L = LOVESeries - RELATIONSHIP RESCUE - Part 5 - Pastor Chuck Bernal - 05-

10-15______________________________________________

SUPPORT: We must support each other unconditionally, tangibly, continually

ACCEPTANCE: Because Jesus accepted you, you must accept others

FORGIVENESS: Forgiven people always forgive people

ENCOURAGMENT: You will bring others down or build others up

God put you here on earth to do one thing – LOVE! You are called to love Him and love other people. Life is one giant lesson in love. Life is not about acquisition, accomplishment or achievement. It’s not about all the other things we’re told life’s about. Because one day you’re going to leave all that behind. But not love. In fact, the Bible says that faith, hope and love last forever – and the greatest of these three is love. So ultimately, life is all about learning how to love.

FIVE RADICAL STATEMENTS ABOUT LOVE

1. If I don’t love other people, nothing I _______________________ will matter If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth, but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.

(1 Corinthians 13:1 – NLT)

2. If I don’t love other people, nothing I _______________________ will matterI may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge. .. . But if I do not have love, then I am nothing.

(1 Corinthians 13:2 – NCV)

3. If I don’t love other people, nothing I _______________________ will matter

Even if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, I would still be worth nothing at all without love. (1 Corinthians 13:2 – LB)

4. If I don’t love other people, nothing I _______________________ will matterIf I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body . . . but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever. (1 Corinthians 13:3 – NLT)

5. If I don’t love other people, nothing I _______________________ will matter

No matter what I say, what I believe, or what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. (1 Corinthians 13:3 – Msg)

THREE PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES ABOUT LOVE

The most important thing I can do with my life is to _______________ othersWhich is the most important command?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.

(Matthew 22:36-39 - LB)

When you really love someone, you show it by your ______________________

We must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.

(1 John 3:18 - GWT)The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

(Galatians 5:6 - NIV)

Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. (Ephesians 5:2 - NLT)

The most important time to start loving others is right ___________________

Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone . . . (Galatians 6:10 - NLT)

Use every chance you have for doing good. (Ephesians 5:16 - NCV)Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.

(Proverbs 3:27-28 - GNB)Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire love. Make it your aim, your great

quest . . . (1 Corinthians 14:1 - Amp)

THE ABC’S OF AUTHENTIC LOVE – HOW TO REALLY LOVE OTHERS

Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.  If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - LB)

A: I ___________________________ you just as you are B: I _____________________________ you are valuable

C: I _________________________ when you are hurting D: I _________________________ the very best for you E: I ______________________________ all past offensesEagerly pursue and seek to acquire love. Make it your aim, your greatest

quest . . . (1 Corinthians 14:1 - Amp)

FIVE RADICAL STATEMENTS ABOUT LOVE

1. If I don’t love other people, nothing I say will matter

2. If I don’t love other people, nothing I know will matter

3. If I don’t love other people, nothing I believe will matter

4. If I don’t love other people, nothing I give will matter

5. If I don’t love other people, nothing I do will matter

THREE PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES ABOUT LOVE

The most important thing I can do with my life is to love others

When you really love someone, you show it by your actions

The most important time to start loving others is right now

THE ABC’S OF AUTHENTIC LOVE – HOW TO REALLY LOVE OTHERS

A: I accept you just as you are B: I believe you are valuable

C: I care when you are hurting D: I desire the very best for you E: I erase all past offenses