Love Never Fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-­‐8a) Preface • Talk about abortion today • Lead with grace (Romans 5:20) The Problem • We really don’t understand love. • John 13:35 says we will be known as Jesus’ disciples if we love one another. • But churches split; the number of divorces is the same inside the Church as it is outside; people in the Church don’t share their pain with each other for fear of being judged. • We don’t know how to love. The Solution • Many words are used for love. God defines only one for us: agape. • 1 Corinthians 13:4-­‐8a—Love… o Suffers a long time; pain and hardship § Being loving is different than being patient—patience is short term; love encompasses time. § Genesis 12:2-­‐4—God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation. He was 75 years old at the time. § Hebrews 6:15—Abraham, after he “patiently endured,” obtained what God promised. § Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac is born; 175 years old when Abraham died. § Abraham patiently endured for at least 25 years, but really 100. o Is kind, tender § Even when someone is harsh toward us and causes us to suffer, we are called to be kind. o Does not envy o Does not parade itself and boast o Doesn’t get puffed up with pride o
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§ “All of these are about me!” Love is about the other person. Does not behave rudely Does not seek its own way Is not provoked § I’m in control. I choose to love you, and there is nothing you can do about it. Your behavior doesn’t dictate how I act toward you. Thinks no evil—how you view the object of your love § It’s often very subtle: “They don’t deserve my love,” “I don’t feel like loving them,” “I’m tired of trying.” § Love is wanting God’s best for them. Anything less is rooted in sin. Does not rejoice in iniquity § The root word is the same as righteousness but made the opposite: unrighteousness. § In very subtle ways, we often rejoice in someone’s unrighteousness. It could be congratulating a young man after he spends the night with an attractive woman (iniquity), or wanting to be included in the gossip (iniquity), and many other subtle forms. Rejoices in the Truth § Knows what is true, is not a doormat, speaks the truth, rejoices in truth, knows that God is Truth Bears ALL THINGS Believes ALL THINGS Hopes ALL THINGS Endures ALL THINGS § We bear and endure because we believe God is who He says He is and that He loves us. § We have hope because we know what God has done for us through Christ. § We can bear and endure because we believe and have hope. This kind of love never fails. Even if the object of our love rejects us, we become more like Christ. This love cannot fail. This kind of love is not easy! But they will know we are His disciples if we love one another. Love isn’t easy, but it’s also not optional. •
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In the early church, many flocked together because they loved each other well. Let’s look at someone who is considering an abortion or had one. What is their view of the Church? o Judgmental o Mean o “They can’t understand” o Hypocritical This view of the Church is even true for women who are in the Church! o One-­‐third of women in the church have had an abortion. Application • How can we change that view? o Talk about abortion in the Church with grace, compassion, and truth. o Care for one another when we are caught in sin—any sin. o Meet each other’s needs; be generous and joyful. o Suffer long with your brothers and sisters, believe, and hope. o Be kind to everyone. • How can you help end abortion? o Work with a women’s care clinic or life-­‐affirming pregnancy center to support women in your community through existing ministries of the Church. o Talk about abortion and the Church’s desire not to judge people, but to love and provide for them. o Learn: Read Brian Fisher’s book written for the Church, Deliver Us from Abortion, Abortion: The Ultimate Exploitation of Women, and ask our team about the Pro-­‐Life .101 training opportunity o Act: Sign The Pro Life Declaration at www.prolife.org. o Pray: Download the Prayer App at www.prolifeapp.com. Partner with Human Coalition • Become a Rescue Partner at https://secure.humancoalition.org/become-­‐a-­‐rescue-­‐
partner/?sc=CID-­‐2712.
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Participate in local pro-­‐life events. Go to www.humancoalition.org and sign up to receive more information. Meg McCrory 11/10/2016 3:38 PM
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