Love is Patient
Message Notes // May 1st
What’s Love Got To Do With It?
1 Corinthians 12:31
And I will show you a still more excellent way. (ESV) // …now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. (NLT)
Colossians 3:14
Above all, clothe yourselves in love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
The groundwork / framework for life is love!
1 Corinthians 14:1
Let love be your highest goal.
Love is Patient
patient [makrothymeo] - long spirited, forbearing or patient, to bear, or suffer, for a long time, to have patience, to be patient, to patiently endure, to not lose heart.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN TALKING ABOUT LOVE:
God IS love.
Love the Lord your God… the greatest commandment
…and your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus said loving others as we love ourselves is just as important, or equally important to loving Him! All the law and prophets rest on these.
So, when talking about love, we must ask these questions:
How does God love me / how is God patient with me?
How do I love God / how am I patient with God?
How do I love myself / how am I patient with myself?
How do I love others / how am I patient with others?
MAIN POINTS (click arrow for more info)
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Free-will is a very giant gift that requires a whole LOT of patience on God’s part.
God does not force a decision on us, or make a decision for us, that’s not love, that’s control.
Do you know that God is patient with you?
Exodus 34:6-7
The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, and forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin…2 Peter 3:9
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake.God’s patience has purpose!
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How do I love / how am I patient with God?
Am I waiting for God in my life?healing, finances, salvation for friends and family, spiritual renewal, a new job, a fresh start, more understanding or wisdom…
Is it taking longer than you want?
Don’t lose hope, don’t lose faith, persist and endure in believing!
If God CAN, it is an opportunity for us to believe that He WILL!
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
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Am I loving myself by being patient with myself?
or….am I my own worst enemy?
Don’t mistaken being patient with being complacent. And don’t think that being patient is being ok with it not happening.
Don’t give up on yourself!!!
“…we tend to overestimate what can happen in a short period of time, and underestimate what can happen in a long period of time.”
- Chip JuddChange is a process, not an event.
Matthew 6:25,33
This is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life…Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. -
Loving others doesn’t start with loving others - it stats with us learning how to RECEIVE love.
1 John 4:19
We love each other because he loved us first.What does it mean to be patient with others?
patient - able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without become annoyed or anxious.
Patience is probably one of the most important, and most lacking virtues in most of our relationships.
Are we waiting physically?
Are we waiting emotionally?
Are we waiting spiritually?Ephesians 4:1
I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love.John 13:35
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.We want everyone else to show us grace for our journey while we expect everyone else to be fixed immediately…
- TD Jakes1 John 3:18
…let’s not merely say we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.Don’t let impatience rob you from truly loving your family and friends!