Summer Of Joy
Love with Wisdom
This summer we are taking the time to read the book of Phillipians, also known as the book “The Book Of Joy”. Philippians was written by the apostle Paul from a prison cell which is kind of ironic because he's trying to show us that you can be in the middle of what seems like a prison but joy doesn't have anything to do with what's going on around you. Joy starts in you and you can find joy and peace and confidence in the Lord no matter what's going on around you.
Links
Series
Speakers
Joël Malm
Teaching Pastor
Philippians 1:6-11
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
The Four Loves:
-
Agape – perfect love
-
Eros – romantic
-
Philia – friendship
-
Storgē – empathy
Key Point: Perfect Love (Agape) requires:
-
Knowledge of the unique situation
-
Discernment about the right response
“Love is the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth...” - M. Scott Peck
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Sermon Notes. May 12, 2024
SUMMARY
There are times that we are trying to show love to someone but it is just not working. And on occasion, it is because we are not loving them perfectly. We have to lean on the Holy Spirit to show us how to love because He loves us perfectly.
Philippians 1:6-11
Love looks different to everyone. Some people require different kinds of “love”.
The Four Loves:
Agape – perfect love
Eros – romantic
Philia – friendship
Storgē – empathy
Q1: What does love look like to you?
We all have someone we are trying to show them that we love them. It could be working long hours for money, going above and beyond for them with acts of service. But it doesn't always work…
Love requires a different set of skills in every situation.
You are a saint the moment you accept the gift of Christ on the cross.
Right now, right where you are, if you have accepted Jesus’ gift on the cross… You are a SAINT.
Oftentimes when we think we are loving someone, it's not for the sake of them, it's for the sake of what it's doing for us… and that's not perfect
Q2: Has there been a time when you thought you were loving someone but it was actually hurting them?
You can only love perfectly with God’s love.
Perfect Love (Agape) requires:
-
Knowledge of the unique situation
-
Discernment about the right response
“Love is the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth...” - M. Scott Peck
We have to ask ourselves, is the way that I am trying to show them love help them grow? Because that is what God does for us.
The Holy Spirit guides us in the truth in the way we need it, at the time we need it, and how we need it.
Q3: Has the Holy Spirit ever guided you in the way you need it?
Love is always about the growth of the other person.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Q4: Has there ever been a time where we supported someone by loving them,but when we needed the support, it wasn't there?
We HAVE to depend on the Holy Spirit to guide and show us the way to love.
PRAY IT OUT
Father I pray for the knowledge and Your guiding hand to show us the way to love perfectly, to show Agape. I thank you for being the all knowing Father that always shows us perfect love. I pray for the people in our lives that struggle with loving perfectly, and those who are not being loved perfectly as well. I pray that we come to You when we are in the darkness so You can be our light Lord. Jesus, I thank You for the gift of salvation. That because of Your gift, we are now saints. Be with us in our walk Lord, we pray this all in Your name, Amen.