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“Love is More Than Lip Service” part 5 of a 7 week series
Dr. Scott E. Koenigsaecker
I Corinthians 13:1-7 ~ October 17, 2010
INTRODUCTION
"Love is simply seeking and doing the best for another."
Psychologist Dr. John Townsend
I. BECAUSE LOVE IS NOT RUDE WE MUST BE TACTFUL, NOT JUST TRUTHFUL.
A. "Love is not rude." I Corinthians 13:5
B. How to love difficult people:
1. Listen.
"Answering before listening is both stupid and rude."
Proverbs 18:13
2. Be tactful.
· "A wise, mature person…the more pleasant their words, the more persuasive they are." Proverbs 16:21
3. Watch our tone of voice.
"Stop being bitter and angry and mad at each other. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude."
Ephesians 4:31
II. BECAUSE LOVE DOES NOT DEMAND ITS OWN WAY WE MUST BE UNDERSTANDING, NOT DEMANDING.
A. "Your attitude should be the same that Jesus Christ had. Though He was God, He did not demand and cling to His rights as God. He made Himself nothing; He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form." Philippians 2:5-7
B. How to love demanding people:
"Believers shouldn't curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.” Titus 3:2
1. Be respectful.
2. Seek to identify their need.
3. Be patient.
"A person’s wisdom gives them patience.” Proverbs 19:11
III. BECAUSE LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE WE MUST BE GENTLE, NOT JUDGMENTAL.
A. "Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the
spirit." Proverbs 15:4
B. How to love disappointing people: Be willing to cut them some slack.
"Kind words heal and help. But cutting words wound and maim."
Proverbs 15:4 (The Message)
IV. BECAUSE LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS, WE MUST NOT REPEAT BUT DELETE THINGS.
A. Forgive it and forget it.
"Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives an offense." Proverbs 10:12 "When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it."
Proverbs 19:11
B. How to love destructive people:
"Don't bear a grudge against others. But settle your differences with them so you will not commit a sin because of them." Leviticus 19:17
"Love forgets mistakes." Proverbs 17:9
1. Don't repeat the offense over and over in our mind.
2. Don't repeat their offense to others.
3. Do go to them and seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
"If a believer sins against you go privately and point out the offense." Matthew 18:15
CONCLUSION