Extreme Makeover – Inside Edition (Building Loving Relationships)
A 4 Part Series - Stand-alone sermons – Over the decades, Extreme Makeovers, or makeovers in general, have become very popular; used to describe anything from stunning transformations of gardens and houses, to the shaping and reshaping of the human body - either through diets, exercises and/or surgical procedures. In short, we’ll go to almost any length to enhance the look, or shape of our bodies, hoping to feel better about ourselves.
However, as important as it is to take care of the bodies God has given us (unnecessary surgical procedures not-with-standing), it’s even more important to take care of our inner selves, because that’s what actually defines us emotionally, socially and spiritually. The reality is that God wants to take us on a quest or journey to transform us so that we can genuinely live as people created in the image of God, becoming ever more Christ-like in our character and conduct.
At the centre of that quest is the ability to love others deeply. That’s how you build strong friendships, marriages, families, churches, neighbourhoods and communities. We’re going to explore how to develop loving relationships by looking at some of the 15 vivid descriptors used to describe what love looks like from God’s perspective, and then apply that love to our lives.
(Note: there’s a video dramatic sketch that can be used to introduce the series or a stand-alone sermon)
Love Means Developing a Calm Demeanor & a Forgiving Spirit - Many relationships & friendships are strained because of two things: a tendency toward anger and an unwillingness to forgive. During this topic we will learn how to embrace a godly sense of calmness, along with a forgiving spirit, so that we can cultivate the kind of loving relationships that God calls us to.
Love Means Delighting in the Truth – Sadly, too many people today believe that love is primarily a feeling, and as such something that is easily lost. The Bible, however, tells us that “true love” - the kind of love that is lasting – begins with an act of the will. Today we want to examine two statements from I Corinthians 13 that will help us learn how to love others from God's perspective.
Love Means Protecting and Trust Each Other - The sacrificial love that a mother has for a child is a wonder to see. It's also a glimpse of the kind of love God has for us, and, the kind of love He wants us to have in all our relationships. This topic will look at two important characteristics of this love that are listed for us in I Corinthians 13 – to protect and trust one another. (This sermon can also be used on Mother’s Day).
Love is Commitment – Commitment – Commitment!!! - One of the most important characteristics in building a lasting and intimate friendship is “commitment”. Sadly though, this is a characteristic that is lacking today, not only in our society at large but also among Christ followers as well. If we want to dramatically and irrevocably change this trend, it's important that we bring two loving qualities from I Corinthians 13 into our relationships: hope and perseverance.