SERMON NOTES:
What day is today? Resurrection Day
Which means? I get to fear less, hope more and love well!
Philippians 1:9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately.
1 Corinthians 13 Love is…
patient,
kind,
not jealous
not boastful,
not proud
not rude
not self-seeking
not irritable,
not keeping a list of wrongs,
not rejoicing in unrighteousness
but
rejoices together with the truth,
always protects,
always believes,
always hopes,
always endures.
Love never fails.
Love (rejoicing with the truth):
“protects” – covers the worst not pointing it out, giving a wide lane of grace without complaining nor being blindly naive.
“believes” – interpreting the situation and motives in the best possible way – puts the best construction on everything.
“hopes” – knowing no pessimism, hopeful for the best in people and situations. Hope is visionary, seeing in someone what they cannot yet see in themselves, expecting grace to conquer and win its way.
“endures” – bravely perseveres, bearing up under the worst of situations and people.
“never fails” –never falls into disappearance
The repeated “always” or “all things” provides a critical key to practically “loving well”:
“Love’s quality is not controlled by its circumstances!”
We are set “free” to love well – to be who we really are and love well out of our true selves, our new selves, our “in Christ” selves.
Study Guide
Solitude, Scripture & Prayer
Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.
Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”
Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)
Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying? Why this word this day?
What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?
How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”
Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.
Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God
The readings this week will help us disconnect the quality of our loving with the circumstances at hand so we can truly love well.
Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Tuesday – Philippians 4:4-10
Wednesday – 1 Peter 2:9-17
Thursday – John 8:31-36
Friday – Romans 12:9-21
Saturday – 1 John 4:1-21
Got questions? Continue the discussion. Follow the link @ https://goo.gl/Jd93J7