The world around us does not truly understand what love means separate and apart from God. God himself is love and without that model, mankind is left to construct its own definition which falls terribly short.
When we love as God instructs and models, then we understand its true sacrificial nature, contrasted to the selfish gratification of the world's definition.
Recognition of the difference will demand one of two outcomes - To either pick up your cross and bear it or be crushed by the weight of it...
Which will YOU choose?
5. Compelled by Love
• The Basics
• 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 8
• Love is patient, love is kind.
Love does not envy,
is not boastful, is not conceited,
5 does not act improperly,
is not selfish, is not provoked,
and does not keep a record of wrongs.
6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness
but rejoices in the truth.
7 It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
• Love is NOT SELFISH.
6. Compelled by Love
• The Problem
• Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love
and long for, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”
• Standing Firm
• Confirms our devotion to our beliefs
• Proves over time that love truly is a choice
• Proves that love endures and is truly patient
• Prepares us to share the gospel in adversity
• Consistency + Time = Opportunity
• Ephesians 6:19 – “Pray also for me, that words may be
given to me in opening my mouth boldly to
proclaim the mystery of the gospel “
7. Compelled by Love
• The Solution
• 2 Corinthians 5:14-20
• God’s love compels us
• IT will challenge you ,to challenge IT – To get involved
with it (John 3:16)
• To share the hope that is within you (1 Peter 3:15)
• To be a light , in a dark place (Philippians 2:14-16)
• Move us you to action! – (2 Corinthians 5:14-20)
8. Pick up your cross and carry it
, or be crushed by the weight
of it…