10/31/2010


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“Love That Lasts Forever” part 7 of a 7 week series

Dr. Scott Koenigsaecker
I Corinthians 13:1-7 ~ October 31, 2010

INTRODUCTION

A. "I will show you my love forever.  So says the Lord who saves you."
                                                                                Isaiah 54:8 (The English Version)
"I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you."
                                                                                John 15:12
"Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up."                                       I Corinthians 13:7 (God’s Word)

I.  LASTING LOVE EXTENDS GRACE.

     A.  "Love never stops being patient."  I Corinthians 13:7a (God’s Word)
"…puts up with anything."  (The Message)
"…patiently accepts all things (New Contemporary Version)
"...Never gives up" (New Living Translation)

B. It is essential that we extend grace to those we love.
"There is no one who always does what is right, not even one."
                                                                                          Romans 3:10

      C. We should extend grace because we will need grace extended to us.
 "Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you."                     Romans 15:7
         
"Be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love."                                     Ephesians 4:2

"The fool who provokes their family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left"                                                                         Proverbs 11:29

II. LASTING LOVE EXPRESSES FAITH.

A. Love and faith are intertwined because love is built on trust. 
"Love never stops believing" I Corinthians 13:7b (God’s Word)
 "…always trusts" (New International Version)
 "…never loses faith" (New Living Translation)

B. There are three kinds of people in the world:
·       Gullible people----they believe anything
·       Cynical people---they don't believe anything
·       Healthy people---they believe the best

C. When we believe in people when we are willing to give them a second chance.

D. "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
                                                             Galatians 5:6 (New International Version)

III. LASTING LOVE EXPECTS THE BEST.
   
     A.  "Love never stops hoping." I Corinthians 13:7c (God’s Word)
"...always expects the best."  (The Living Bible)
"…always looks for the best."  (The Message)

B. Are we expecting the best or the worst?

C. Treat them the way we want them to become.

IV. LASTING LOVE ENDURES THE WORST.

     A.  "Love never gives up."  I Corinthians 13:7d (God’s Word)
"…always expects the best" (The Living Bible)
"…always looks for the best" (The Message)

B. The secret to lasting love is determination.

CONCLUSION

10/24/2010


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“Love Can Tame Your Temper” part 6 of a 7 week series

Dr. Scott Koenigsaecker
I Corinthians 3:1-7 ~ October 24, 2010

INTRODUCTION

A. Anger is the most confusing emotion we have as human beings.

B. Being angry is not always a sin.

C. Anger is not the opposite of love, apathy is.

D. Anger, if not managed, will not only become a sin but will be very  destructive.

I.  RESOLVE TO MANAGE YOUR ANGER.

A. "A fool gives full vent to their anger, but the wise keep themselves  under control."                                                            Proverbs 29:11

B. We need to pinpoint the source of our anger.
·       Anger can be caused or triggered through four main channels:
1.     Frustration—the thwarting of what we want
2.     Hurt---physical or emotional pain
3.     Conditioned response---learned early in life
4.     Instinctive protection (fear)--motivating force and courage needed to overcome an obstacle and defend ourselves.
·       These channels of emotion produce:
Ø  Passive or hidden aggression (Repression or Scapegoating)
Ø  Active or direct attack (Ventilation)

C. Remember the cost.
"A hot temper gets one into all kinds of trouble."                 Proverbs 29:22

 "The fool who provokes their family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left."                               Proverbs 11:29

D. The best suggestion is….
"A stupid person gives free rein to their anger; the wise waits and lets it grow cool."                                                          Proverbs 29:11

II. RELEASE YOUR ANGER APPROPRIATELY.

A. "If you become angry, don't let your anger lead you into sin."                                                                                                      Ephesians 4:26

B. Don't suppress it, don't repress it, don't express it.

C. Change the way you think, change the way you communicate.
 "A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up."
                                                                                Proverbs 15:1
·       Change the "script" of your angry conversations.
Ø  Rehearse the way you want to respond (Anticipate your triggers)
Ø  Respond without lashing out (Interrupt your physical response)

D. Learn to rely on God for help.
"Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say."                                                                          Psalm 141:3 (NCV)

   "The fruit of the Spirit is…patience…self-control."       Galatians 5:22

  CONCLUSION


10/17/2010


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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

10/10/2010


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“How to Say I Love You” part 4 of a 7 week series

Dr. Scott E. Koenigsaecker
James 3:2-12 ~ October 10, 2010

INTRODUCTION

A. Why what we say is so important:
·       Our words direct where we go.
·       Our words can destroy what we have.
·       Our words display who we are.

B. “Words flow out of what fills the heard.”  Matthew 12:34

“Your souls aren’t harmed by what you eat, but by what you think and say.”                                             Mark 7:15

I.  WE LOVE PEOPLE THROUGH SHARING HONEST WORDS.

A. “…speaking the truth in love.”                         Matthew 4:15a

B. Jesus is a good example of honesty. (Matthew 16:21-23)

C. Honesty is healthy.
“An open rebuke is better than hidden love” Proverbs 27:5

D. Loving honesty is not brutal.
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
1 Corinthians 13:6

II. WE SHOW OUR LOVE BY SPEAKING CAREFUL WORDS.

­A. Be careful when you argue.
“In your anger do not sin…do not give the devil a foothold.”                                                          Ephesians 4:26-27
·       “Be careful of the words you say.  Keep them soft and sweet.  You never know from day to day, which ones you’ll have to eat.”    Poet & Author Will Rogers

B. Be careful not to gossip.
“A gossip separates close friends.”          Proverbs 16:28b
·       The 1-11-55 Principle

C.  Be careful not to say too much.
“Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.”        Proverbs 21:23 The Message)

III. A LOVING PERSON BUILDS OTHERS UP THROUGH THEIR WORDS.

A. “Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.”                                Ephesians 4:29

B.  It helps to T.H.I.N.K. before we se\peak:
·       T-is it truthful?
·       H-is it helpful?
·       I-is it inspirational?
·       N-is it necessary?
·       K-is it kind?

C. Building others up is about speaking:
·       Words that are kind.
“Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.”                                          Proverbs 12:25
·       Words that are gentle.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”                                       Proverbs 15:1
·       Words that are pleasant.
“Pleasant words promote instruction.” Proverbs 16:21
·       Words that are wise.
“Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as a sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.”   Proverbs 12:18

10/03/2010


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“How to Love Like Jesus” part 3 of a 7 week series

Dr. Scott Koenigsaecker
John 13:31-36 ~ October 3, 2010

INTRODUCTION
 
"I'm giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you."                                                                             John 13:34

"I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done to you."
                                                                                John 13:15

I.  JESUS ACCEPTS US, SO WE MUST ACCEPT OTHERS.

A. Jesus accepts us.
"The Father gives me my people.  Every one of them will come to me, and I will always accept them." John 6:37 (New Contemporary Version)

B. Jesus accepts us so that we can accept Him.
"God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it but to save it!"                                                                                               John 3:17

C. Jesus chose to accept us and make us acceptable to God.
"For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous."                                                                       I Peter 3:18

D. So, we must love others in spite of their imperfections.
"Love is patient and kind….is not rude…it is not irritable…keeps no record of wrongs…Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful."                                                                  I Corinthians 13:4-7

II. JESUS VALUES US, SO WE MUST VALUE OTHERS.

A. You are infinitely valuable to God.
"What is the price of five sparrows--two copper coins?  Yet God does not forget a single one of them….So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."      Luke 12:6-7

B. What makes something valuable?

·       The first is who made it.
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
                                                                                          Ephesians 2:10
·        Second, value depends on what someone will pay.
"He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."                                                 I Peter 1:19

C. God esteems us and so we should esteem others.
"Treat everyone you meet with dignity."              I Peter 2:17 (Message) "Respect everyone…and love…."                                        I Peter 2:17

III. JESUS FORGIVES US, SO WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS.

A. God is not a wrong keeper.  He is a forgiver of our faults.
"I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am.  I will not hold your sins against you."                                Isaiah 43:25

B. Forgiveness is a concrete expression of God's love for us.
"Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes."     Ephesians 1:4

C. So, we must forgive others.
"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."                                                      Colossians 3:13

D. "Forgive, and you will be forgiven."                                        Luke 6:37

CONCLUSION