Love Practically (Chantilly)

2 Corinthians 6:12 CSB – Paul says, We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

2 Corinthians 6:13 CSB – I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.

John 13:35 CSB – By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Love Practically – Consciously Set a Godly Example

2 Corinthians 6:3 CSB – We are not giving anyone an occasion for offense, so that the ministry will not be blamed.

2 Corinthians 5:20 CSB – …we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 CSB – Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. ²¹ To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. ²³ Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.

Matthew 6:33 CSB – Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be provided to you, as well.

Love Practically – Be Faithful Through Adversity

2 Corinthians 6:4-5 CSB – Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties, ⁵ by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,

1 Corinthians 13:7 CSB – [Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Love Practically: Unselfish Consideration of Other’s Needs

2 Corinthians 6:6 CSB – …by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,…

Three words to describe considerate love:

2 Corinthians 6:6 CSB – …by knowledge, by patience, by kindness

Patience = macrothumia

1 Corinthians 13:4 CSB – Love suffers long

Kindness

• 1 Cor. 13:4, Love is kind.
• Galatians 5:22, the fruit of the spirit is…. kindness
• Ephesians 4:29, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs
• 1 Peter 4:8-9, Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.⁹ Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

2 Corinthians 6:6 CSB – …by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,…

1 John 4:19 CSB – We love because he first loved us.

Love Practically: Be Joyful Always

2 Corinthians 6:8-10 CSB – through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; ⁹ as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see—we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; ¹⁰ as grieving, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Philippians 4:4,12-13 CSB – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

….I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

James 1:2-4 CSB – Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 CSB – We have spoken openly to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. ¹² We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³ I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.