Love In Action

Love In Action **Declaration: ● ● ● ● ● My eyes are on Jesus My heart is tuned to His Spirit My ears are listening to His voice My mind will believe what He says My voice will declare the truth of His word Today, we’re continuing our teaching series “Blueprints”. In this series, we’ve discovered who our foundation is(Jesus) and how He’s equipped us with gifts to do His will on the earth. “Prayer in action is love. Love in action is service” - Mother Teresa Mark 10:45 (NIV) 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” We won't be remembered for the things we teach. We will be remembered for how we treat each other. -this isn't to say that teaching is unimportant, but the motivation and care we apply is critical. As I read Romans 12, verse 9 & the heading caught my attention: "Love in Action" The NLT starts off“Don't just pretend to love others, really love them…” What?? We can pretend to love others??? This wasn't sarcastic, it was a warning. Jesus told us and showed us Real love John 15:12–13 (NLT) 12This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Read tPt too! John 15:12–13 (TPT) 12“So this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you. 13For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends. How did Jesus show His love to them? He taught them and walked with them daily. Even on their bad days…they were just like us! Peter was a potty-mouthed fisherman, Matthew was a tax collector, then you have Simon the Zealot (basically a trained assassin), don’t forget the two most prejudice(learned behavior) guys of the group - THE SONS OF THUNDER!!! Luke 15:17–24 (NLT) - (Summarized) 17“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’ 20“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. So, Jesus lived his life as a blueprint for us. How can we be like Jesus and do what He did?? Acts 2:1–4 (NIV) 1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. We have to have what Jesus had, what he promised and poured out at Pentecost - the Holy Spirit!! On that day, Jesus sent the one who could not only transform us into the new creation He spoke of, but also the one who would equip us with the power to truly serve one another. We can't operate the gifts apart from him! We can't even love each other without his help!! Romans 12:9–21 (NIV) 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 1 Corinthians 13:1–3 (NIV) 1If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. He even reminds them that these things will all pass away, but love won't! 1 Peter 3:8–9 (NIV) 8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. If we say anything about others, let it be this: Philippians 1:3–6 (NIV) 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. CLOSING How can you serve someone today? Are you called to prophesy? To lay hands for healing? Have you asked Jesus to reveal His gifts in you? What is your purpose in the body? Are you walking in that purpose?