadors of this love, 2 Corinthians 5, 20. (5:24) In God’s end game, a restored creation where agape reigns, drawing all things into harmony (5:31) within.

Deeper still, agape is extended to enemies. That’s grace. But Tackett pushes further, (5:40) revealing that God’s agape isn’t reserved for the righteous or the amiable.

It’s directed (5:47) toward enemies. This radical extension defines grace, true agape love aimed at the undeserving. (5:57) In a world that often equates love with reciprocity, this is revolutionary.

Who has (6:04) heard of such a thing? As Romans 5, 6 through 8 explains, you see, at just the right time, (6:11) and we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates his own love for us (6:18) in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Even as enemies, we are reconciled (6:27) through his death, Romans 5, 10. Tackett highlights Colossians 1, verses 21 through 22. (6:36) Once alienated and hostile, doing evil deeds, we are now presented holy and blameless (6:42) through Christ’s sacrifice.

Ephesians 2, 4 through 6 adds, but because of his great love for us, (6:51) God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. (6:58) It is by grace you have been saved. This grace elevates us to heavenly places.

(7:05) Showcasing God’s kindness for ages to come. These passages paint a portrait of a God (7:12) who pursues relentlessly, not despite our rebellion, but because of his nature. (7:20) The unyielding pursuit, Chesed, God’s steadfast love.

Delving even deeper, (7:28) Tackett introduces Chesed, a Hebrew term from the Old Testament that captures God’s (7:34) unwavering commitment. Psalm 136, verses 1 and 2 declares, (7:40) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

(7:46) Translations vary, love, mercy, loving kindness, steadfast love. But the essence is the same, (7:54) a loyal unfailing pursuit that never quits, even when spurned. Chesed isn’t for the lovable (8:02) or deserving.

It’s extended steadfastly to the ungodly, sinners, and hostile. (8:09) It mirrors Agape, but emphasizes endurance. Appearing over 240 times in the Hebrew Bible, (8:16) often in context of covenant faithfulness, Exodus 34, 6 through 7. (8:23) God’s Chesed is the thread weaving through history, from delivering Israel despite their (8:30) idolatry to the cross, where it culminates in Christ.

This love doesn’t waver amid betrayal. (8:37) It persists, seeking our true good. A musical interlude, the love of God.

(8:44) To encapsulate these truths, participants in Tour 3, Part 2, listen to the hymn, (8:51) A Love of God, by Frederick M. Lehman, 1917. Its lyrics poetically grasp the incomprehensible. (9:00) A love of God is greater far the tongue or pen can ever tell.

It goes beyond the highest star (9:08) and reaches to the lowest hell. Inspired by a poem found on a prison wall, the song (9:15) echoes the session’s themes, reminding us that divine love defies measurement, (9:21) covering our deepest failings. Culmination, nothing can separate us.

(9:28) The session closes with Romans 8, 31 through 39, a triumphant declaration of God’s unquenchable (9:36) love. What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against (9:43) us? He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all. How will he not also, along with (9:52) him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? (9:59) It is God who justifies.

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died, (10:07) more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (10:15) Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or (10:21) nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him (10:28) who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, (10:36) neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything (10:41) else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, (10:48) our Lord. This passage seals the message. God’s redemptive heart, agape, grace, chesed, (10:58) triumphs over all.

In the engagement project, Tackett challenges believers not just to understand (11:05) this love, but to embody it, engaging a broken world as sent ones, reflecting the God who (11:12) redeems enemies into heirs. Through tour three, part two, participants glimpse the crown jewel (11:20) of redemption, a love that costs, pursues, and endures. As Tackett’s series continues to inspire (11:28) small groups worldwide, it calls us to live out this heart of God in our neighborhoods and beyond.