SUPPORT: We must support each other unconditionally,

tangibly & continually

ACCEPTANCE: Because Jesus accepted

you, you must accept others

FORGIVENESS: Forgiven people always

forgive people

ENCOURAGMENT: You will bring others

down or build others up

God put you here on earth to do one thing – LOVE! You are called to love Him and love other people. Life is one giant lesson in love.

Life is not about acquisition,

accomplishment or achievement. It’s not

about all the other things we’re told life’s about.

Because one day you’re going to leave all that

behind. But not love. In fact, the Bible says that faith, hope and love last

forever –

and the greatest of these three is love. So

ultimately, life is all about learning

how to love.

FIVE RADICAL STATEMENTS ABOUT LOVE

1. If I don’t love other people, nothing I say

will matter

If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth, but didn’t love

others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong

or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1 – New Living

Translation)

2. If I don’t love other people, nothing I know

will matter

I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret

things of God and have all knowledge. . . But if I do not have

love, then I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2 – New Century

Version)

3. If I don’t love other people, nothing I believe

will matter

Even if I had the gift of faith so that

I could speak to a mountain and make it move, I would still be

worth nothing at all without love. (1 Corinthians 13:2 – Living Bible)

4. If I don’t love other people, nothing I give

will matter

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my

body . . . but if I didn’t love others, I would

be of no value whatsoever. (1 Corinthians 13:3 – New Living

Translation)

5. If I don’t love other people, nothing I do

will matter

No matter what I say, what I believe,

or what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

(1 Corinthians 13:3 – The Message)

THREE PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES ABOUT LOVE

The most important thing

I can do with my life is to love others

Which is the most important command?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your

heart, soul, and mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment.

The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as

much as you love yourself.

(Matthew 22:36-39 – Living Bible)

When you really love someone, you show it

by your actions

We must show love through actions that are sincere, not

through empty words.

(1 John 3:18 – God’s Word Translation)

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6 – New International

Version)

Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave

himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. (Ephesians 5:2 – New

Living Translation)

The most important time to start loving others

is right now

Whenever we have the opportunity,

we should do good to everyone . . .

(Galatians 6:10 – New Living Translation)

Use every chance you have for doing good.

(Ephesians 5:16 - New Century Version)

Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never

tell your neighbors to wait until

tomorrow if you can help them now.

(Proverbs 3:27-28 – Good News Bible)

Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire love. Make it your aim,

your great quest . . . (1 Corinthians 14:1 – Amplified

Bible)

THE ABC’S OF AUTHENTIC LOVE

HOW TO REALLY LOVE OTHERS

Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never

boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not

demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy.

It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do

it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever

truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the

cost.

You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and

always stand your ground in defending him. (1 Corinthians

13:4-7 – Living Bible)

A

I accept you just as you are

B

I believe you are valuable

C

I care when you are hurting

D

I desire the very best for you

E

I erase all past offenses

Let’s Pray