Sermons / September 13, 2026 // Love Acts

Theme: Love Acts Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Main Idea: Since God has demonstrated His love toward us, we must act in love toward one another. Love in Action: 1.       Love remains patient (4). a.       Patience reflects God’s response toward human sinfulness. i.        God forbears those deserving his wrath (Rom 2:4; 9:22; 1 Pet 3:20). ii.       God’s patience provides opportunity for salvation (1 Tim 1:16; 2 Pet 3:9, 15). b.       Patience stems from God’s power in us (Gal. 5:22; Col. 1:11; 3:12). c.       Patience is a necessary to inherit what has been promised (Heb 6:12; Ja 6:7–8, 10). d.       Application: i.        Bear the wrongs and mistreatment of others (Eph 4:2). ii.       Continue to serve despite people’s shortcomings (1 Thess 5:14; 2 Tim 4:2). 2.       Love acts kindly (4). a.       Kindness reflects God’s action toward all people. i.        God does what is good and right toward those that are his enemies (Lk 6:35). ii.       God’s kindness combines with his patience so that He can lead sinners to repentance (Rom 2:4). iii.        God pours out wealth of his grace on believers in Jesus (Eph 2:7; Titus 3:4–6). b.       True kindness only comes by being made right with God through faith in Jesus (Rom 3:12). c.       Application: i.        Regardless of the other person is, we are to do good toward them (Lk 6:35). ii.        Avoid bad influences because they corrupt our ability to act kindly (1 Cor 15:33). iii.        Forgive those who wrong you (Eph 4:32; Col 3:12). 3.       Love doesn’t wrongly get jealous. a.       Jesus was greatly desirous for the things of His Father (Jn 2:17) b.       Our own desires can go disastrously wrong when we ... i.        Focus on tradition and law-keeping rather than the Gospel for our right standing with God (Ac 5:17, 13:45, 17:5, 22:3, Rom 10:2, Gal 1:14, 4:17, Phil 3:6). ii.        Pursue selfish ambition willing to wrong others (Ja 3:14, 16, 4:2). c.       Application: Desire right actions i.        Do good because of Christ’s salvation (Rom 12:11, Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 3:13) ii.       Proclaim the Gospel (Ac 18:25) iii.      Seek repentance (2 Cor 7:11, Rev. 3:19) iv.      Pursue spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:31, 14:1, 12, 39) v.       Promote the wellbeing of others (2 Cor 7:7, 11:2) Application Questions: ·     Why is it important to begin the discussion of these actions with God? How does this impact our understanding of these actions? ·     Can one be a follower of Jesus and not act in these ways? Why or why not? ·     Why is patience so intricately connected to our response toward those that have wronged us? ·     What are specific ways that we can act kindly toward one another? ·     Where do our desires go in the wrong direction? How can we promote right desire?