From Humbug to Whoville, Week 3: Loving the Unlovable

Published: Dec. 23, 2013, 3:58 a.m.

Title to message:\xa0 Loving the Unlovable

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(Isaiah 1:18) (NLT) \u201cCome now, let\u2019s settle this,\u201d says the Lord. \u201cThough your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. If you will only obey me

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The Unlovable:

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1.\xa0\xa0\xa0 Often use sedation to hide their frustration.

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2.\xa0\xa0\xa0 Often use laughter to hide their loneliness.

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3.\xa0\xa0\xa0 Often use intimidation to hide their insecurity.

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(Matthew 5:47) (MSG) \u201cIf all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.\u201d

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(Matthew 5:9) (MSG) You\u2019re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That\u2019s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God\u2019s family.

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How to Love the Unlovable:

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1.\xa0\xa0\xa0 Give them the benefit of the doubt.

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(Philippians 3:4)(NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

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2.\xa0\xa0\xa0 Speak well of them to others.\xa0

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(Matthew 7: 1) (MSG) Don\u2019t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults\u2014 unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.

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(Ephesians 5:3-4) (MSG) Don\u2019t allow love to turn into lust, setting off a downhill slide into sexual promiscuity, filthy practices, or bullying greed. Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don\u2019t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn\u2019t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect.

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3.\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hope for their change of heart.

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(2 Timothy 2:22-26) (MSG) Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God\u2019s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil\u2019s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.

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(Luke 2:8-10) \u201cAnd there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, \u2018Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.\u2019\u201d