1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
We cannot ANTAGONIZE and INFLUENCE at the same time.
~ John Knox
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV)
Prophecy and Tongues
14 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
WITHOUT LOVE…
All I SAY is ineffective.
1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)
The Way of Love
13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
All I KNOW is insignificant.
1 Corinthians 13:2 (ESV)
2 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.
All I BELIEVE is insufficient.
1 Corinthians 13:2 (ESV)
2 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.
Galatians 5:6 (ESV)
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
All I GIVE is incomplete.
1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
All I ACCOMPLISH is inadequate.
1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.
LOVE WELL…
1. SERVE them.
1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV)
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
2. SET AN EXAMPLE for them.
1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
Called to Be Holy
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
3. SHARE CHRIST with them.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Preach the gospel, AND IF NECESSARY use words.
~ St. Francis Of Assisi
How I ACT is more important than what I SAY.
James 2:14-17 (ESV)
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.