MAKE LOVE THE MEASURE OF MATURITY

Main Scripture: John 13:35, 1 Cor. 13:1-13

Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 50:4, Matthew 7:1-5

POINTS:

The Problem:

• We make and multiply disciples that don’t know how to love.

• We don’t know how to love others because we don’t know how to love ourselves, so we over-function and under-function in relationship with one another.

• We bring our old nature and responses into our relationships.

• We choose being right over being loving.

The Solution: Loving others as Jesus loves them.

Ask three questions of ourselves as we engage in connection with others:

• Are we fully present or distracted?

• Are we loving them or judging them?

  • We turn our differences into virtues of moral superiority

• Are we open or closed to being changed?

Jesus teaches us three dynamics when loving others:

• Enter into each other’s world by practicing empathy.

• Hold on to yourself in relationship with others.

• Live in the tension of two worlds.