1. Growing in love 1.We all have spiritually weak areas where we need to grow (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10). 2.Growing in our love is how God grows us in our holiness.(1 Thessalonians 3:11-13).

2. Our Life as a Christian Saved from the power of sin Saved from the presence of sin Death/ Seeing Christ Saved from the penalty of sin Trusting in Christ Sanctification – a continual process

3. Growing in our love is how God grows us in our holiness (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13) May your love increase … for each other So that He may strengthen your heart – blameless in holiness … when Jesus comes

4. What increasing love looks like 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

5. How love increases and abounds What relationship is God using to grow you right now? How is God addressing selfishness in me through a person we know I should love more? Do I have a stubborn viewpoint where I should back off? Is there a bias I’ve had against certain people for whom God wants me to show grace? Is there someone I should serve more, though I feel real certain I’m done serving them? Is there someone I need to give a 2 nd or 20 th chance? Is there someone I should reach out to – talk to, have coffee, invite for dinner etc. – who is not my “type.” Is there someone I should “risk trusting” more than I am comfortable – because God risked trusting me? Is there someone needing my generosity – giving, loaning, sharing?