August 10 2014 Love - The Highest Quality Of The Church And Life

Love: The Highest Quality Of The Church And Life 

Matthew 22:36-39 - “Which is the most important command?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 'This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: 'Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.”

THREE QUALITIES OF LOVE

I. THE BEST USE OF LIFE IS LOVE.

FOUR REASONS WHY

1 John 4:8 - “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1. Love validates my faith.

1 John 4:20 - “If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen.”

2. Love integrates my life.

Colossians 3:14 - “Love is more important than anything else, it is what ties everything completely together.”

3. Love shows the set of our heart.

1 Peter 4:8 - “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

4. Love reverberates forever.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - “And now these three remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.”

2 Corinthians 13:3 - “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.”

II. THE BEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE IS TIME.

1 John 3:18 - “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”

Galatians 5:6 - “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

Ephesians 5:2 - “Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.”

III. THE BEST TIME TO LOVE IS NOW.

Galatians 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Ephesians 5:16 - “Making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”

Proverbs 3:27 -28 - “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell you neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 - “Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire love. Make it your aim, your great quest.”

March 16 2014 Growing The Character Of Kindness

Growing The Character of Kindness

Galatians 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit is kindness.

Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Two Reasons For Kindness:

1. God is kind to us.
2. We want people to be kind to us.

Five Characteristics Of Kindness:

1. A kind person is sensitive to others.

Philippians 2:4 – Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.

David: Kind to Saul’s grandson.

2. A kind person is supportive.

Proverbs 15:4 – Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

Proverbs 10:32 – Righteous people know the kind thing to say, but the wicked are always saying things that hurt.

3. A kind person is sympathetic.

Romans 12:15 – When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.

John 11:35 – Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

4. A kind person is straight forward.

Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend are better that kisses from an enemy.

5. A kind person is spontaneous.

Galatians 6:10 – As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.

The Number One Enemy Of Kindness Is: BUSYNESS!!!

A Project For This Week: Write down seven people you want to show kindness to this week. List the ways you can do it. Ask God to give you the opportunity to show kindness to one of them each day.