“LABOR MOTIVATED BY LOVE”

· A healthy church is known for its faith.

· A healthy church is known for its love.

· A healthy church is known for its hope.

- Are we a healthy church? -

THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 12; 4:9-10 2 Thessalonians 1:3

IT MAKES SENSE!

1. The 2nd greatest commandment – Matthew 22:37-39 – Love your neighbor.

2. The way of love – Ephesians 5:1-2 – Follow God’s example and walk in the way of love.

3. The new commandment – John 13:34-35 –

• Love one another, as I have loved you.
• By this, everyone will know you are My disciples (“a bridge to the world”)

4. The “one anothers” –

5. “Terrible Times” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5

lovers of self vs lovers of God

lovers of money vs lovers of the good

lovers of pleasure vs lovers of people

6. The force behind ministry – 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 4:16 – If I do not love ..

7. Labor motivated by love – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 – When the way of loving service gets difficult.

labor = “kopos”

love = “agape”

What will it take for our church to be known for its love?