LABOR OF LOVE - 2
7-17-11
PASTOR LES SANDERS
MILFORD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
I. WAYS TO BUILD OTHERS UP
A. BY COMMITTING OURSELVES TO BUILDING EACH OTHER UP
DETERMINE THIS: “FROM THIS DAY FORWARD I’M GOING TO MAKE IT ONE OF MY GOALS IN MINISTRY TO BUILD UP THOSE AROUND ME.”
II. BY RECOGNIZING THE VALUE OF EVERY PERSON
Romans 14:15(NIV) 15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
A. PRAISE THE LORD GOD IS NOT DONE WITH THEM!
Hebrews 13:19-21(KJV) 19But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1. THEY MAY BE OBNOXIOUS;
2. THEY MAY BE IMMATURE;
3. THEY MAY BE DISAGREEABLE,
B. CHRIST DIED FOR THEM.
1. IF GOD VALUED THEM HOW MUCH SHOULD WE VALUE THEM?
2. JUST LIKE HE DID FOR YOU!
3. DON’T FORGET THAT!
1 Thess 5:10-11(NIV) 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
C. WHEN YOU START TO GET UPSET WITH SOMEONE THINK,
1. EXCEPT FOR THE GRACE OF THE LORD, SO BE I!
2. CHRIST LOVES AND DIED FOR THAT PERSON.
3. HOW PRECIOUS TO GOD ARE THEY?
4. GOD VALUES THIS PERSON NOT FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE OR WILL DO BUT FOR THEM,
III. THIS IS A IMPORTANT LABOR OF LOVE!
Colossians 3:23-25(NIV) 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
A. SOMETIMES I THINK I HAVE PUT IT IN THE NICE TO DO CATEGORY,
1. AFTER I DO MY BIBLE STUDY
2. AFTER I DO, DO, DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING!
B. SOMETIMES I WANT OTHERS TO DESERVE MY ENERGY!
1. IF THEY WERE ONLY NICER,
2. IF I HELP THEM THEY WILL BE RIGHT BACK IN THE SAME PLACE AGAIN, WHAT’S THE USE?
3. WE GET CYNICAL, CRITICAL, AND COLD
4. LOVE IS THE HEART OF GOD,
Colossians 4:12-13(KJV) 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
C. LOVE CAN NOT BE A HAFT HEARTED EFFORT!
1. PART TIME OBEDIENCE MEANS PART TIME DISOBEDIENCE
2. WHAT RIGHT DO I HAVE TO HURT PEOPLE CHRIST DIED FOR?
a) I DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT.
3. THAT SHOWS HOW VALUABLE AND IMPORTANT THEY ARE.
NO WONDER 1 COR 13 INDICATES THAT
ANYTHING NOT DONE IN LOVE IS WORTHLESS!!!!!