Saturday, September 26, 2020

VIDEO: 9-27-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Peace"

 

VIDEO: 9-27-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Peace"

As we worship together "from house to house," we are at peace with one another and God.  We rejoice in His peace that is a gift.  We rely on His peace when our life is in chaos.  We celebrate peace today.

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Peace.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP




COMMUNION

Read Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, we are grateful for your peace.  We wander in a world of chaos and hostility.  We rely upon your peace to guide our hearts and protect our minds.  Thank you for your Son that has set us at peace.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for our children in school and our young adults in college and the work place.

MESSAGE

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. 


But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 


Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:13-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬



CHALLENGE

Share your peace with someone else.  Perhaps you can start by explaining your peace with someone else.  Pray for the ability to live within the peace provided to you.  Work on the discipline of contentment this week.


INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video



CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Peace (Galatians 5:13-26) Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on September 27, 2020)

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Peace - September 27, 2020


INTRODUCTION


Peace is the most obvious unnatural, supernatural grace.


Duke University did a study on "peace of mind." Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are: 1) the absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness. 2) Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression. 3) Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it. 4) Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress. 5) Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune. 6) Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues--love, humor, compassion and loyalty. 7) Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable. 8) Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. 


Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness. 


But we are talking about something beyond happiness and satisfaction.


Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always. 

Source Unknown


The world can identify peace when it sees it.  That peace that allows a wife to rejoice in the passing of her husband.  The peace that allows the terror of cancer to become the door to eternity.  The peace that gives hope to the hopeless.


"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 


So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 


The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 


Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." 

Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13-26‬ NIV


I.  PEACE AND IT'S COUNTERFEITS

A.  Peace and inner harmony with God

B.  Contentment-ok with the satisfaction or unsatisfaction


“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:6-10‬ ‭NIV‬

C.  Satisfaction - needs met


AUGUSTINE AND THE FOUR STATES OF MAN


In the 5th century AD, St. Augustine wrote about the "4 States of Man":


* The first state of man (the haec sunt prima) is "living according to the flesh -- with reason making no resistance." This can be seen in so many ancient cultures and religions (and unfortunately more than a few in our own time) with their human sacrifices, their idols, their pagan ceremonies, and even cannibalism. Human life -- without power -- was lightly regarded. Animals, especially domesticated animals, were often valued more highly than human life. Reason often vanishes when weighed against lust and self-gratification. Even today, this seems to be coming full circle. 


* The second state of man is "recognition of sin through the Law . . . but sinning knowingly." So long as people knew the Law, it would not be so easy to ignore the Law. Without the reminders of the Law, we easily return to the first state of man. Does any of this sound familiar?


* The third state of man is "faith in the help of God -- but he perseveres in seeking to please God." Man has begun to be moved by the Spirit of God. We are already standing with one foot in the hell which we have created, but in the "third state", man knows it. So he still struggles against his own sinful nature because he has not yet been fully healed. 


* The fourth state of man is "the full and perfect peace in God." This we find in harmony with Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the person of Jesus Christ, we see how far we have departed from God. 


Counterfeits 

Love - pleasure

Joy - happiness

Peace - satisfaction


II. A GIFT FROM GOD


“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

‭‭ John‬ ‭14:15-27‬ ‭NIV‬


A.  The spiritual nature of peace

B.  The work of the Holy Spirit in you

C.  A gift with a promise - "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be  afraid."


III.  BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS


“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 


Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 


Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 


I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭4:4-13‬ ‭NIV‬


A.  Rejoice - anyway

B.  Present your requests to God

1.  Pray

2.  Petition

3.  Thanksgiving

C.  Think about such things

1.  True

2.  Noble

3.  Right

4.  Pure

5.  Lovely

6.  Admirable

D.  Practice what you know

E.  The God of peace will be with you.

F.  Learn contentment

1.  Discipline

2.  Eternal truth - "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."


CHALLENGE


Share your peace with someone else.  Perhaps you can start by explaining your peace with someone else.  Pray for the ability to live within the peace provided to you.  Work on the discipline of contentment this week.


INVITATION


It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.

Saturday, September 19, 2020

VIDEO: 9-20-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Joy"

As we worship together "from house to house," we celebrate your love that fills our hearts.  We share a hope that rises from your love.  We live with a joy unshakable.

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Joy.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP




COMMUNION

Read ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, we are humbled that you saved us by your own purpose and grace.  We strive to live holy lives empowered by your Spirit.  Allow us to live a life worthy of your grace.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for our children at school.  Pray for our young adults at college.  Pray for our schools.

MESSAGE

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. 


But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 


Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:13-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬



CHALLENGE

Share your joy with someone else this week. Find a way to show them, not just tell them. Express the joy in your heart. You might try serving them with joy.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video




CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Joy (Galatians 5:13-26) Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on September 20, 2020)

 

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

:

Joy - September 20, 2020


INTRODUCTION

Joy is essential to life in Christ.

In the days of COVID-19, joy has taken a hit. So many things we enjoyed have been stripped away - social interaction, hugs, going to the movies, spending time with parents, hanging out at a friend's house, etc. People are watching to see if we have joy. We claim we are not of this world, but we often behave as though our joy is connected to here. Displaying joy in the midst of difficult circumstances definitely shows we are different.

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." 
Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13-26‬ NIV

C. S. Lewis, “Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

I.  WHAT IS JOY?

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭8-9‬ NIV)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1-5‬ NIV)

A. A grace of God - gift of God
B. A fruit of the Spirit - outgrowth of our life in Christ

II.  WHAT JOY IS NOT
A. Happiness - right circumstances

B. Joy - alright no matter what the circumstances

Dwight L. Moody said it well, “Happiness is caused by things that happen around me, and circumstances will mar it; but joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows on through the dark; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows all through persecution and opposition. It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart; a secret spring the world can’t see and doesn’t know anything about. The Lord gives His people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to Him.” 
[SOURCE: Dwight Lyman Moody as quoted by Edythe Draper, Draper’s Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry 6529.]

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James‬ ‭1‬:‭2-5‬ NIV

III.  HOW TO FIND JOY
A. Receive God's gracious gift
1. Hear
2. Believe 
a. Trust
b. Do
3. Repent
a. Stop doing bad things
b. Start doing godly things
4. Be baptized
a. For the forgiveness of your sins
b. To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
5. Live the Christian life
B. Live as one filled with the Spirit of God 
1. Joy is an attribute of God
2. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NIV‬

C. Keep in step with the Spirit

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬ NIV

1. Direction
2. Activity

Just like we have the love of God but do not always show it; we have the joy of God even when we don't feel it. Keep in step with the Spirit to keep up with the joy.


CHALLENGE

Share your joy with someone else this week. Find a way to show them, not just tell them. Express the joy in your heart. You might try serving them with joy.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word. You may want to follow Jesus. You may want to proclaim your faith. You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things). Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.

Saturday, September 12, 2020

VIDEO: 9-13-20 Sermon "CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Love”

 As we worship together "from house to house," we are grateful for your love.  Your love fills us.  Your love forces us to love others.  Your love completes us.  Your love overwhelms us.

If you cannot join us this Sunday, we invite you to sing along with the worship videos.  We encourage you to take the Lord’s Supper.  In this way, we can take communion together even though we are apart.  Pray for one another.  Watch my message CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Love.  Respond to the invitation.  Enjoy the bonus video.

WORSHIP




COMMUNION

Read ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:7-12‬ ‭NIV, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
‬‬  Here is a possible communion prayer to say before you take the bread and the juice, "Father, as we have been born of you and know you, we choose to love our neighbors.  As you have loved us, let us love the world with the same sacrificial love you demonstrated toward us.  May they see You in us.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Take the Lord's Supper.

PRAYER

Pray for God’s guidance in loving a world that does not understand love.  Pray for the witness of God’s church that we might demonstrate His love by our actions toward one another.  Pray for our own hearts as we desire to love God more.

MESSAGE

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. 


But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 


Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:13-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬





CHALLENGE

Shower someone with love this week.   Pick someone who is having great difficulty and help them understand the love of God by your actions of love.  Proclaim the love of God as you are actively loving them.  Overwhelm them with the love of God.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word at Kenwood Church.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I encourage you to speak with me via phone (248-476-8222) or an email (toddlackie@kenwoodchurch.org).  I would be honored to speak with you about what God is doing in your life and try to connect you with a community of faith in your area.

Bonus Video



CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Love (Galatians 5:13-26) Sermon Outline (a blog post for a video sermon for Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on September 13, 2020)

 CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN THE AGE OF COVID-19: Love - September 13, 2020


INTRODUCTION


Love matters most.


In the days of COVID-19, we will be judged on the same criteria as before and after the pandemic.  The measuring stick will be love.  Have we loved our neighbor as ourselves?  Did we act in love in everything?  Were we known by our love?


“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. 


But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 


Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:13-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬


The Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention -- a new word for a new thing (apart from about twenty occurrences in the Greek version of the Old Testament, it is almost non-existent before the New Testament). Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of God in Christ. It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is a matter of will rather than feeling (for Christians must love even those they dislike -- Matt. 5:44-48). It is the basic element in Christ-likeness.


Read 1 Corinthians 13 and note what these verses have to say about the primacy (vv. 1-3) and permanence (vv. 8-13) of love; note too the profile of love (vv. 4-7) which they give.

James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986


“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 


Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 


But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:1-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬


I.  SERVING ONE ANOTHER HUMBLY IN LOVE


A.  Serving one another

1.  Humbly

2.  In love


On May 2, 1962, a dramatic advertisement appeared in the San Francisco Examiner: "I don't want my husband to die in the gas chamber for a crime he did not commit. I will therefore offer my services for 10 years as a cook, maid, or housekeeper to any leading attorney who will defend him and bring about his vindication." 


One of San Francisco's greatest attorneys, Vincent Hallinan, read or heard about the ad and contacted Gladys Kidd, who had placed it. Her husband, Robert Lee Kidd, was about to be tried for the slaying of an elderly antique dealer. Kidd's fingerprints had been found on a bloodstained ornate sword in the victim's shop. During the trial, Hallinan proved that the antique dealer had not been killed by the sword, and that Kidd's fingerprints and blood on the sword got there because Kidd had once toyed with it while playfully dueling with a friend when they were both out shopping. 


The jury, after 11 hours, found Kidd to be not guilty. Attorney Hallinan refused Gladys Kidd's offer of 10 years' servitude. 

From the Book of Lists #2, p. 157


B.  Bearing with one another


“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬


1.  Humble

2.  Gentle

3.  Patient

4.  Keeping the unity of the spirit


II.  THE ONE COMMAND: “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF”


In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less."

Our Daily Bread, February 14


A.  Love is an action verb


“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:8-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬


1.  Always love

2.  Love fulfills the Law

3.  Love does “no harm”


B.  Love comes from God

1.  He is the source


“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:16-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬


2.  He completes us

a.  No fear in love

b.  We love because he first loved us

c.  We must love our brother and sister


III.  LOVE AND KEEPING IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT


A.  Crucify our passions and desires


“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

‭‭ Galatians‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬


“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬


B.  Keep in step with the Spirit


“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

‭‭ Galatians‬ ‭5:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬


“We love because he first loved us.”

1 John 4:19


“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:9-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬


“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬


CHALLENGE


Shower someone with love this week.   Pick someone who is having great difficulty and help them understand the love of God by your actions of love.  Proclaim the love of God as you are actively loving them.  Overwhelm them with the love of God.


INVITATION


It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, I would be honored to speak with you in the upper parking lot following the service about what God is doing in your life.