Each Day Already is a Challenge

Ta-da...Sermon notes from Sunday June 17

Building Character Series - Part 10 (final part)
Love is...

Joke:
Woman writes letter to ex-boyfriend.

Dear Bill,
I'm sorry I broke our engagement. I do still love you. Really.
Love, Carla
P.S. I heard you won the lottery.

Mark 12:29-31 NCV
Jesus answered, "...Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second command is this: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. There are no commands more important than these."

Galatians 5:14 NIV
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Rediscovering Love

By definition

Bad definitions:
Love is only a feeling. It's more!!!

Love is uncontrollable. Right. Your head is spinning? You're weak? In need? You fell in love and couldn't help it?

Good definitions:
Love is a choice.

Colossians 3:14 MSG
And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all purpose garment. Never be without it.

We are commanded to love, to wear love, to show love, not to "feel."

Love is an action.

1 John 3:18 NLT
Dear children, let us stop saying we love each other; let us really show it be our actions.

By demonstration.

Corinthian Love...(1 Corinthians 13)

Love never gives up. Love is patient.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV
Be patient with everyone.

Love equals time and waiting and patience.

Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.

None of us are perfect. We have not yet grown up - spiritually. We're still on the way.

Love is other oriented.

Psalms 112:4 NCV
A light shines in the dark for honest people, for those who are merciful and kind and good.

Love feels secure.

Romans 8:39 NIV
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is no envy, no boasting, no pride. If we're secure in love, we don't need to boast.
Love operates in a position of strength and everyone benefits. Love flows from abundance, not emptiness.

Love is giving and gracious.

Proverbs 11:25 GW
A generous person will be made rich, and whoever satisfies others will himself be satisfied.

Love makes a difference in small ways, in acts of kindness.

Love will not quit.

Psalms 27:14 MSG
Stay with God. Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God.

Love always hopes and perseveres.

Life is loaded with speed bumps. Love helps.