Different: The Fruit of the Spirit for love that is talked about in 1 Corinthians 13 is agape. It is unconditional A Love that Flourishes and focused on others. Why is this kind of love so hard? Why do you think Scripture: Christ is calling us to love like this?

Read: Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 5. Read this quote by Jerry Bridges. What stands out to you?

Introduction: I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you. All of us are dealing with the challenges of COVID 19, though these challenges I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you. and their intensities vary from person to person. It is easy to panic or get I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you and want you to frustrated. Yet, God is calling us to be different than the world. How is that have the best. possible? During our series entitled “Different” we are going to be looking at I do not boast about my attainments because I love you and want to hear how God can develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives to impact our about yours. community. We will come to realize our “difference” isn’t based on our I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself. efforts. We need to learn to lean on Jesus more than our efforts. As we go to I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings. God in the midst of our struggles, he can develop our character through the I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs. Holy Spirit. This development is what we often refer to as the “Fruit of the I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your Spirit.” This week’s sermon looks at the fruit of love. offenses.

I do not keep a record of wrongs because I love you and “love covers a Pastor Paul reminds us about three things: multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). - Focus on love, not on being impressive.

- Realize that your understanding of love might be deficient. Being determined to love does not work. - Being determined to love does not work. 6. Jon Tyson states: “The Spirit will sustain what adrenaline can’t.” Pastor Paul

pointed out that when adrenaline is gone and we settle into a routine and we Let’s explore these ideas. are just enduring, it is easy to give up. Our love is like that too. It doesn’t last.

But you know what? Jesus’ love will. It will last. It does last. It doesn’t fail. Discuss: 1. As you reflect on the sermon, what stood out to you? In what ways can you look to Christ to help you love others when it is difficult? Focus on love, not on being impressive. 2. In 1 Corinthians 13 we are reminded to focus on love, not on being Apply impressive. Paul reminds the church at Corinth that if you speak in impressive If we are going to be “Different” and flourish in the season of stagnation, it ways and have great faith and yet you don’t have love, it is meaningless. Why starts with love. But we can’t do it by ourselves; we need Christ. Take some do you think we tend to focus on impressing others rather than loving others? time to pray and reflect on this prayer:

3. During this COVID season what makes it difficult for you to love others? Abba, help me to glorify you. Lord Jesus, help me to carry the cross

and follow you. Holy Spirit, please ripen the fruit in my life: love, joy, Realize that your understanding of love might be deficient. peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentles, and self- 4. Our culture tends to romanticize love. “If I don’t feel it, it must not be real, control. it must not be true. If I don’t feel it, it must not be authentic.” Pastor Paul pointed out a danger in this kind of thinking: We won’t love and serve others Re-read 1 Corinthians 13. Who is someone you can reach out to this week and when we don’t feel it. This is a wrong understanding of love. This kind of love how can you share the love of Christ that is described in this passage? is based on you. The Bible calls us to a different kind of love. The Biblical word