Being a Loving Person

Being a Loving Person

November 27, 2005

Introduction

A few years ago, the ladies had a secret sister brunch. There are ten pictures of that event on our church website if you know how to find it. It’s pretty obvious from the expressions on their faces that they truly enjoyed it. In fact, they enjoyed it so much that they decided to do it again.

This morning, I ask you, what is the appeal of the secret sister program? I’m not like Roy Harris, I haven’t actively participated in the program, but I have some ideas about what it is that make it so popular:

It’s all based on thoughtfulness. It’s a limited kind of thoughtfulness. I know of only two components that are obvious: (1) Little thoughtful gifts, and (2) Cards with some kind of caring loving thought involved. It’s called “secret sister,” because the one who receives the gift doesn’t know who gave it. Another unseen part is that they are to pray for each other. This Saturday this will all change as they will sign their names on the cards that will be with the last gift of this program.

So, again, what makes it special? I just have to say, it’s love expressed in kind thoughts and gifts. This morning, our thoughts are on being a “loving person.”

When we speak of love, our thoughts often turn to I Corinthians 13. It is called the chapter on love. It is excellent at describing some of the characteristics of love, but some form of the word love occurs 291 times in the New Testament. Sometimes it’s not in a good way, such as “They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God,” but most of the time, it’s describing the importance of love, or how we show love in one way or other.

This morning, we turn our thoughts to Paul’s description of love as found in Romans 12.

Body

I. We appreciate love that is sincere, and warm

(Rom 12:9) Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

How can love be with “hypocrisy”?

1. “Hypocrisy” is an act. It isn’t real.

2. It’s phony. You act like you really care, but you don’t.

Paul give us the qualities of warm love:

(Rom 12:10) Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

1. These are terms of warmth.

2. Caring affection “brotherly love”

A love that is with fervor and feeling.

(Rom 12:11) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

When I was dating, there was a young lady that I saw every Friday night, and we went to the high school football game because it was Friday night. Somebody else married her. Then there was Carolyn. I remember one time she was walking across the street in Abilene, and I pulled up and opened the door, and she got it. She wasn’t even expecting me, and it wasn’t Friday night. I just wanted to see her. As you all know, I married Carolyn. I was “fervent” about seeing Carolyn.

Take time to pray for those you really love.

(Rom 12:12) rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

Loving is giving.

(Rom 12:13) distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Have a sweet and forgiving spirit.

(Rom 12:14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

To take time to share others feelings.

(Rom 12:15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Be humble and have a mind seeing things from the other persons point of view.

(Rom 12:16) Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Seek to live at peace.

(Rom 12:17) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. {18} If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

II. How important is this thing called love?

Jesus called it the first and great commandment.

(Mat 22:35-40 NKJV) Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, {36} "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" {37} Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' {38} "This is the first and great commandment. {39} "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' {40} "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Paul said without it, nothing else matters.

(1 Cor 13:1-3 NKJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. {2} And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. {3} And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

III. Love is of God.

(1 John 4:7 NKJV) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

A. Where God is missing, love is missing.

1. I give you Communism and it’s brutality.

2. I give you a secular America where there is not enough love for the unborn to stop abortion.

B. Bible speaks of a day when love will grow cold.

(Mat 24:12 NKJV) "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Conclusion

I. As we think of the joy the secret sisters have had, may we show our love in other ways.

A. May we show love in our homes toward each other.

B. May we show love and concern for our fellow Christians.

C. May we show love and concern for those who are out of Christ.

II. May we never forget that God is love. He is the reason for all love.

III. Do we love Him, and have we surrendered our lives to Him

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