“PBPWMGIFWMY” Carthage PCA Love thinks that way, but that doesn’t mean that love does not

1 Cor. 13:7c July 19, 2011
Intro. – Hope – A refusal to accept failure as final. Christian – An
expectation that grace will conquer. Why? Not because of what is in
man, but because of the Spirit and the Promises of the Gospel.
I. BECAUSE THE SPIRIT OF THE CHRIST IS LIVING AND WORKINGIN
MY BROTHER’S HEART!
What is the Spirit doing? (not exhaustive)
A. Transforming – raising our sights, increasing our hatred
of sin, building our longing for righteousness, creating
humility
B. Searching the heart (conviction) – lighting the dark
places, conquering the rebellious places
Illus. – It’s interesting to me that we will all acknowledge
that we have rebellion in our hearts. We only struggle to
admit that the current struggle, whatever it is, is evidence
of that rebellion.
C. Teaching – guiding into the truth, changing our
understanding, changing our minds
D. Bears His Fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, gentleness, self-control – progressively. Why?
So we have ownership and approval!
confront and challenge. Love encourages the transformation by teaching
and guiding, not belittling and berating.
Listen to the Apostle Paul. We need to note that this is the
mature Paul--the same Paul who had once separated himself from his
friend and partner, Barnabas, over the inclusion of John Mark in the
second missionary journey. Mark had abandoned the ministry of the first
journey and Paul was so adamantly opposed to including even a
repentant Mark on the second journey that he and Barnabas split up over
it. Later, however, Paul is forced to say to Timothy about Mark, “Pick up
Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.”
So, in Philippians 3:13-15, he says, “Brethren, I do not regard
myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies
behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the
goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us
therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything
you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you…”
Paul here was trusting in the presence and promise of the Holy
Spirit, indwelling his brethren, to bring about conformity in all things to
Christ. It didn’t have to happen right now! God was at work. Paul had
learned to trust.

II. BECAUSE CHRIST HAS PROMISED TO MAKE BOTH MY BROTHER

AND ME LIKE HIMSELF!
“Be patient with me. God isn’t finished with me yet! I am a
masterpiece in progress!”
A. Paul - “I have learned….”
B. “Bringing every thought captive…”
C. Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that
He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the
day of Christ Jesus.

III.

Conc. – This hope is not in my brother or sister. It is in Christ and His

Spirit. When loves looks upon a troubling brother, it says, “This is a
construction area. Some rough spots are to be expected. But the
finished product will be beautiful and beneficial.”