Wherefore I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you...

I. Thank God for saints:

A...who demonstrate faith, love, & hope 1Th 1:3 work of faith, & labour of love, & patience of hope

B...who devour and are transformed by the Scriptures 1Th 2:13 received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.

C...who walk in the truth 2Jo 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 3Jo 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

II.        Bad Faith is:

                  Immature - wishful thinking

                                                               Immaterial - leap in the dark

                                                                Invisible - Clairol (Only God knows for sure)

                                                                Impermanent - disloyal

                                                                Inexpensive - worth what it costs

            Bad Love is: 

              Selfish

                                                                Selective

                                                                Stingy

                                                                Stupid

III. Characteristics of Biblical Love:

Refreshes Phm 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou has toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 7...are refreshed

Works to minister to needs Heb 6:10 God not...forget your work and labour of love, ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Grows and abounds 2Th 1:3 because your faith grows exceedingly,& love of each one of you all toward each other abounds;

Modeled 1Ti 4:12 ...but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Crucial (for the mother) to develop these characteristics in children 1Ti 2:15 However she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness with sobriety.

To be pursued 1Ti 6:11 ...flee from these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Means of holding fast 2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which you heard, in(en) faith and love which is in Christ Jesus

Protects us 1Th 5:8 let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love;...

IV. Prerequisites of Love worth hearing about:

Faith is believing that God is who He said He is and will do what He said He'll do

Hebrews 11 faith is marked by an active self-denial in the pursuit of God's commendation and blessing

1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] a sincere faith:

Spirit energized, sanctifying obedience 1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to a sincere love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Laying down your life - Live giving (2x)

Objective rather than Feeling driven

Valuing another's Best

            View needs

            A-Understand the way in and the way out (past, present, future)

            Long term commitment to achieving goals/solutions

            U-Allow for growth/learning curve

            Expect the best and Encourage the best

Experience Enthusiasm as you Exercise self-control (garden hose)

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What do people hear about BAC? About the faith and love of individuals in BAC?

2. How do we demonstrate faith and love? (unbelief and indifference?)

3. Where are you on the continuum of: faith..conscience/obedience..pure heart..fervent love?

4. As various pressures put the squeeze on your standards, where do compromises occur?

5. True or False: Faith attempts great things for God; love endures great things for God.