Introduction

• I Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind

• Jesus had to deal with His confused, immature apostles (Matthew 16:8).

Is not jealous (does not envy)

• Jealousy never leads to good (Acts 5:17-19; 7:9)
• Romans 12:15 – Rejoice for those who do well.

Does not take into account a wrong suffered (resentful), bears and endures all things

• Think of the harm you do to yourself by holding a grudge (Proverbs 19:11).
• Matthew 18:15 – You can’t just ignore sin. That’s different from enforcing some personal type of justice.
• Luke 4:28-30 – When people wanted to kill Him, Jesus just left!

Love does not brag (boast), is not arrogant, does not seek its own (insist on its own way)

• If we’re fixated on ourselves, we can’t humbly serve others (Matthew 20:20-28).

Does not act unbecomingly (rude), is not provoked (irritable)

• Don’t go around with a chip on your shoulder (I Samuel 25:3, 10-11).

Introduction

• Deuteronomy 6:1-5 – The greatest command – love God.

He loved us when we weren’t lovable.

• Deuteronomy 7:7-8
• Why does God treat us the way He does? Out of love!
• Romans 5:6-8; 3:10
• I John 4:10
• Ephesians 2:1-7
• God knows all our secrets and faults, but He loves us anyway!
• Hebrews 8:12 – God shows us mercy and forgiveness.

It only makes sense to love Him back.

• I John 4:19
• Hosea 11:1-7 – So many times God’s children have turned from Him.
• I John 2:15
• Deuteronomy 32:6-18

What that means:

• Delight in the Lord – Psalm 84
• Delight in His word – Psalms 119:97-104
• Obey Him – I John 5:3
• Love others – Matthew 22:39; I John 3:11-18; 4:11, 20
  • The second greatest command – love others.

Conclusion

• Loving God is the basis of our character as Christians.

We can be involved in the work for years and still sin.

• Mark 3:13-14; 6:7, 12-13, 30 – Judas was involved with the work of the apostles. There’s a reason Jesus chose him.
• Luke 22:1-6

You must nip sin in the bud.

• John 12:1-6 – Judas would steal from the money box.
• Matthew 25:14-16 – Judas’ thievery got worse!
• John 7:30
• James 1:14-15

I shouldn’t give up on myself!

• Matthew 27:1-5 – Judas hanged himself after betraying Jesus.
• I Corinthians 6:19-20

Introduction

• Luke 3:11-14 – John the Baptist told particular people what they needed to know.

Ten verses

1. Mark 8:38
   • If someone knows you well, but doesn’t know you are a Christian, something is probably wrong.
   • Am I hesitant to share spiritual things online?
2. Proverbs 26:17
   • Don’t add unnecessary conflict to your life. Mind your business!
   • I Peter 4:15
   • Matthew 18:15 – Handle things are privately as possible.
   • Romans 12:18
   • Proverbs 18:17 – You may only have one side of the story!
3. Job 31:1
   • Social media makes it very easy to indulge in lust of the eyes.
   • Don’t post those photos, and don’t look at them! Both sides of this are sin.
4. Proverbs 18:19
   • If we use up our credibility on something that doesn’t matter, how can we win over someone on something that does matter?
5. Galatians 5:22-23
   • Earth would be an amazing place if we all exhibited the fruit of the spirit.
   • A lot of good can be done on social media!
6. James 1:19
   • Be quick to hear and slow to speak!
   • Social media prompts us to respond immediately to everything.
7. I Peter 3:3-4
   • Instagram is particularly toxic to young girls.
8. I Peter 2:12
   • People should notice we are different in a good way.
   • Imagine looking at your own social media profile as another person. How do you look online?
9. Galatians 6:10
   • Do good to all, especially those of the household of faith.
   • Colossians 3:16
10. Psalms 130:3-4
    • Aren’t we glad that God forgives?

• Define “truth”

  • The true or actual state of a matter.

• Does it matter who makes a “true” statement? Does its “truthfulness” vary because of who said it?

• Define “race”

  • A group of persons related by common descent or heredity.

• Define “discrimination”

• Define “prejudice”

• Define “racism”

• What does the Bible not say about racism?

  • Genesis 4:15 – It does not say the mark of Cain was light or dark skin.

  • Numbers 12:1 – It does not say it is sinful to marry a Cushite woman because she was dark skinned.

  • Genesis 9:27 – It does not say black men must be slaves.

  • Deuteronomy 7:6-9 – It does not say white men are to be superior.

• What does the Bible say about racism?

  • Genesis 1:26-28 – There is one race: mankind.

  • Exodus 2:21

  • Numbers 12:1, 8

  • Jeremiah 38:7-10; 39:16-17

• How do you picture characters of the Bible?

• Dealing with prejudice and racism

  • John 1:46; 4:9; 8:48; Acts 22:21; John 7:24 – Prejudice was a problem in the New Testament.

  • Galatians 2:11-14

  • Acts 17:24-28 – There is no distinction with God.

  • Galatians 3:28

  • Acts 10:28

  • Acts 2:39

  • Galatians 6:3

  • Philippians 2:3

  • I John 4:20

  • Colossians 3:10

  • Matthew 7:12; 22:37-39

  • Titus 3:1

  • II Corinthians 5:16

  • John 10:16

• Racism is not a skin problem. It is a sin problem.