We continued with the fourth of a five part series called “Life Apps” this past weekend at the church I attend. This week’s message is titled “Love App” and can be listened to or viewed at this link. We can read the Bible and know it backwards and forwards but it is applying what God tells us that makes all the difference. Below is an outline of the message. The words black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the Podcast.

1. WHATEVER YOU DO, APPLY THIS.

“Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 (NLT)

Growing spiritually is like physical exercise, we only get the benefit when we use the equipment and work out so to grow spiritually, we must use the equipment called the Bible and do what God tells us to do.

2. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I SAY DOES NOT MATTER.

“If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT)

Follow the golden rule – Do unto others as you would want them to do to you. Look at your neighbor with “Golden Rule” eyes.

3. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I KNOW DOES NOT MATTER.

“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be?” – 1 Corinthians 12:2a (NLT)

Knowledge in our culture is doubling every four years but it hasn’t made the world a more loving place. We have to apply knowledge before we can change the world.

4. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I BELIEVE DOES NOT MATTER.

“And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody.” – 1 Corinthians13:2b (NLT)

5. WITHOUT LOVE, WHAT I GIVE DOES NOT MATTER.

“If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NLT)

6. LOVE IS THE APPLICATION OF TRUST.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

Three phrases
1. Loves gives the benefit of doubt – Thinks good about others
2. Love looks for a generous explanation – Doesn’t jump to conclusion
3. Love chooses trust over suspicion – Believe the best in others

Most of us know what Love is but application is extremely difficult. The good news is that God shows us lessons in the Bible like the “Golden Rule” and a way to apply them is to let the love from the Father flow into our heart until it overflows to those around us. Here’s a video that I pray will inspire application of love with “Golden Rule Eyes” like Pastor Steve explained in the sermon message: Show Me How to Love – Sidewalk Prophets.

Related articles

• Don’t Forget the Love (myheartsmission.com)
• Love Always Wins (brianwilliamsen.wordpress.com)