TRUTH: Love is focused on others, not self

Boasting misplaces…

HUMILITY
Luke 18:11a :: The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus:

SELF-AWARENESS
Luke 18:11b :: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

QUIETNESS
Luke 18:12 :: I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’


What does this mean for me?

Get Over

Be Real

Let Others

Glorify GOD!

To hate evil we must…

Recognize it
John 2:14 :: In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there.

Objective evil exists

Understand it’s danger

Be transformed by it
John 2:15 :: And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.

Intensity is required

Emotion, not just behavior must change


What does this mean for me?

Acknowledge the tension that exists
Matthew 12:35 :: The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

Follow Jesus’ example
Luke 6:35 :: But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Increase your urgency to share Jesus

TRUTH: Love celebrates when truth is embraced

Hard realities of truth…

It is found in Christ and His Word
John 8:31 :: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples

It requires more than knowing
John 8:31 :: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples

It alone can bring freedom
John 8:32 :: and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

It is contrary to our flesh
John 8:43-44 :: Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

It does not exceed grace
John 1:16-17 :: For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

What does this mean for me?

Embrace an absolute truth
John 17:17 :: Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Live as an example
Galatians 5:16 :: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Offer grace, then truth
John 8:11 :: She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Love does not burn with want of what someone else has.

Love pursues peace with all people

A love that is kind is pleasant and not harsh!

Having a patient love means we are willing to suffer long

Love supplies a victory when it is revealed.

Our understanding of God is demonstrated by how we love one another!

Mission requires action, and movements get us going!