| “A More
Excellent Way” Lesson 4: Love
Depleting Challenges To Families “Selfishness and Anger” (1 Corinthians
13:5) Intro: 1. Selfish conduct is often at the core of
many family difficulties. Adultery, divorce, financial woes, etc… are often a
direct result of selfish behavior. 2.
Anger presents itself in a variety of ways. All of which effectively remove
love from a home. 3. Grudges and
resentment are often a result. 4.
These attitudes are in direct contrast to what Jesus demands of his
disciples. (Luke 9:23) I. Challenge
of selfishness within our families.
1. Children come first. (Philippians 2:3-4) a. Parents want to make
sacrifices that benefit their children but some restraint must be used as to
not promote selfishness in our children.
b. It benefits children to accept some responsibility for the things
they have. (Lamentations 3:27) c.
Selfishness can be avoided when God is first. (Matthew 10:37) d. Teach our children to be giving.
(Matthew 19:20-22) e. Genuine love
for our children will compel us to avoid the things that cause
selfishness. 2. Selfishness can
destroy harmony within a local body of Christians. (3 John 1:5-10) II. Anger harms the love within our
families. 1. Slow to anger. (James
1:19-20) 2. Watch our words. (Proverb
15:1) a. Words are more harmful than
we realize. b. Anger is often
expressed in words that linger for a long time. (Proverb 18:19) 3. Love overcomes anger. a. When angry, serve. (John 13:14-17) b. When angry, provoke others to good
works. (Hebrews 10:24) c. When angry,
be accountable. (Romans 12:18) III.
Thoughts for the unmarried who are looking for a godly mate. 1. Be cautious concerning a potential
spouse who expresses selfishness or anger before marriage. 2. A potential spouse should demonstrate
themselves godly before I enter into a marriage. (Matthew 21:19) 3. Challenges come when we ignore problems
until after we enter the marriage. (1 Corinth. 7:10-15) 4. No amount of cards, flowers, gifts, or
expressions of “I love you” grants permission for anyone to be abusive.
(Emotionally, physically, or spiritually.)
Conclusion: 1. Love does not “behave itself unseemly.” (1 Corinthians
13:5) 2. Love avoids anger and
selfishness. 3. Love wants to promote
caring and giving in every environment. |
