LOVE-OLOGY

“Atmosphere-Setting Love”
Pastor Ben Johnson – February 12, 2023

We are all longing for WORTH, FULFILLMENT, and to be KNOWN.

This is real love — not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:10)

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (1 John 4:16)

If God lives in us, we will LIVE in LOVE.

Love is patient and kind. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

… Love is not irritable… (1 Corinthians 13:5)

What undermines love? PAIN. Pain is an involuntary cry for HELP.

HURT - EMPTINESS - LONELINESS - PURPOSELESS

Our love improves as…

1. We focus on OTHERS rather than OURSELVES.
   
   “Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his way with you. This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply.” (2 Peter 1:6-7)
   

2. We focus on BEING A BLESSING rather than BEING BLESSED.
   
   “Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, far as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” (Hebrews 12:15)
   

3. We focus on UNDERSTANDING rather than BEING UNDERSTOOD.
   
   Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Keep EXPLORING God’s VIEW of love.