1 Corinthians 13:13– “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 14:1– “Pursue love,…..”
(MSG)- “Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.”
HOW CAN I GO AFTER A LIFE OF LOVE?
- Suit Up
What are you wearing?
Colossians 3:14– “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
ABOVE ALL WHAT?
Colossians 3:12-14– “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
A few times in His writings the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “Put on Jesus Christ.”
When you and I “put on Jesus” we put on love!
HOW DO I PUT ON JESUS?
Putting on Christ means abiding in Jesus and living to please Him.
John Wesley described it as “a strong and beautiful expression for the most intimate union with Him, and being clothed with all the graces which were in Him”
We are clothed in Christ when we become so closely united with Jesus that others see Him and not us.
HOW CAN WE GO AFTER A LIFE OF LOVE? SUIT UP
- Show Up
There is so much power in just showing up!
Show up where? Where people need to be loved!
There’s so much power in saying “I’m here!”
I may not have all the answers but I’m here!
Showing up for another, extending yourself for another, is always costly!
1 John 3:16– “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
When we show up for one another, we invade each other, in love!
When we show up we remind each other that we are loved with an everlasting love!
John 13:34-35– “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
HOW CAN WE GO AFTER A LIFE OF LOVE? SUIT UP, SHOW UP
- Stand Up
I’m going to suit up, show up and stand up for Jesus!
“Stand up take a stand for Jesus.” -Petra
If I’m going to STAND UP for Jesus I need to LOOK LIKE Jesus!
Romans 13:14– “Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!”
PUT ON JESUS CLOTHES!
DON’T PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON JESUS!
2 Corinthians 5:14– “For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died;”
After I suit up, and show up, the love of Christ compels me to stand up in love! I can’t just sit here!
Here’s the key if Christ love is compelling me! It’s not just me showing up and standing up, it’s Christ in me!
It’s Ken and Jesus moving toward someone!
Here was Paul’s attitude and I believe it should be ours as well.
The love of Jesus Christ leaves me no choice but to live my life for Him and for others.
CONCLUSION: Today begins ADVENT! Allow this season of Advent to reorient your heart on the First Coming of Jesus. A fresh way for you, your family and this community!
We can suit up, show up and stand up in love because over 2000 years ago love suited up in skin and showed up in a manger, born to woman named Mary and then love stood up on a cross and gave His life for you and me.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?