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Grow ~ Increase ~ Abound Growing in Love “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:” 1 Thes. 3:12 Grow ~ Increase ~ Abound Increase in amount or degree To develop or reach maturity Superabound, abundant Enough and to spare

Importance of Love First commandment – Matt. 22 Fulfillment of the Law – Rom.13 Greatest – 1 Cor. 13:13 Fruit of Spirit – Gal. 5:22 Bond of perfectness – Col.3:14

Growing in Love Love ~ ‘Agape’ = desire best “Strong feeling of affection” Three ways of demonstrating: Selfish Mechanical True

Love is the Character of God “God is Love” 1 John 4:8

Love is like a bright light The reflector bounces the light in many directions Christians are to reflect the light – the love of God The sun comes down and warms the earth.

We Should Love God and Christ Matt. 22:37 ~ love God Eph. 6:24 ~ love Jesus John 14:15 1 John 5:3

We Should Love 1 Jn. 4:20 – love God – hate Christian brethren Jn. 13:34-35 – one another 1 Jn. 2:9-11 – love brother “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:” 1 Peter 1:22 If brethren can’t love one another on earth, how do you suppose they could enjoy heaven together ?

We Should Love Family Parents – Eph. 6:2 Mate - Col. 3:18-19 Children – Titus 2:4

We Should Love Enemies Matt. 5:44 “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them…” “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom. 12:19 “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:20-21

We Should Love The Lost Rom. 10:1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Matt. 9:36-38 - compassion

How Do We Show Love ? Sacrifice liberally Strive to please Like to be with them Love to talk to them Concerned about them “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:” 1 Thes.3:12

There is Great Power in Love Most powerful force in the universe “For the love of Christ compels us” - 2 Cor. 5:14

There is Great Power in Love On ourselves On our fellowman On God “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23

Growing in Love We are shaped and fashioned by what we love ! Love is not like a reservoir Love is like a natural spring “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;” Phil. 1:9

Growing in Love Growth in love For God, His word His church

Nelson Chapel Church of Christ 5039 Six Mile Road Maryville, Tn. 37803 www.nelsonchapelchurchofchrist.org July 29, 2018 Sermon by Arthur Pigman 2705 Druid Hill Dr. Maryville, Tn. 37804 art65ann@gmail.com CCL11325562