The Joy of Love

1. 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 The Joy of Love

2. What Is Christian Joy?

3. What Is Christian Joy?

4. What Is Christian Joy?

5. What Is Christian Joy? “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” 1Thes.2:19 Significant!

6. What Is Christian Joy? “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” 1Thes.2:19 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 1 Thess, 3:9 Significant!

7. What Is Christian Joy? “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” 1Thes.2:19 Significant!

8. Victory Despite Great Strife

9. Victory Despite Great Strife 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men 2:14-16

10. Victory Despite Great Strife 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men 1 Thess. 2:14-16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins… 1 Thess/ 2:14-16 TRIBALJEALOUSY

11. Victory Despite Great Strife 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men 1 Thess. 2:14-16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins… 1 Thess/ 2:14-16 RABID

12. Victory Despite Great Strife 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men 1 Thess. 2:14-16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins… 1 Thess/ 2:14-16 …But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. 1 Thess. 2:16 Always Discredited

13. Victory Despite Great Strife 5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. 1 Thess. 3:5

14. Victorious Love Requires • Commitment! • 2:17 “Great desire to see your face…” • 2:18 “We wanted to come to you…” • 3:1 “Couldn’t take it anymore…” • 3:6 “We also long to see you…” • 3:10 “…that we might see your face…” • 3:11 “…direct our way to you…”

15. Victorious Love Requires • Commitment! • Vulnerability! • 3:1,5 “…could endure it no longer…” • 3:8,9 “for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account…” “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

16. Victorious Love Requires • Commitment! • Vulnerability! • Growth! 3:12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

17. Victorious Love Requires • Commitment! • Vulnerability! • Growth! 1 Thessalonians 3:12 …for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

18. Victorious Love Requires • Commitment! • Vulnerability! • Growth!

19. GROWTH: Are You Diffuse or Tribal? • You’re an INFANTILE • You’re a love-taker • Depend on others to give you love feelings. • Worship Love Feelings. • You rely on counterfeit Love Feelings. • You’re a Work-Sub • You love sacrificially… • But superficially • Rigid & scared of emotions • You’re a Work 4 Love • You love sacrificially… • But you manipulate… • You’re guilty & inflict guilt… For Diffuse… For Tribal…

20. The “Joy of Love” Means Victory: • Stop Stimulation Addiction • Stop demanding love! • Commit To 1 Relationship • With a Tribal Person • Regular, weekly time • No matter what • Build Love Values • Sacrificial Giving • Stop Controlling! • Drop the rules (&bitterness) • Practice Vulnerability • Personal Inner Workings • Shared Emotional Worlds • No matter what! • Build Love Feelings • Mix w/ Diffuse… For Diffuse… For Tribal…

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