Grow Series Lesson 6

Grow In Love

Last Week: was “Grow Fruitful”

We learned that as Christians we are called to bear fruit in our lives. Christian fruit is often referred to as the fruit of the Spirit outlined for us in , but this isn’t the only type of fruit we should be producing in our lives. In fact the great commission is part of being fruitful. In we are told to Go Into All The World and make disciples. And as says, “He who wins souls is wise” So souls wining is the greatest form of fruitfulness, when its done with the fruit of the Spirit .

Today’s Lesson:

With Valentines being this week it would be appropriate to speak on the subject of Love. Let’s look at scripture this morning and discover what love is.

1 Corinthians 13 NKJV

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Love is patient

Love is kind

love is not jealous

Love is not boastful

or boastful

Love is not arrogant or rude.

Love does not insist on its own way;

Love is not irritable

Love is not resentful;

Love does not rejoice at wrong,

Love rejoices in the right.

Love bears all things,

Love believes all things,

Love hopes all things,

Love endures all things.

Love never ends.

Now that we know WHAT love is let us look at how we should grow in it:

The apostle Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica about three months after leaving them. At this time Paul was working with Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth to start its first church. He writes back to encourage the Thessalonians in their new found faith in Christ. He makes some profound comments about Brotherly love. Let’s look at a few verses from 1 Thessalonians chapter 3:

1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 NKJV

12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Verse 12

Increase = Grow

abound = exist in large quantity

One Another = Church

All = Lost

verse 13

Establish = set (as in set up and make sure as on a strong foundation)

Blameless = find no fault

Holiness = Sanctified unto God

Before God

At the Coming of Christ

Grow More and More

1 Thessalonians 4:9-

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 NKJV

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

These people already loved one another but Paul said for them to grow in love even more.

Don’t stunt the growth of love in your lives by thinking you are loving enough

We should look at relationship challenges as an opportunity to grow in Love.

Why do people fall out of love?

Matthew

Matthew 24:12 NKJV

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Jesus was talking about the end of times but in his teachings He gives us understanding of why people fall out of love.

Because of Lawlessness = Wickedness or iniquity

Love doesn’t just end overnight it grows cold

It’s more like a slow fade

Spread your roots in love

2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

Ephesians 3:14-

Ephesians 3:14–20 NKJV

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Let’s Love again.

Revelations 2:1-5

Revelation 2:1–5 NKJV

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Repent as spouses

Repent as neigbors

Repent as Parents and children

Repent as Christians

Conclusion:

If you would like to experience this love I have presented to you today, it’s as easy as stepping out of your pew and making your way to this altar for prayer. Would you come?