Learning to Love Like Jesus “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16

Building the Case for Love: Jesus in the Upper Room (John 13-17) The Message of Love Beyond the Gospels

The Most Excellent Way (1 Cor. 13): Patience (James 5:10-11, Heb. 6:11-12) Kindness (Luke 6:35-36, Eph. 4:32, Gal. 5:22) Not Envy (Acts 7:9)

The Most Excellent Way (1 Cor. 13): Not Boastful Not Proud (1 Cor. 8:1, Col. 2:18) Not Rude (Rom. 1:27)

The Most Excellent Way (1 Cor. 13): Not Self-Seeking (Phil 2:3-4) Not Easily Angered No Record of Wrongs (Col. 3:12-14)

The Most Excellent Way (1 Cor. 13): No Delight in Evil (2 Thess. 2:10-12) “To God our thoughts are things.” And if you want the Holy Spirit to have an active role in your daily life, then “…you must get hold of your thoughts and not allow your mind to be a wilderness in which every kind of unclean beast roams and bird flies. You must have a clean heart.” A.W. Tozer

The Most Excellent Way (1 Cor. 13): Rejoices in Truth (Rom. 1:25, Phil. 4:8-9) Always Protects Always Trusts (John 14:1, Rom. 8:28-29) “God is not given the praise He deserves when we ignore or deny the work He is doing in people.” Sam Crabtree

The Most Excellent Way (1 Cor. 13): Always Hopes (1 Tim. 4:9-10) Always Perseveres (Matt. 10:22, Rom. 12:12) Never Fails

The Hope Filled Example in Peter: Life Experience Denial / Failure Restoration & New Beginning “Do You Love Me? Follow Me!”

Summary: Relationship to God is Central Heart Transformation not Behavioral Modification Sacrificial Love depends on Trusting God Sacrificial Love is a Choice

Summary: Understand What Love Looks Like Community Required Failure Leads Us Back to God

Application: Focus on Patience Focus on Forgiveness Focus on Trust to Affirmation Lean Into the Heart Work with God