WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.519 Oh yeah, there we go. If you have the church Bible, page 1187, 1187. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:09.519 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.899 And in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia. 00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:40.780 Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more. 00:00:41.320 --> 00:00:44.420 And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. 00:00:44.939 --> 00:00:48.939 You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you. 00:00:49.179 --> 00:00:52.000 So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. 00:00:52.519 --> 00:00:55.480 And so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 00:00:56.200 --> 00:00:57.539 Johnny, let me just pray for you. 00:00:57.539 --> 00:01:00.820 Father God, thank you for Johnny. 00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:05.760 Thank you for the amazing servant he is to this church, faithfully bringing your word to us every week. 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:08.900 We ask that you fill him with your Holy Spirit. 00:01:09.379 --> 00:01:12.659 That it be your message that he preaches today, not his own. 00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:16.640 And fill him with wisdom, fill him with your words. 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:19.180 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:20.739 --> 00:01:21.400 Thanks, Charlie. 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:27.940 Thanks so much, Connor. 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:34.680 Thank you for leading today and for directing us to the theme of love. 00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:40.880 I look forward to catching up with you afterwards over tea and coffee if you're able to stay. 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:43.580 That'll be good to do. 00:01:43.579 --> 00:01:48.780 Let's keep our Bibles open in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. 00:01:51.420 --> 00:01:53.019 You can follow along. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:04.920 So William Grimshaw was a minister in the north of England in the mid-18th century. 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:09.699 I never met him personally, but he was obviously quite a character. 00:02:09.699 --> 00:02:13.659 I'm well known for his dealings with his congregation. 00:02:14.519 --> 00:02:24.379 And on one occasion, it came to his attention that a well-to-do couple in his church had been spouting, boasting about their good Christian lives. 00:02:25.119 --> 00:02:29.219 Mr. Grimshaw didn't like such talk, so decided to confront them. 00:02:29.799 --> 00:02:35.599 So one cold night, he dressed up as a beggar and went knocking on their door. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:41.780 His only request from this couple was that they'd give him a piece of bread and somewhere to sleep. 00:02:42.519 --> 00:02:43.919 The husband refused. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:51.159 Mr. Grimshaw, still in disguise, asked again, pleading on their Christian charity. 00:02:52.180 --> 00:02:55.280 Once again, there was a refusal to help. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:03:05.979 Well, that was when Mr. Grimshaw took off his disguise and revealed his true identity to the shock and horror of the elderly couple. 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:13.500 And he berated them at the door for their hypocrisy, their hard-heartedness and their lack of love. 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:19.860 Now, the method may have been pretty harsh, although quite funny, I think. 00:03:20.460 --> 00:03:22.900 The message was very clear. 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:27.520 Christians should be known for their love. 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:33.040 In fact, love is the mark of genuine Christianity. 00:03:34.140 --> 00:03:43.060 True Christians, as our text says this morning, are to love each other more and more. 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:46.480 And that's the theme today. 00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:48.500 Three things we're going to look at. 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:50.500 How we're taught to love. 00:03:51.139 --> 00:03:52.659 How we grow in love. 00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:55.000 And how we work out love. 00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:58.979 How we're taught, how we grow, and how we work it out. 00:04:00.179 --> 00:04:04.659 First, we are taught to love. 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:10.120 So it's good to see you here this morning, class. 00:04:10.339 --> 00:04:11.759 You are all in good time. 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:16.000 And today, we're going to learn how to love. 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:20.039 In the Bible, God tells us how to love. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:26.000 Our teacher, Connor, already told us that love fulfills the law. 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:31.860 So I'd like you to look at the screen and follow with me in our learning this morning. 00:04:32.719 --> 00:04:34.379 Can you read this verse with me? 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:44.180 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:45.740 I am the Lord. 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:49.540 Leviticus 19, verse 18. 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:52.259 So your homework, it's very simple. 00:04:52.819 --> 00:04:57.180 Go home and love your neighbor as yourself. 00:04:58.860 --> 00:04:59.740 Simples. 00:05:01.180 --> 00:05:02.439 Or is it? 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:13.379 You see, we don't have to go very far into our day when we realize that loving others is actually very difficult and very hard. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:16.839 Forgiving others is hard. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:20.319 Keeping a grudge is easier. 00:05:21.659 --> 00:05:23.259 Serving others is difficult. 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:28.819 Whereas loving yourself is much, much easier. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:33.639 You see, the problem is, I could sit in a class. 00:05:33.980 --> 00:05:35.420 We could all sit in a class. 00:05:35.540 --> 00:05:38.319 We can all learn about love for others. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.779 We can look at every verse in the Bible about love. 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:45.019 We can know the Hebrew for love. 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:48.899 We can talk about hesed, steadfast love. 00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:54.699 We could maybe tell the difference in our Greek between agape and Philadelphia. 00:05:54.699 --> 00:05:58.740 We know what love is. 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:02.860 But we could sit in any amounts of classes. 00:06:02.860 --> 00:06:07.379 We could go to MBC College and learn all about love. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:12.759 But that doesn't mean to say we will love. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:18.319 And the reason is, we need to be taught to love. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:19.839 Look at verse 9. 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:23.919 Now, about your love for one another. 00:06:24.859 --> 00:06:26.719 We do not need to write to you. 00:06:27.419 --> 00:06:34.339 For you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 00:06:35.679 --> 00:06:38.799 Now, that doesn't mean knowing a whole lot of information. 00:06:39.979 --> 00:06:43.799 Rather, it requires a heart transformation. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:49.520 It means that God teaches us inside. 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:55.220 That God works in our hearts by his Holy Spirit. 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:59.620 It's actually a call to conversion itself. 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:04.580 The prophets, people like Ezekiel and Jeremiah, 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:11.960 looked forward to the day when God would teach his people by his Spirit. 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:15.099 But here's what Ezekiel says. 00:07:17.599 --> 00:07:20.139 This is what God says through Ezekiel, rather. 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:22.659 He says, I will give you a new heart, 00:07:23.039 --> 00:07:26.120 and I will put my spirit in you, 00:07:26.799 --> 00:07:29.599 and move you to follow my decrees, 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:33.259 and be very careful to keep my laws. 00:07:33.919 --> 00:07:38.039 So all the laws and all the decrees that we can read about in Scripture, 00:07:38.579 --> 00:07:41.579 all about how we should love God and love one another, 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:44.500 and how they struggle to do that, 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:47.560 God says, I'm going to send my Spirit, 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:53.839 who will enable you to be able to love as I commanded. 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:57.019 Jeremiah said something similar, 00:07:57.419 --> 00:08:03.379 where he said God's laws would actually be written or engraved on your heart. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:10.120 Now thankfully, we live in an age when the Spirit of God has come. 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:12.939 So when we turn to Christ, 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:16.420 when we repent of our sins as we trust in him, 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:21.100 he gives us, he works in us by his Holy Spirit. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:25.480 God teaches us by his Spirit, 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:33.480 enabling us to love one another in a way that is not possible by ourselves. 00:08:35.580 --> 00:08:37.200 Here's how Paul put it. 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:40.899 I think this is a helpful reference. 00:08:42.180 --> 00:08:44.100 He's writing to the church in Rome. 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:44.500 He says, 00:08:44.500 --> 00:09:00.820 You see, loving each other is not about learning memory verses. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:05.059 It's not about the command to learn. 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:07.919 It's not about information. 00:09:08.859 --> 00:09:13.339 It's about transformation of our lives on the inside. 00:09:13.859 --> 00:09:20.419 It's an overflow of God's love that will bubble out towards others. 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:26.679 By his Spirit, he enables us to do what we could never do ourselves. 00:09:28.339 --> 00:09:30.699 You might think of it a bit like this, 00:09:31.819 --> 00:09:34.819 of two young lads who turn up to football training. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:38.540 Neither of them have ever gone to training before. 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:40.020 It's their first time. 00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:41.540 They arrive down at the pitches. 00:09:42.340 --> 00:09:44.240 The first one is unsure what to do. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:45.360 Do I pick the ball up? 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:45.980 Do I kick it? 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:46.980 Do I hand pass it? 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:47.879 Which way? 00:09:48.040 --> 00:09:50.220 What do I do? 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:53.900 The second lad is straight in there, 00:09:54.260 --> 00:09:55.240 in the thick of it, 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.580 kicking, passing, 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:59.160 and he's got all the skills to go. 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.860 And his friend says to him, 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:03.620 Well, how do you know what to do? 00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:05.080 How do you learn so quick? 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:07.039 Well, he says, 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:08.799 My Father taught me. 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:10.940 He learned me. 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:17.460 You see, he already had those abilities within him. 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:20.620 Now, I know it's not a perfect illustration, 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.280 but in a sense, 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:27.460 it's reminding us that we too need to be taught by God the Father. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:30.879 It's much more than just learning information. 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:34.840 It must be an internal transformation of our hearts. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:38.019 It's a supernatural work of God. 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:41.759 We cannot do this on our own. 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:46.299 We must be taught by God. 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:50.939 So first, how are we going to love? 00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:53.779 Well, we must first be taught by God. 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:55.939 We must become Christians. 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:01.019 Second, we're to grow in love. 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:04.379 Now, this church that Paul is writing to, 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:07.679 we're a church that loved each other deeply. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:11.500 We see that if you go back to chapter 1 and verse 3. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:16.579 Chapter 1 and verse 3. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:17.679 He says, 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:19.740 We remember before our God and Father 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:21.879 your work produced by faith, 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:26.639 your labor prompted by love. 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:28.759 So all their serving, 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:29.500 all their doing, 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:30.340 all their work 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:33.840 came from a heart filled with love. 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:37.419 And have a look at chapter 3, verse 6. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:41.039 This is after Paul had gone away 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:44.139 and he sends Timothy to see how the church is doing. 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.319 And he writes and he says, 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.480 chapter 3, verse 6, 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:50.159 Timothy has just now come to us from you 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:53.120 and has brought good news about your faith 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.480 and love. 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:59.679 And chapter 4, verse 10. 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.299 And in fact, 00:12:02.439 --> 00:12:05.120 you do love all of God's family 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:07.039 throughout Macedonia. 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:10.539 So they didn't just love one another deeply. 00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:12.439 Their love was infectious. 00:12:12.699 --> 00:12:14.059 It spread beyond them 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:17.460 to the other local churches around them. 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:20.639 But, 00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:23.439 it seems that wasn't enough. 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:25.879 Look at the rest of verse 10. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:28.639 Yet we urge you, 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:30.120 brothers and sisters, 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.019 to do so 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:33.439 more 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.960 and more. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.699 Now I'm thankful, 00:12:38.199 --> 00:12:39.500 and I hope you are too, 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.639 to be in a church 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:42.100 where people 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:43.659 sincerely 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:45.019 and deeply 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.100 love you. 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:48.539 You're a people who give 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:50.480 generously when there's need. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:53.399 you pray and care for one another 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:54.820 when you're facing struggles. 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:57.220 You serve diligently 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.300 and continually 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.659 in ministries 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.800 in the life of the church. 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:02.460 Your love does 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:05.060 overflow to one another. 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:08.399 Yet we urge you, 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.720 brothers and sisters, 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.460 to do so 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:13.500 more 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.860 and more. 00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:17.980 Johnny, 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:18.740 come on, 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:20.120 you can't be serious. 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:21.180 I mean, 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:22.419 I do love. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.940 Do you not realise 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:25.300 how much I give? 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.960 You want me to love 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:27.940 more 00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:29.639 and more? 00:13:31.539 --> 00:13:32.940 Sounds like a stick 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:34.100 to beat us with. 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:36.139 You must do better. 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:38.440 You must work harder. 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:40.279 Love more 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:41.220 and more. 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:42.940 In fact, 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:43.600 it can easily 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.580 begin to feel 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.060 that I must 00:13:46.060 --> 00:13:46.940 do more 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:47.500 and more. 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:48.700 If God is going 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:49.480 to love me 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.480 and accept me, 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.899 I've got to do 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.899 more and more. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:53.639 What I'm doing 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.540 is not enough. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.060 I must do, 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:57.279 note to self, 00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:58.460 do more 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.160 acts 00:13:59.160 --> 00:14:00.139 of love. 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:03.019 And if I do 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.620 more 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.620 and more, 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.980 God will love me 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.920 more 00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:08.740 and more. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.600 Now, 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.560 that's a terrible 00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:12.659 mistake to fall 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.000 into. 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.500 We mustn't think 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:14.980 like that. 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:16.399 This isn't a stick 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.519 to beat us with. 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.320 Rather, 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.600 it's an encouragement 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:21.879 to grow us. 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.960 Let me help us 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:26.040 think this through 00:14:26.040 --> 00:14:26.899 a little bit more, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.259 this more 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.519 and more. 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.060 Have a look 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.139 on the screen here. 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.720 There's a verse 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:36.480 from 1 Peter. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.620 It's not 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.680 more and more, 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.620 but it's 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.060 once 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.740 and for all. 00:14:44.680 --> 00:14:45.560 It's talking 00:14:45.560 --> 00:14:46.220 about the death 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:46.720 of Jesus. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.159 It said, 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:48.300 Christ died 00:14:48.300 --> 00:14:49.320 for sins 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:51.120 once 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.500 for all. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.500 The righteous 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.820 for the unrighteous 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:57.220 to bring you 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:57.800 to God. 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:00.360 It's telling us 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.379 that Christ's 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.680 death 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:03.039 was a once 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:04.080 and for all 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:04.500 act 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.659 by which we 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.399 are made 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.120 right 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.419 before God. 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.360 It's like 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:10.940 what we looked 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:11.460 at earlier, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.419 being taught 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.240 by God. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.940 It's a one-off 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:15.960 act 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:17.299 where we are 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:17.879 converted, 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.759 we are changed, 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.379 we become 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.039 Christians. 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:21.659 That means 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:22.620 God has forgiven 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:22.980 me, 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.000 he's accepted 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.240 me, 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.039 he loves me. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:25.879 That will 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.419 never, 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:26.960 ever, 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:28.539 ever change. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:30.000 it's once 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.579 and for all. 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.419 There's nothing 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:34.059 I can do 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:34.799 to make God 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:35.679 love me more 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.679 and there's 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:37.500 nothing I can do 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.199 to make God 00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:39.099 love me less. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:40.199 It's once 00:15:40.199 --> 00:15:41.459 and for all. 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:43.299 And now 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:43.919 that I have 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:45.079 been loved 00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:46.039 by God, 00:15:46.819 --> 00:15:47.980 I am now 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.779 to grow 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:49.939 in my love 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:50.679 for others. 00:15:51.339 --> 00:15:52.259 I am to 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:53.419 please God 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:54.939 by loving 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:55.599 others. 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.059 Have a look 00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:58.059 in Thessalonians 00:15:58.059 --> 00:15:59.779 chapter 4 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:01.219 verse 1. 00:16:02.239 --> 00:16:02.939 We get 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.399 the same 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.339 phrase here, 00:16:04.859 --> 00:16:05.379 the more 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:05.839 and more 00:16:05.839 --> 00:16:06.479 phrase. 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:08.039 Let's read 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.919 from verse 1. 00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.459 As for other 00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:10.939 matters, 00:16:11.099 --> 00:16:11.619 brothers and 00:16:11.619 --> 00:16:12.000 sisters, 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.599 we instructed 00:16:13.599 --> 00:16:14.379 you how to 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:14.959 live in order 00:16:14.959 --> 00:16:15.539 to please 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.899 God as 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.479 in fact 00:16:17.479 --> 00:16:18.079 you are 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:18.539 living. 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:19.879 Now we 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.479 ask you 00:16:20.479 --> 00:16:21.079 and urge 00:16:21.079 --> 00:16:21.599 you in 00:16:21.599 --> 00:16:22.039 the Lord 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.859 Jesus to 00:16:22.859 --> 00:16:23.579 do this 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:24.939 more 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:26.279 and more. 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:28.259 verse 10. 00:16:29.219 --> 00:16:29.719 And in 00:16:29.719 --> 00:16:30.059 fact, 00:16:30.619 --> 00:16:31.279 you are 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:31.759 pleasing 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.219 God. 00:16:32.359 --> 00:16:33.019 You do 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.939 love all 00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:34.459 of God's 00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:34.839 family 00:16:34.839 --> 00:16:35.399 throughout 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.159 Macedonia, 00:16:36.579 --> 00:16:37.219 yet we 00:16:37.219 --> 00:16:38.099 urge you 00:16:38.099 --> 00:16:38.839 brothers and 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:39.579 sisters to 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.339 do so 00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:41.859 more 00:16:41.859 --> 00:16:43.219 and more. 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.459 It's not 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:46.000 more and 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.459 more so 00:16:46.459 --> 00:16:47.019 that God 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:47.639 will love 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.199 me more 00:16:48.199 --> 00:16:48.639 and more. 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:49.539 It's 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:50.219 God 00:16:50.219 --> 00:16:51.000 does 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.859 love you 00:16:51.859 --> 00:16:53.359 once 00:16:53.359 --> 00:16:53.779 and for 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.179 all. 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.399 it will 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:55.699 never 00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.179 cease, 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:56.579 it will 00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:56.819 never 00:16:56.819 --> 00:16:57.199 end. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.059 Therefore, 00:16:58.479 --> 00:16:59.500 I will 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.699 in response 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:01.659 seek to 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.459 grow in 00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:02.979 my love 00:17:02.979 --> 00:17:03.719 for others 00:17:03.719 --> 00:17:05.059 more 00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.619 and more. 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.480 But is 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.139 it really 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:10.799 possible? 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.099 I mean, 00:17:12.159 --> 00:17:12.859 think about 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:13.200 it. 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.159 All the 00:17:14.159 --> 00:17:14.659 loving we 00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:14.940 do, 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:15.579 is it 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.079 possible 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.419 that I 00:17:17.419 --> 00:17:17.940 can love 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:18.960 you more 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.440 and you 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:19.899 can love 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:20.480 me more? 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:22.220 well, 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:22.680 yes it 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.140 is. 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.680 But not 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.480 by sheer 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.259 determination, 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.480 not by 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.140 sheer will 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:28.440 power, 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.220 I must 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:29.720 love more, 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.220 I must 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:30.700 love more, 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.200 I must 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.839 love more. 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.420 No, 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.440 instead we 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:34.960 come in 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.680 our weakness 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:37.180 and we 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.839 ask God 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:38.460 to enable 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:38.900 us to 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:39.299 do what 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:39.860 we cannot 00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:40.259 do, 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.099 which is 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:41.799 to love. 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:43.579 Look at 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.319 chapter 3 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.240 verse 12. 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.480 It's a 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:47.839 wonderful 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.660 little prayer. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:52.440 chapter 3 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:53.160 verse 12. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.220 May the 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.599 Lord make 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.440 your love 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.740 increase 00:17:57.740 --> 00:18:00.180 and overflow 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.960 for each 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.539 other and 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.799 for everyone 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.440 else. 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:06.420 Lord, 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:08.220 fill me 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.460 with your 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:09.960 love. 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.019 Pour 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.860 into 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:14.319 my life 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.640 your love 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.380 by the 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:16.880 power of 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:17.240 the Holy 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.720 Spirit. 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:18.960 Fill me 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:19.740 so that 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:19.940 it 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.200 overflows 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.059 more 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:23.240 and more. 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:25.079 So that 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.680 when people 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.200 come to 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.920 me and 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.620 ask me, 00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:28.759 I will 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.600 respond in 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.860 love more 00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:31.940 and more. 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.640 You see, 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.319 there's no 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.380 level of 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:37.319 love at 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.799 which we 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.440 can reach 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:38.960 and say, 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.220 that's it, 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.940 no more, 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.140 I've done 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.319 it, 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.019 I've made 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.380 it, 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.759 I'm the 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.340 lover of 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:46.679 lovers. 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:49.199 No, 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.679 there's no 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.119 level. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.399 It's 00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:52.819 always 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.139 more and 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:54.500 more. 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.399 And God 00:18:56.399 --> 00:18:57.399 will always 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:58.240 increase our 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.879 love for 00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.419 each other 00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:00.319 by his 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.059 Holy Spirit 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.059 filling us 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:03.359 to overflowing 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.939 so that we 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:05.699 can love 00:19:05.699 --> 00:19:07.000 more and 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.359 more. 00:19:08.199 --> 00:19:08.980 Not by 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:09.559 ourselves, 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.379 but by the 00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:12.179 supernatural 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:13.879 in-working 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:15.339 Spirit of 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:15.779 God. 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.419 So we're 00:19:17.419 --> 00:19:18.459 taught to 00:19:18.459 --> 00:19:18.859 love, 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:20.740 we grow 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.159 in love, 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.559 and third, 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:25.799 we're to 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.599 work out 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:28.079 our love. 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:31.939 So what 00:19:31.939 --> 00:19:32.819 does loving 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.839 one another 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.699 look like in 00:19:34.699 --> 00:19:35.259 practice? 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:36.579 Well, we 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.079 heard this 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:37.679 morning that 00:19:37.679 --> 00:19:38.119 it could 00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:38.839 involve going 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:39.279 to the 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.439 cinema or 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:41.019 surfing, 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:43.759 but that's 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.199 not what 00:19:44.199 --> 00:19:44.759 this says 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.099 here. 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:47.379 let's 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:47.939 read verse 00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:48.379 11. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.559 So love 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.259 more and 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.659 more, 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:55.039 verse 11, 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:55.720 and make 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.220 it your 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:57.119 ambition to 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.859 lead a 00:19:57.859 --> 00:19:58.740 quiet life. 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:00.319 You should 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.059 mind your 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.839 own business 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.279 and work 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:03.659 with your 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:05.039 hands just 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.419 as we 00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:06.019 told you. 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:07.959 Now I 00:20:07.959 --> 00:20:08.399 find it 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:09.319 helpful for 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.439 just single 00:20:10.439 --> 00:20:11.179 words to 00:20:11.179 --> 00:20:11.599 summarize. 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:11.859 summarize. 00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.359 So we've 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:15.199 got three 00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:15.919 words that 00:20:15.919 --> 00:20:17.079 summarize verse 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:18.299 11 to 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:18.819 help us 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.359 think about 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:19.959 what love 00:20:19.959 --> 00:20:20.480 is like. 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.619 Love is 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.279 quiet. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:24.879 Love is 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:25.319 quiet. 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:26.959 Isn't that what 00:20:26.959 --> 00:20:27.299 it says? 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:27.939 Verse 11, 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.779 make it your 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.319 ambition to 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:30.919 lead a 00:20:30.919 --> 00:20:32.619 quiet life. 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:32.679 love. 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.339 Well let 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:34.959 me tell you 00:20:34.959 --> 00:20:36.179 a minute how 00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:36.779 much I 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.539 prayed for 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.119 you this 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:38.559 week. 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.559 Do you 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:40.919 know how 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.379 much I 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.719 give to 00:20:41.719 --> 00:20:42.199 the church, 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:42.559 shall I 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.019 tell you? 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.079 And next 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:46.099 week I'm 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:46.759 planning on 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.959 inviting three 00:20:47.959 --> 00:20:48.659 people for 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:49.500 coffee and 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.219 two families 00:20:50.219 --> 00:20:50.699 for dinner. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.220 and if 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.799 anybody else 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.240 wants to 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:52.480 come, 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.299 just come 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.620 and tell 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.319 me I 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.019 have so 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.000 much love 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.620 to give. 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.240 No. 00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:01.360 Love doesn't 00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:02.380 need grand 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.019 announcements. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.400 You don't 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:04.920 need to 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.400 broadcast 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.279 whatever you 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.740 did from 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.080 Mr. 00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:07.519 Old 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:07.980 Jones. 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.500 Love is 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.059 quiet. 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:12.819 It doesn't 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:14.039 seek repayment 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.140 or acknowledgement. 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.420 Love just 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:17.240 quietly 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.980 gets on. 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.539 Setting 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.000 up, 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.279 serving, 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:23.599 visiting, 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:24.980 offering 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.839 hospitality. 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.539 No grand 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.180 announcements. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.619 Love is 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:32.079 quiet. 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.579 So let 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.180 us love 00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.539 quietly. 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.019 Second 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.659 word 00:21:39.659 --> 00:21:43.519 is 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:43.940 humble. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.200 Look at 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.599 the middle 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:46.980 of verse 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.319 11. 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:47.899 You should 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.879 mind your 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:50.099 own business. 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.359 That's a 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.299 great phrase 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.720 isn't it? 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.599 You couldn't 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.279 possibly say 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.460 that. 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:54.960 No, the 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.639 Bible says 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:55.779 it. 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.139 Now I 00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:56.579 can say 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:56.819 it. 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.700 Our job 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.159 is not 00:21:59.159 --> 00:21:59.500 to be 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.440 finding out 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.940 what people 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.519 do and 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.079 how often 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.319 they're 00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.019 doing it. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.079 I am 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.579 not the 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.240 standard of 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.619 love and 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.099 you're not 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:07.680 the standard 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.319 of love. 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:09.559 We're not 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.159 to be busy 00:22:10.159 --> 00:22:10.740 looking around 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.019 going, 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:11.659 oh, they're 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:12.460 always late 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:12.759 and they 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.339 always leave 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:13.599 early. 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.240 I wonder 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.700 why they 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.359 do that. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:18.899 M-Y-O-B 00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:20.859 mind your 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:22.099 own business. 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.619 How people 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:24.199 use their 00:22:24.199 --> 00:22:24.759 time and 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.179 their gifts 00:22:25.179 --> 00:22:25.899 is not 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:26.579 your business. 00:22:27.679 --> 00:22:28.339 We're not 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:28.899 judge and 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.659 jury of the 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.459 love committee. 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.339 The truth 00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.959 is we 00:22:33.959 --> 00:22:34.819 don't know 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.859 what people's 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.399 circumstances 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.119 are. 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.719 We have no 00:22:38.719 --> 00:22:39.319 idea what 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:39.839 people have 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.299 been going 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.179 through or 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:41.659 what their 00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.539 burden is. 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.839 perhaps 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.500 they're the 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.079 person, 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.379 instead of 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:47.399 criticising, 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.720 we need 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.420 to love 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.579 more 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.899 and more. 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.920 Love is 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.319 humble, 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.759 not 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.599 judgmental. 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.159 It doesn't 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:58.859 compare with 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.159 others. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:22:59.940 It doesn't 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.859 keep records. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.139 Love 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:03.119 minds 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:04.119 your own 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:05.099 business. 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.039 Love is 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.420 humble. 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.180 So quietly, 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.759 humbly, 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:13.759 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:16.680 and third, 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.559 generously, 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:21.379 you should 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:21.920 mind your 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.659 own business, 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.619 verse 11, 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.319 and work 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.839 with your 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:27.319 hands just 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.659 as we 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.279 told you. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.779 In other 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.139 words, 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.700 use the 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:33.279 gifts God 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:33.779 has blessed 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.379 you with, 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.759 both the 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.759 abilities that 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.319 we have 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.019 and the 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.700 resources 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.859 that we 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.639 have received. 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:42.100 if you're 00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.900 gifted in 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.160 some 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.560 particular 00:23:43.560 --> 00:23:43.980 way, 00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:45.060 use it 00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:45.580 to love 00:23:45.580 --> 00:23:46.060 others. 00:23:46.580 --> 00:23:47.000 If it's 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.480 baking, 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.300 bake. 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:48.780 If it's 00:23:48.780 --> 00:23:49.259 DIY, 00:23:50.040 --> 00:23:50.500 go do 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:50.740 some 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.100 DIY. 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:51.640 If it's 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.080 visiting, 00:23:52.280 --> 00:23:52.480 visit. 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:52.940 If it's 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.259 teach, 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:53.840 teach. 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.040 He's 00:23:55.040 --> 00:23:55.620 made us 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.060 with all 00:23:56.060 --> 00:23:56.820 kinds of 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:57.300 wonderful 00:23:57.300 --> 00:23:58.080 talents and 00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:58.620 abilities, 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.500 and all of 00:23:59.500 --> 00:23:59.780 us are 00:23:59.780 --> 00:24:00.080 different. 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.380 We've 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:00.759 all got 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.120 something 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.780 different to 00:24:01.780 --> 00:24:02.160 bring, 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:03.620 and we 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.100 use them 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:04.740 to love 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.740 one another. 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.700 Work with 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:06.920 your 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.540 hands. 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:10.059 And what 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.539 about all 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.200 the resources 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:11.859 God has 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.359 given to 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:12.639 us? 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.460 Again, 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.460 we are to 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.339 steward them 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:16.440 well for 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.000 the blessing 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.740 of others. 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.639 If you're 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.180 no longer 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.940 in full-time 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.440 work, 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:22.879 use your 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.440 time to 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:23.899 encourage. 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.680 If you 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:26.339 have extra 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:26.940 financial 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.579 resources, 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:28.639 use it 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.359 to bless 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:29.960 others. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.480 If you've 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:31.779 got a 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.159 home, 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:32.799 offer 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.480 hospitality. 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.359 If you've 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:34.680 got a 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.039 car, 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:35.960 offer a 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.279 lift. 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.740 Work with 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:38.940 your 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.500 hands. 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:40.879 Our 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.720 abilities and 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:41.879 our 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:43.200 resources are 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:43.619 to be 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.200 used 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.559 generously. 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.079 Don't 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.960 hold back. 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.259 Don't 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.920 settle for 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.299 minimum. 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.200 It's 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.680 always love 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:54.139 is more 00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:55.579 and more. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.039 Love is 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.659 filled 00:24:58.659 --> 00:24:59.899 with 00:24:59.899 --> 00:25:00.539 generosity. 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:04.460 So what 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:04.920 does love 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.599 look like? 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:07.579 Well, it's 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.500 done quietly, 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.339 humbly, 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.799 and generously. 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.659 In fact, 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.480 our love 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.039 for one 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.539 another 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.779 has a 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.419 profound 00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:17.279 impact 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.199 on those 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.000 around us 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.579 who are 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.119 not yet 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:20.599 Christians. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.099 Did you 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.559 see that 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:21.939 in verse 00:25:21.939 --> 00:25:22.379 12? 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:25.719 So here's 00:25:25.719 --> 00:25:26.139 the flow 00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:26.699 of thought. 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.699 God has 00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:28.240 taught you 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.679 how to 00:25:28.679 --> 00:25:29.099 love, 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.319 verse 9. 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.259 Love more 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.819 and more, 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.920 verse 10. 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.940 Quietly, 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:36.539 humbly, 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.299 and generously 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.460 work out 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.180 your love, 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:41.019 verse 12, 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.460 so that 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.299 your daily 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.160 life may 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.660 win the 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.240 respect 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.160 of 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.879 outsiders. 00:25:48.339 --> 00:25:49.200 Love is 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.819 quiet, 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.900 but it 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:52.700 is seen. 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.700 Love is 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.160 humble, 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:57.000 but it 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.859 is felt. 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:59.819 love is 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.539 generous, 00:26:01.219 --> 00:26:02.619 and it's 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.719 experienced. 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.299 You see, 00:26:05.479 --> 00:26:06.299 our daily 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:06.959 lives, 00:26:07.479 --> 00:26:08.359 soaked in 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:08.740 love, 00:26:09.199 --> 00:26:09.819 filled by 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.299 the power 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.559 of the 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.259 Holy Spirit, 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.219 where love 00:26:12.219 --> 00:26:13.000 bubbles out 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.639 and over, 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.539 will have 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.279 an amazing 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:15.979 effect on 00:26:15.979 --> 00:26:16.659 our community. 00:26:16.939 --> 00:26:17.439 It will, 00:26:17.439 --> 00:26:18.199 verse 12, 00:26:18.719 --> 00:26:19.299 win the 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.959 respect 00:26:19.959 --> 00:26:21.500 of outsiders. 00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:23.799 We will 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.459 begin to 00:26:24.459 --> 00:26:25.199 look like 00:26:25.199 --> 00:26:26.279 what we 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.159 talk about, 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.600 if we 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.220 proclaim 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.940 God loves 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.380 you, 00:26:32.540 --> 00:26:33.000 well, 00:26:33.060 --> 00:26:33.340 we will 00:26:33.340 --> 00:26:33.680 be a 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.080 people 00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:35.720 that love 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.460 too. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.660 We will 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.680 reflect that 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.800 love in 00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:40.460 our words 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.519 and our 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:41.980 actions. 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.180 I've had 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.019 this happy 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.900 experience 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:48.380 recently of 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:49.100 someone telling 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:50.180 me that 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:50.740 the reason 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.400 they started 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:53.060 coming was 00:26:53.060 --> 00:26:53.840 because the 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:55.340 love they 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:56.140 received from 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.700 the people. 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.160 love 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.540 never 00:26:58.540 --> 00:26:59.820 underestimate 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:01.800 how your 00:27:01.800 --> 00:27:02.519 love for 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.279 one another 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:05.000 can affect 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.380 those who 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.080 look on 00:27:07.080 --> 00:27:08.180 and see 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:08.580 what's 00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:09.019 happening. 00:27:10.320 --> 00:27:10.720 Love 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:12.040 wins the 00:27:12.040 --> 00:27:12.580 respect 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:13.880 of others. 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:16.000 You see, 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.480 what we've 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.019 been thinking 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.660 about this 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:19.380 morning is 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:19.900 really an 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.840 outworking of 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:21.640 Christ's love 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.279 in us. 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.500 As God 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.460 teaches us, 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.320 as he gives 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:25.700 us his 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.619 Holy Spirit, 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.220 we are 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.899 enabled to 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:30.759 love because 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.819 Christ loves 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.899 me and 00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.439 he loves 00:27:33.439 --> 00:27:33.839 you. 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:36.039 In love, 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.359 Christ 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.279 quietly 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:38.960 came. 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:40.599 No big 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.179 announcements, 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:43.079 no shouting 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.619 and making 00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:44.019 noise. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.839 He entered 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.339 the world 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:45.799 through an 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.859 unknown teenager 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.259 in an 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.819 outhouse. 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:49.480 He came 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.039 to seek 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.799 and save. 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.279 He came 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:53.039 in love 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.279 so that 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:54.819 we might 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.439 know him. 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.579 In love, 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.519 Christ 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.279 humbly 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.019 served, 00:28:00.659 --> 00:28:01.659 not demanding 00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:02.359 his rights 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:02.939 or seeking 00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:03.639 his wants. 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:04.460 He didn't 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.319 judge or 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.799 condemn. 00:28:06.159 --> 00:28:07.319 He humbled 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.059 himself. 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.799 He made 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.279 himself 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.740 nothing. 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:12.359 He became 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:13.039 a servant 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:14.519 for you 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.539 and for 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:15.839 me. 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.679 In love, 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.940 Christ 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.720 generously 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.359 gave. 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.019 He held 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.940 nothing back. 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.720 He sacrificed. 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.539 He gave 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.559 of his life 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.179 on the 00:28:29.179 --> 00:28:29.659 cross, 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:30.899 suffering 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:32.159 from my 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:33.339 sin and 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:34.059 your sin. 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.759 Christ 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.500 loved us 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.119 to the very 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:37.619 end. 00:28:38.459 --> 00:28:38.919 And guess 00:28:38.919 --> 00:28:39.339 what? 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:41.099 He still 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:42.259 loves us 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:43.019 today. 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:47.059 Look at 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.559 Christ. 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.339 See the 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:49.959 wonder of 00:28:49.959 --> 00:28:50.639 his love 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:52.059 who quietly 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.679 came, 00:28:53.459 --> 00:28:54.059 who humbly 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.679 served 00:28:54.679 --> 00:28:56.259 and generously 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.799 give. 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.899 May God 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.739 fill us 00:28:59.739 --> 00:29:01.019 with his 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.919 love today 00:29:01.919 --> 00:29:03.139 so that 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:03.519 it will 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.299 overflow 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.559 more and 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.119 more to 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.779 one another 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:08.339 and to 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.519 the 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.059 community 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:10.039 in which 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.639 we live. 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.240 Let's 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.539 pray. 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:12.539 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:12.539 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:33.200 for you 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.879 yourselves 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.639 have been 00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.579 taught by 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.359 God to 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:37.440 love each 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.980 other. 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.480 Yet we 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.160 urge you 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:43.559 and encourage 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.160 you to 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.940 do so 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:46.180 more 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:47.640 and more. 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.460 Father God, 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.099 would you 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:52.759 pour your 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:54.120 love into 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:55.180 our lives. 00:29:56.360 --> 00:29:57.360 Help us 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.000 that we may 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.120 experience your 00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:00.200 love afresh by 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.779 your Holy 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.380 Spirit 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:03.860 so that we 00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:04.839 may overflow 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:07.220 in quiet, 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.079 humble, 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.079 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.799 generous love 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:11.759 towards one 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.180 another. 00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:14.700 Thank you for 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.460 loving us 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.839 so much. 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.940 Thank you for 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.640 the love of 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.240 one another. 00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:22.140 Thank you 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:23.360 for this 00:30:23.360 --> 00:30:24.019 loving 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:25.000 church. 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.980 In Jesus' 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.860 name we 00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:28.200 pray. 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.779 Amen. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:29.940 Amen. 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:35.519 Well, we're 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:36.059 going to sing 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:38.259 a song that 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:40.019 brings a 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.120 love.