Cultivate Christian love

I. Love blesses others

A. We must intentionally cultivate love in our relationships!

  1. To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit (1 Peter 3:8).
  2. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).

B. We are called to be channels of blessings to others!

  1. Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9).
  2. "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27, 28).

II. Love speaks kindly

A. We must discipline our tongues to speak graciously!

  1. For, "The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit" (1 Peter 3:10).
  2. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:29, 30).

B. We are to pursue peace with all people!

  1. "He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it" (1 Peter 3:11).
  2. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Romans 12:18).

III. Love prays earnestly

A. We must delight ourselves in the Lord as we seek His face!

  1. "For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Peter 3:12).
  2. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, and be gracious to me and answer me. When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek" (Psalm 27:7, 8).

B. We are to make intercessory prayer a daily practice!

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer (Acts 1:14a).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, May 31st, 2020