Scripture References: Matthew 24:12-14; Psalm 34:5; 1 Corinthians 13; Matthew 6:5-6; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Matthew 18:3
Intro: Welcome to today's sermon. A question has been running through my head: Is my love growing up, or is it growing cold? Jesus warned in Matthew 24 that in the last days, "because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." But He also said, "the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." We want to be part of that group whose love endures and grows – softer, brighter, more daring, more visible.
Key Points:
- The Danger of Cold Love (Matt 24):
- Two types of believers emerge: those whose love grows cold (the majority) who turn away, betray, and hate; and those who stand firm, endure, and see the gospel go forth.
- Our desire is to be the enduring group, a "gospel people doing gospel things for gospel reasons."
- Dealing with Lack of Fruit & Hypocrisy:
- We can feel ashamed when our lives don't align with our beliefs (hypocrisy). Recognize the difference between spiritual gifting (what we do) and spiritual fruit (love, joy, peace...).
- If you see a lack of fruit, don't despair. The answer is to look to Him (Jesus). "Those who look to him are radiant" (Ps 34:5). Abide in Him, and the fruit will come (John 15).
- Putting Away Childish Love (1 Cor 13):
- Maturity in love requires putting away childish things (1 Cor 13:11). This isn't necessarily about gifts ceasing, but about not overemphasizing them at the expense of love.
- Childish traits that make love grow cold:
- Attention-Seeking: Needing the spotlight; only serving in visible roles. Love isn't proud or boastful. Overcome by knowing your Heavenly Father sees and rewards in secret (Matt 6:6).
- Withholding/Blackmail: Taking your ball and going home; only giving love when conditions are perfect or reciprocated. Love keeps no record of wrongs, endures all things.
- Needing Payoffs: Requiring immediate rewards or incentives. Love isn't self-seeking. Do things from God's love, not for it.
- Cultivating Childlike Love:
- While shedding childish ways, embrace childlike qualities (Matt 18:3) that help love grow up:
- Wonder & Joy: Delight in God; explore instead of reducing everything.
- Receptivity & Openness: Be teachable; willing to receive from God and others.
- Emotional Honesty: Let your love be visible and authentic.
- Adventure & Risk-Taking: Step out in love even if it means getting hurt (like Paul in 2 Cor 4). Calculated, safe love often grows cold.
- While shedding childish ways, embrace childlike qualities (Matt 18:3) that help love grow up:
- The Right Motivation: For God's Sake:
- Why do we love? If it's for ourselves (what we get out of it), our love will eventually grow cold.
- Mature love is loving God for God's sake, and loving ourselves and others for God's sake. He is the end, not the means. Our endurance is "for His name's sake."
Conclusion: Our Christianity is only as real as our love. We face a choice: let love grow cold through childish self-focus, or let it grow up through childlike dependence, wonder, and risk, motivated purely by love for God Himself. Let's put away childish things and cultivate a childlike faith that fuels enduring, visible love.
Call to Action:
- Honestly assess: Is your love growing softer, brighter, more daring, or more calculating and less available?
- Identify one childish trait (attention-see
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