Speaker Sermon/Lesson Title Audio   Video  Text     MS Word Category Bobby Stafford Does This Describe Your Love?       Love

Does This Describe Your Love?

Introduction:

“It has been a long day.  Jerusalem is packed with Passover guest, most of who clamor for a glimpse of the Teacher.  The spring sun is warm.  The streets are dry.  And the disciples are a long way from home.  A splash of cool water would be refreshing.

The disciples enter the room, one by one, and take their places around the table.  On the wall hangs a tower, and on the floor sit a pitcher and a basin.  Any one of the disciples could volunteer for the job, but not one does.

After a few moments Jesus stands and removes His outer garment.  He wraps a servant’s girdle around His waist, takes up the basin, and kneels before one of the disciples.  He unlaces a sandal and gently lifts the foot, places it in the basin, covers it with water, and begins to bathe it.

One grimy foot after another, Jesus works His way down the row.  In Jesus’ day the washing of feet was a task reserved not just for servants but for the lowest of servants.

In this case the One with the towel and basin is the King of the universe.

Hands that shaped the stars now wash away filth.  Fingers that formed mountains now massage toes.  And the one before whom all nations will one day kneel now kneels before His disciples.  Hours before His own death, Jesus’ concern is singular.

He wants His disciples to know how much He loves them.”

Source:  On Calvary’s Hill

Does this type of love describe you? 

Body:

I.            Love Is Patient

·        Love endures, even through difficult times, times of discomfort and suffering.  (James 5:7-11) “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  You also be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.  Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!  My brethren take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.  Indeed, we count them blessed who endure.  You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” NKJV

·       God is patient with us.  (II Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” NKJV

·       Many marriages end up in divorce due to a lack of patience.  Patience helps us through the difficult times. 

II.          Love Is Kind

·        Love is good.  Love is pleasant.  It shows you care about the other person and wants what is best for that one.  (Ephesians 4:32) “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” NKJV (Colossians 3:12) “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; NKJV

·       Love goes the extra mile and is shown in all the little things you do for the one you love.  (Romans 12:9-17) “Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil.  Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another.  Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.  Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.” NKJV 

III.        Love Is Not Envious

·       Envious – This means wanting to be what others are or to have what others have.  (Psalm 37:1) “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.” NKJV

·       Remember how envy led Joseph’s brothers to sell him off into eventual slavery. 

IV.        Love Is Not Boastful or Arrogant

·       Love does not go bragging about how great it is – is not conceited.  (Psalm 10:3-4) “For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.  The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” NKJV   

·       Arrogance and pride accompany boasting.  Love does not have the “bighead,” does not think it is better than anyone else.

·        See Proverbs 16:5. “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” NKJV (James 4:6) “But He gives more grace.  Therefore, He says: ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” NKJV 

V.          Love Is Not Rude

·       Rude – This is a lack of consideration for the feelings of others.  Rudeness is rampant in our society.  Love requires good manners – “please” and “thank you” are still much needed in our world.  We should appreciate those closest to us instead of showing ugliness and contempt.  Try showing kindness instead. 

VI.        Love Does Not Seek Its Own

·       Do not be wrapped up in one’s own concerns as “looking out for number one.”

·       Put God and others first, instead of one’s self.  (I Corinthians 10:24-33) “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.  Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; for ‘the earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness.’  If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake; for ‘the earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness.’  ‘Conscience,’ I say, not your own, but that of the other.  For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?  But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?  Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense, either to the Jews or the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” NKJV

·       Love is humble.  (Philippians 2::3-4) “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” NKJV 

VII.      Love Is Not Easily Provoked

·        Do not always be ready for an argument or a fight as if you have a short fuse.  (Ecclesiastes 7:9) “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.” NKJV

·        Love is not easily angered.  It is not irritable where the slightest thing sets you off.  (James 1:19-20) “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” NKJV 

VIII.    Love Thinks No Evil

·       Love does not keep a record of wrongs done to them in the past.  Love does not remind others of how they failed before.  Love is not resentful.

·        Love is ready and willing to forgive when a person repents.  (Luke 17:3-4) “Take heed to yourselves, If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” NKJV Forgiveness does not depend upon how many times someone sinned against you.  (Colossians 3:13) “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” NKJV 

IX.        Love Does Not Rejoice in Sin

·        Love does not “get a kick” out of others’ troubles or misfortunes.  (Proverbs 24:17) “Do not rejoice when your enemy fails, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;” NKJV

·        Love does not delight in evil.  (Romans 1:32) “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” NKJV It does rejoice in truth.  (II John 4) “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.” NKJV 

X.          Love Bears, Believes, Hopes, and Endures All Things

·       Bears – To love someone means you help them with the consequences of their sins.  This means we are protective of others and sensitive to their feelings.  (Proverbs 10:12) “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” NKJV (Galatians 6:1-2) “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” NKJV

·       Believes – Be trusting and trustworthy, faithful.

·       Hopes – This is opposite of cynical.  Even though this world disappoints, the next will not.  (Romans 15:13) “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” NKJV

·       Endures – Love keeps going regardless of what happens, despite the mistakes and failures, “perseveres in tribulations” (Romans 12:12) “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” NKJV Some people get married thinking that if it gets difficult, they will get a divorce.  That is not love!

Conclusion:

Love never fails!  Has this lesson on what love looks like been describing you?  Do others [spouse, children, friends, coworkers] see these qualities in you?

Bobby Stafford 

February 18, 2018