2 Corinthians 12:6-10  (HCSB)6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so ...  Read More

2 Corinthians 12:1-5  (HCSB)Sufficient Grace 12 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows— 4 was caug...  Read More

GODLY LOVESpiritual gifts and virtues are hollow and meaningless if not done in love.KEY TRUTH: Without Love We Are Nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)KEY TRUTH: Love Puts Others Ahead of Self (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)KEY TRUTH: Love Endures Forever (1 Corinthians 13:8-13)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!In 1 Corinthians 13:4--8, which attitudes show love, and which do not?  Why sho...  Read More

1.  Have you considered the weight of carrying around unforgiveness? What are some tangible steps you can take to move toward forgiveness? I challenge you to pray about it and feel the burden lift off your shoulders.2. Can you define love in your own personal relationship with God? How? When have you seen this most apparent in your own life or in others?3. When was the last time you truly spoke to...  Read More

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (HCSB)8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  10 But when the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man,...  Read More

1 Corinthians 13:4-7  (HCSB)4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, 5 does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Tim Kirkup These verses give a summary ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (HCSB)Love: The Superior Way 13 If I speak human or angelic languages but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in ...  Read More

Matthew 5:43-48  (HCSB)Love Your Enemies43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what re...  Read More

John 15:12-17 (HCSB)12 This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard...  Read More

GOD EQUIPS US TO SERVEBecause of God’s great grace, mercy, and love, anyone can find salvation through Jesus Christ.KEY TRUTH: Apart From Christ, Every Person Is a Sinner Who Is Spiritually Dead (Romans 3:10–12; 6:1–4)KEY TRUTH: In Christ, Believers Are Set Free From Slavery to Sin and Can Choose to Live for God (Romans 6:5–23)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!What is grace? ...  Read More

1.  What is God calling you to throw off, to die to? How will you feel once you do? What fruit did you reap when you focused on yourself? What fruit do you reap with God as your focus?2.  What does sanctification mean to you? Should it affect your daily life—how you drive, how you manage employees, how you cheer in the sports stands?3.  How can you remind yourself that death doesn’t have the final...  Read More

Romans 6:20-23  (HCSB)20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness. 21 So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the end is eternal life! 23 For the wage...  Read More