Sunday Morning Worship
August 19, 2012
Series: “What’s Love Got to do With It?”
Today: “The Most Difficult Way”
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 
Intro: Would these three goals be good goals you would want to describe you?
1. To be effective in dealing with conflict in your interpersonal relationships.
2. To be effective in encouraging and ministering to your brothers and sisters in the Lord.
3. To be effective in encouraging people who are far from God .
I. THE MOTIVATION TO THE DIFFICULT PATH.
A. 1 Peter 4:7 – “The end of all things is near.”
B. God is watching how you interact with people.
1. He sees us when we judge them rather than love them.
Matthew 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
2. He hears how we talk to each other.
Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
3. He grieves when we destroy our witness .
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
II. THE ACTIONS AND REACTIONS OF LOVE.
A. Love covers a multitude of sins .
B. When God’s love is in full operation in our lives, we are able to overlook a massive amount of offenses that people inflict on us.
Conclusion: The Apostle Peter tells us how important this principle is: 1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all… love deeply!”