"LOVING WELL MATTERS" 6th Sunday of the Resurrection

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

"LOVING WELL MATTERS" 5th Sunday of the Resurrection

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 evil but
rejoicing in the truth,

always protects,
always believes,
always hopes,
always endures.
Love never fails.

The “nots” in Paul’s explanation of love directs us to:

·       turn away from what comes naturally to our “old self” with its impostor way of loving,

·       embrace our “new self” way of loving and living empowered by God.

Galatians 5 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Loving Well is a battle.  

Our Old Self (sinful nature, the flesh) is allied with the devil and the world forming an un-holy trinity. 

Our New Self, empowered by the Holy Trinity experiences victory in Loving Well!       What is today?

1 Peter 5   8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith,    
James 4  7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

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 take us deep into the source of power to love and win the battle of loving well.

Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tuesday – Galatians 5:13-18

Wednesday – Galatians 5:19-26

Thursday – Romans 6:8-14

Friday – Ephesians 6:10-18

Saturday – Psalm 51

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"LOVING WELL MATTERS" 4th Sunday of the Resurrection

SERMON NOTES:  

4th Sunday of the Resurrection

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.
Romans 12 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

1 Corinthians 13 Love is…   
                     patient,
                     kind,

                     not jealous                                      ...to boil with envy!      Why?
                     not boastful,
                     not proud                                        ... to puff up self through words and actions,
                     not rude
                     not self-seeking                              ...  to subtly drain life from others for self’s sake
                    not irritable,                          
                    not keeping a list of wrongs,
                    not rejoicing in evil but
                          rejoicing in the truth,

                   always protects,
                   always believes,                               … these don’t drain life from others but pour into them
                   always hopes,                        
                   always endures.                                                    
    Love       never fails.                   

When it comes to Loving Well the question is, “Where are we looking for LIFE”?

          The “old self” drains life from others and is never filled!
          The “new self” receives life from Jesus and overflows into others – that is Loving Well.

Notice the fruit!  Who is in charge?    

We get to say to the old self, “You’re Fired” and to the new self, “You Lead”!

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 take us deep into the source of true love and the capacity to love well – Jesus!  Ruminating on these verses will help your receive the power of the love and life of Jesus who is Risen from the dead.

Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tuesday – Romans 12:1-2, 9-12

Wednesday – Romans 12:13-21

Thursday – John 15:1-8

Friday – John 15:9-17

Saturday – Psalm 42

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"LOVING WELL MATTERS" 3rd Sunday of the Resurrection

SERMON NOTES:  

3rd Sunday of the Resurrection

What day is today?        Resurrection Day
Which means?                 I get to fear less, hope more and love well!

1 John 4 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

2 Corinthians 5 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ. 

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 evil but
                          rejoicing in the truth,

                   always protects,
                   always believes,
                   always hopes,
                   always endures.                                                    
    Love       never fails.                   

How do the 5 Love Languages help me love well?     

     Words of Affirmation -
     Quality Time -
  Receiving Gifts -
     Physical Touch-
     Acts of Service –

How does my “old self” respond?    How does my “new self” respond?

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 take us deep into the source of true love and the capacity to love well – Jesus!  Ruminating on these verses will help your receive the power of the love and life of Jesus who is Risen from the dead.

Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tuesday – 1 John 4:7-12

Wednesday – Ephesians 3:14-19

Thursday – Ephesians 4:29-5:2

Friday – Philippians 1:3-12

Saturday – 1 John 3:11-20

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

'LOVING WELL MATTERS" 2nd Sunday of the Resurrection

SERMON NOTES:  

Loving Well Matters
       2nd Sunday of the Resurrection

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. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, 

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 evil but
                          rejoicing in the truth,

                   always protects,
                   always believes,
                   always hopes,
                   always endures.                                                    
    Love       never fails.                   

How?

2 Corinthians 5 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.

I love well when my “old self” is starving and my “new self” is thriving!

Homework:  Learn your language at www.5lovelanguages.com

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 take us deep into the source of true love and the capacity to love well – Jesus!  Ruminating on these verses will help you receive the power of the love and life of Jesus who is Risen from the dead.

Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tuesday – Philippians 1:3-11

Wednesday – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Thursday – Ephesians 4:17-24

Friday – Colossians 3:5-14

Saturday – Psalm 23

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7