Growing Love That Lasts a Lifetime
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 2:15PM 
Due to the positive response following the recent message series "Making Love Last for a Lifetime", and for those who have requested more help in the area of relationships, I have written down some of the teachings from the series, plus some extra help with each topic. A link is provided at the end of this material where it can be downloaded and printed in its entirety for easier usage. Review each topic, its basic truths, and then complete the assignments, including the scriptures for memorization. The key to realizing lasting and positive change in your relationships is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. He will work through prayer, God's Word, and our efforts to transform us and fill our relationships with love that lasts a lifetime!
Section Three: Growing Love That Lasts a Lifetime
"Love....bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13:7-8 (NKJV)
In the movie 'Fireproof', Caleb Holt's friend Michael Simmons makes the following statement: "Do you know what that ring on your finger means? It means that you made a lifelong covenant. The sad part about it is when most people say 'for better or for worse', they really only mean for the better."
I. Love 'Bears All Things'
The word 'bears' literally means 'to cover silently or protectively'. When our spouse or child makes a blunder we are faced with three choices:
- Express our disappointment to the point of demeaning their character and deflating their spirit.
- Belittle them for embarrassing us, thereby transferring your shame to them.
- Minimize their hurt, shame, embarrassment, and pain by lovingly protecting them and supporting them.
"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)
II. Love 'Believes All Things'
Love is always eager to believe the best. Love gives the benefit of the doubt.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
III. Love 'Hopes All Things'
We must embrace hope in our relationships! In 1 Corinthians 13:13 hope is linked to faith and love as the greatest Christian virtues. Hope allows us to love someone in the present while banking on a better future with them tomorrow.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
IV. Love 'Endures All Things'
This phrase literally means 'to remain under the load'. Take a look at the most common wedding vows:
- Love
- Honor
- Cherish
- Forsaking All Others
- Richer or Poorer
- Better or Worse
- Sickness and Health
- Until death do you Part
These vows are bristling with commitment. Love that lasts a lifetime means commitment. Commitment means you never leave your partner, especially in a fire.
Suggested Actions:
- PRAY - Pray for the strength of the Holy Spirit to confess all negative actions toward your spouse or children as SIN. Ask God to grow a greater love in you for your spouse. Choose one of the four attributes above and focus on it for a week.
- MEMORIZE - Memorize all of the Scriptures printed above. Saturate your mind with the Scriptures. Find additional verses to memorize that deal with sacrificial love, particularly Christ's love for the church that is the model for our marriage relationships.
- ACT - Choose one of the four attributes above and focus on it for a week. Share these truths with your spouse and tell them of your commitment to love them for the long haul.
Suggested Resources:
The 5 Love languages, by Dr. Gary Chapman. Northfield Publishing. ISBN - 0802473156.
This material in a downloadable file (Microsoft Word 1997-2003)
Christ, commitment, endurance, hope, love, truth in Making Love Last a Lifetime
BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of October 25, 2009
The Hero Victorious Mark 15,16
When have you been faced with overwhelming odds? How did it feel? What did you do to surmount the obstacles before you and gain victory or success? Our text passages this week from Mark 15 & 16 highlight Jesus' trials, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The complete story is not covered in depth, but the scenes we see record some of the darkest days of Jesus' life here on earth. The Son of God willingly allowed Himself to be falsely accused, slandered, abused, condemned, and put to death by the cruelest form of punishment imaginable. His mission to be the sacrifice for the sins of mankind was being carried out, and He stubbornly endured it all, for us. It was His finest hour. And He endured it all alone.
Jesus stood resolutely in the midst of His enemies, rarely speaking a word, and none in His own defense. All of His followers had fled. No one came to His defense. The sleepy disciples who could not even stay awake and pray with Him could not be expected to stand in His defense. The fickle mob that had escorted Him into Jerusalem only a week earlier were now crying out for His extermination. In fact, the only one present to watch Him die was a pagan Roman centurion. Jesus' death so affected the soldier that he was compelled to acknowledge Jesus as God's Son.
Have you ever stood alone in the face of opposition? Have you made a public stand for Christ, only to discover that no one else stood with you? How hard was it to stand alone? There are times when we are compelled to stand for Christ in the middle of open hostility. Other times, the decision to stand for Him and what is right is made and carried out in obscurity. Both are equally difficult. Peer pressure compels us to go along with everyone else and not make waves while our flesh compels us to choose comfort and self over sacrifice and Christ.
What can we do to be ready when called to take a stand for Christ? All this month we have studied important aspects of discipleship. We have learned that it is essential for us to put aside worldly distractions, prioritize our walk with Jesus, and practice spiritual disciplines that foster growth and strength in our faith. Only then will we be ready to stand and emerge victorious when trials come. The banquet comes later; now we are engaged in battle. We cannot become comfortable or lazy in the effort of spiritual growth and preparedness. It takes constant vigilance and diligence.
I rejoice in the end of our story today! Jesus endured and emerged victorious. His death brings new life to all those who believe. His resurrection assures us of God's acceptance of His sacrifice and guarantees our own victory over death. Our future is sure. It is in the present day where the battle rages. We will be called upon to stand for God's truth, to stand for biblical morality, to stand for Christ, and often to stand alone. We, like Jesus, can emerge victorious. We must be ready!