Abounding Love: A Divine Call to Action

In this session on 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, the focus is on the prayer for love to increase and abound among the Thessalonians. The passage is a benediction that directs attention both towards God and towards others. The prayer is not a critique of a deficiency in love but rather a call for a superabundance of love, building on the love they already exhibit. The aim is to encourage believers to press on in faith, trusting God for an overflow of love for one another and for all people.

The love Paul speaks of is not merely about actions but also involves deep affection and a heartfelt desire for others. It is a love that is both affectionate and active, encompassing deeds of kindness and a genuine yearning for the well-being of others. This love is to be extended to both believers and unbelievers, with a special intensity for fellow believers due to their shared faith.

The prayer emphasizes the role of the Lord Jesus in causing this increase in love. It is a divine work, a miracle that transforms hearts to love as Christ loves. This transformation requires a surrender of our autonomy, allowing God to conquer our selfishness and enable us to love beyond our natural capacity. The prayer is a call to be dependent on God, recognizing that without His intervention, we cannot love as we ought.

Paul's prayer is mirrored in other scriptures, such as 2 Thessalonians 1:3 and Philippians 1:9-11, where the growth of love is attributed to God's work. The fruit of love is a result of the Spirit's work in us, and it is through Jesus Christ that this love abounds. The ultimate goal is the glory and praise of God, as He is the decisive cause of our love, purity, and righteousness.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Love is both affectionate and active, requiring a heartfelt desire for others and deeds of kindness. It is not enough to perform acts of kindness without genuine affection. True love involves both the heart and the hands, reaching out to both believers and unbelievers with sincerity and compassion. [04:26]
• 2. The increase and abounding of love is a divine work, a miracle that God performs in our hearts. We must be willing to surrender our autonomy and allow God to transform us, recognizing that without His intervention, we cannot love as Christ loves. [07:19]
• 3. Our love for others is a reflection of God's work in us, and it is through Jesus Christ that this love grows. As we pray for love to abound, we acknowledge that it is God who causes this growth, and we give Him the glory for the transformation in our lives. [10:07]
• 4. The fruit of the Spirit, including love, is a result of God's decisive causality in our lives. As we act in love, we are participating in the miracle that God is working in us, aligning our actions with His will and purpose. [11:03]
• 5. Our responsibility is to act the miracle of love, working out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good pleasure. This partnership with God in love is both a privilege and a calling. [11:38]
  ** [11:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Introduction to the Benediction
• [00:36] - Prayer for Love to Abound
• [01:14] - Context of the Prayer
• [01:52] - Not a Critique but a Call for Abundance
• [02:10] - Encouragement to Press On
• [02:49] - The Nature of Love
• [03:22] - Affectionate and Active Love
• [04:26] - Love for Believers and Unbelievers
• [06:22] - Divine Work of Love
• [07:19] - Surrendering Autonomy
• [08:29] - God's Work in Love
• [09:41] - Love Through Jesus Christ
• [10:07] - Glory and Praise to God
• [11:22] - Acting the Miracle of Love
• [12:28] - Conclusion and Call to Action

1. What does Paul specifically pray for in 1 Thessalonians 3:12 regarding the Thessalonians' love? How does this reflect his view of their current state of love? [00:36]
2. In the sermon, how is the love Paul describes characterized? What two aspects are emphasized? [04:26]
3. According to the sermon, what role does the Lord Jesus play in the increase and abounding of love among the Thessalonians? [06:22]
4. How does Paul describe the relationship between God's work and human action in the growth of love, as mentioned in the sermon? [11:22]

1. Why does Paul emphasize that the increase of love is a divine work rather than a human effort? How does this perspective affect the way believers should approach their relationships with others? [07:19]
2. What might Paul mean by saying that love should be both affectionate and active? How can these two aspects of love be balanced in a believer's life? [04:26]
3. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the idea that God is the decisive cause of their love and righteousness? What implications does this have for their daily lives? [10:07]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers should surrender their autonomy to allow God to work in their hearts? How might this surrender manifest in practical terms? [07:52]

1. Reflect on a recent interaction where you showed kindness. Was it accompanied by genuine affection? How can you ensure that your acts of kindness are motivated by heartfelt love in the future? [04:26]
2. Consider a relationship in your life where love is lacking. What steps can you take to invite God to work a miracle of love in that relationship? [07:19]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to love others as Christ loves. What practical steps can you take to surrender this area to God and allow Him to transform your heart? [07:52]
4. Think about a time when you felt God's love working through you. How did it change your perspective or actions? How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's work in your life daily? [10:07]
5. How can you actively participate in the "miracle of love" that God is working in you? What specific actions can you take this week to align your actions with God's will and purpose? [11:22]
6. Reflect on a situation where you found it difficult to love someone. What prayer or scripture can you use to prepare your heart for future interactions with that person? [08:11]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to press on in faith and love? What role can you play in fostering an environment where love abounds among believers and unbelievers alike? [02:49]