“Summer Love Series - Where Is The Love?”
Pastor Jim Lowe III
Sunday Morning, 9:30am Stream 03/08/25 (2nd Sunday Message)
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{All scriptures are NIV84 unless stated}
We are starting a new series.
Bishop thought last week on “Do you love him enough to love them?” He discussed what love looks like and what it really means.
It lines up with what I was already working on for this month:
I kept thinking of a summer title…
and kept thinking of a 70s style to it. so what we’re doing today:
and a popular song by Roberta Flack in 1972:
“Summer Love Series - Where Is The Love?”
And as we talk about Love this summer…
let’s talk more about what the Lord says about it. let’s use a scripture we talked about a few months ago.
Matthew 5:13-15
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
The Lord calls us salt and light for the world. we aren’t supposed to hide these things.
We are to be salt and light…
We are here to be different than others.
{repeat:}
“God Called Me To Be Different!”
What does being different mean? What does being different look like?
We will answer that more and more this series.
But we first have to say that your being here isn’t a mistake.
You Are Here For A Reason, And It’s To Be Different!
You are to be the salt.
we provide these benefits to each other and the world. and the Lord tells us there’s one thing that drives it.
It’s love.
How do we feel about love?
Loving Others Can Be A Simple But Very Difficult Thing To Do The RIGHT Way!
What is the right way?
John 13:34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Bishop talked about this recently. We are to love one another.
But not just any love.
but a standard set by how he loves us.
But verse 35 says WHY it’s so important.
Verse 35
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Your Ability To Love Shows Who You Represent! We Are Nothing Without It!
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
This says if I can speak even in the heavenly languages… holier than you…
but I can’t show love.
I’m just making noise.
If I have the GIFT of prophecy…
if I can understand all the mysteries and have all knowledge.
I can understand how God made the universe. I can understand how to be a trillionaire.
and my FAITH can move MOUNTAINS!
Everything we WANT.
I can have all these things. but if I can’t love…
I have NOTHING.
Love Is What Separates Us From Being Real And Being Fake!
You can have all the abilities and powers.
you may be able to call down legions of angels. you may even be able to float.
but if you can’t show love. you have nothing.
Because you SHOW that you are a disciple…
Which means there is an action associated with being a believer. It’s not just about words.
it’s about what you do.
and you PROVE your discipleship. if you can show love.
Not YOUR love.
But HIS love.
So What Is Love’s Definition?
If you ask multiple people… you’ll get multiple answers.
Some people love up front.
others say you have to earn it.
some say you’ll never get it depending on “reasons.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
We are going to discuss this over the series. This is the definition.
We are told without love…we are nothing.
but the truth is without THIS type of love…we are nothing. Let’s start talking about love.
What Is Love?
1. Love Is Patient
So what is that?
Patience (Concise Oxford English Dictionary)
the capacity to tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without becoming angry or upset.
Patience is our ability to hold it together. to handle delay
to handle trouble
to handle even suffering
without getting angry or upset.
This means when people get on your nerves… showing love means you control YOURSELF.
This means this form of love ends and begins with us.
Patience Is A Choice!
This is what love looks like.
to CHOOSE to tolerate something.
and controlling our response!
Do We Exercise Patience When:
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Dealing With Children?
-
Waiting In Traffic?
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Dealing With Setbacks Or Failures?
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You Don’t Like What Someone Said To You?
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Waiting On Someone Else To Do Something?
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People Continue To Interrupt You?
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Someone Actually Lies On You?
These are all opportunities to exercise our patience. But here’s the thing:
These things do not mean that you can not deal with a situation.
Patience Does Not Mean Being A Pushover
Our definition tells us that we deal with these situations with self control. that we do not get angry or upset.
it does not mean that we cannot address it.
Matthew 18 tells us we can address situations. but we do it IN LOVE.
1 Corinthians 16:14
14 Do everything in love.
Why Should We Be Patient When Others Wrong Us?
We live in an era of matching energy.
We say we love God
and we love others…
until someone we don’t like says the wrong thing.
But WE are supposed to represent Christ!
WE show ourselves to be saved when we show LOVE. that’s not based on who it is.
that’s not based on a condition.
What can that do?
Your Patience Can Help Calm Others Down!
Proverbs 15:18
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
You have people around you who can stir up a lot of stuff…. but the bible says being patient can calm it.
Proverbs 15:1
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
This is the power YOU have as a believer!
When People Test You, Don’t Meet Them Where They Are, Show Them Where You Are!
This is what WE are to do as believers! The bible tells us:
Colossians 3:12
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
So what happens when our patience wears thin?
What do we do when we want to grow in love but don’t know how to be patient?
How To Grow In Patience:
This is a reminder that we don’t always get it right either. And we should remember the times we were given grace. Maybe you messed up.
and you didn’t get what you deserved.
Maybe you said something WAY out of line. and it was passed over.
Maybe you’re walking in all types of sin right now… and the Lord is still patient with you!
Exodus 34:6-7b
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
Slow to anger.
Remember the Lord’s patience with Moses at the burning bush. (Ex. 3) Remember the Lord’s patience with Gideon (Judges 6)
Remember the Lord’s patience with YOU.
How To Grow In Patience:
What are the things that really test you? Is it words?
Is it actions?
Is it tone?
Is it repeated requests?
What are the things that make patience difficult? We need to KNOW our problem areas.
When you identify your problems… you can deal with them.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Too many times we try to handle a problem with no direction.
We attempt to shoot in the dark at no target. Once you identify your weak spots…
Pray that the Lord help you with them.
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
How To Grow In Patience:
Patience has to be exercised. when we’re tested…
don’t say the first thing that comes up.
James 1:19-20
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Slow to speak Slow to anger.
Proverbs 17:27-28
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
A person of knowledge uses words with restraint. A person of understanding is even-tempered.
This means KNOWING when to say something… and when not to.
Even a FOOL can be wise if they be quiet sometimes.
How To Grow In Patience:
Some of our impatience may have a source. we might have an issue with someONE.
a spouse, friend, acquaintance, co-worker, manager it could even be US.
Yes, some of us need to forgive ourselves.
we lash out at others because our fights are within.
But love keeps no record of wrongs. which means it forgives.
some of us may still be paying for mistakes from our past
Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Christ forgave them. He also forgave you. Be patient with them
Also be patient with yourself.
{Recap}
You are the salt of the earth. You are to be different.
You can’t love the way the world does.
You SHOW yourselves as his disciples by showing love.
We can’t get to the full definition of love if we can’t get the FIRST part right!
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Knowing how important it is.
knowing its a way of self-control.
How do we grow our patience?
How To Grow In Patience:
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Keep In Mind Who Has Been Patient With You
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Identify The Things That Trigger You And Remember The Lord Will Help You Deal With It!
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Always Take Another Moment Before You Respond To Anything
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Make Sure To Forgive Someone If Needed, Including Yourself
{repeat:}
“God Called Me To Be Different!”
