Excel Still More

For those who asked – here’s an outline of the message that was cut short.

Love matters. If there is one thing that we don’t want to be mediocre at, it’s love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). And yet we all fall short. We all have lots of room to improve.

How do I “excel still more” at loving my brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10)? It is a long, deep, and somewhat mysterious subject, but four of the key ingredients are:

1. Live in the Word

John 3:30-32, 1 Peter 2:2, James 1:21, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Main point – We do not and cannot grow and change on our own. Spiritual growth is conditional. We need the living and active Word of God to be flowing in and through our lives so the Spirit can use it to change us.

2. Be transformed one choice at a time

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, Romans 6:16

Main Point – We are the product of our choices. We become the slave of whichever master we choose to obey — either sin or righteousness. If the Word is flowing through our lives, the Spirit will use it to make us aware of the choices that are making (many of which are often made by our automatic pilot so we aren’t even aware of them); and He will remind us of the truth that should guide us in making those choices. He will do all that He can to help us make our choices differently, and through that become different people. If we are to grow in love, we must become aware of and make different choices (to be patient, to be kind, to not take offense, to not rejoice in unrighteousness, etc.)

3. Become a properly functioning part of the church family (not just the campus ministry but the church family)

Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 4:15-16

Main Point – We are meant to grow and mature individually as part of a growing and maturing church family. This is especially true when it comes to love. Love who? One another! Christ’s design is for His body to build itself up in love. It is not for each individual part of the body to be built up separately, or for a segment of the body to be built up separately. If we each strive to be a properly functioning part of the body, the body will be built up in love and we will mature with it.

4. Embrace (don’t run from) hardship

James 1:2-4

It speaks for itself.