Loveacts

     I know that this scripture is talking about standing in the gap for someone or something by praying, but it can also mean standing in the gap for someone by love.

     I. What are some of the ways that we can stand in the gap for others?

              A. We just mentioned prayer. JAM 5:16

                        1. I think that we can all see that we are to pray for one another. But what are some of the other areas.

              B. Use our shield of faith on behalf of others. EPH 6:16

                        1. There are times that our faith won’t work for others, because there is a time that they will have to stand on the Word of God for themselves.

                                  a. I remember a story that Oral Roberts told that in one of his meetings he had people fill out a card if they got healed.

                                  b. When he got the cards back, he checked to see what denomination had the highest % rate of healing.

                                  c. The biggest % rates of healing came from the traditional churches, like Lutheran, Methodist, churches like that.

                                           i. More than the spirit filled churches.

                                d. He said The reason for that, was that the people that came from the traditional churches were being carried by his own faith (Oral Roberts’ faith).

                                           i. Where the people from the Spirit filled churches should have been standing on there own faith.

                                           ii. LUKE 12:47-48

                                           iii. In (V 47) He tells us that the servant that knew the will of his Lord and didn’t prepared himself, shall be beaten with many stripes.

                                                     a. Because they knew more, more was required of them.

                                           iii. That means that they are going to have to bear their own burdens, hardships, their own sicknesses, and so on. Because they knew the will of God but didn’t prepare themselves.

                                           iv. Now the big question is, `How do you prepare yourself?’ (ROM 10:17) “So then faith {cometh} by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (KJV)

                                           v. Or you can put it the way that Joshua puts it, (JOS 1:8) “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (KJV)

                                           vi. (LUK 12:48) Says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”

                                           vii. The people from Spirit filled churches have been given much in the area of the Word.   They are required to walk in it.

                        2. You might have seen in a gladiator movie or something like that, where someone is hurt or week. and the someone runs out to help the one that’s week or hurt, and he puts his shield around him to protect him. and they come back safe.

                                  a. That’s what you need to use your shield for, to protect those that are hurt, week or young.

                                  b. Extend your shield of faith around them in love.

              C. Look at 1PE 4:8

                        1. The word “Charity” in this V is the Greek word for “The God kind of love.”

                        2. And when it says “Love shall cover the multitude of sins.”

                                  a. The word “Sin” in this V doesn’t necessarily mean a sin unto God, though it can mean that, but it can also mean someone that has missed the mark.

                                           i. When someone has sinned, of course, they have missed the mark.

                                  b. But when someone is sick or in need they missed the mark in the sense that they were unable to get healed or for their needs to be met. They’ve missed God’s best.

                                           i. In that sense your love will cover their inability’s and hurts and help bring them out of it.

                                           ii. I’m not saying that you have to give them a monetary gift or pay for their doctor visit.

                        3. But love, the God kind of love will cause you to stand in the gap for them; to pray for them and believe God for them. (Not talk about them.)

                                  a. That’s the action of love that were talking about. (Praying and believing God.)

              D. There’s another kind of agape love, The God kind of love.

                        1. 1 definition for the word “Agape” is “Brotherly love.”

                                  a. It has to do with attitude towards one another.

                                  b. When the Bible tells us to “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” like it does in (Matthew 22:37).

                                           i. It’s the same Greek word “Love” in (John 13:34) Where Jesus said “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (KJV)

                                  c. In other words we are to love one another with the same kind of Love that we have for God.

                                           i. Of course, God always has to come 1st, but we are to love one another with the same type of love.

                                d. Look at 1JOHN 4:7-11

                                           i. We are to walk in the same kind of love for one another that God has for us.

                                           ii. In fact, both times the word “Love” is used in (V 11) it’s the same Greek word, “Agapao” (a-ga-po) meaning “Dearly loved.”

                                           iii. We are to love one another with this same type of love that God has for us.

                        2. And this kind of love will cover a multitude of sins.

                                  a. (1CO 13:6 and 7) Says that love rejoices not in iniquity, but it beareth all things, covers it with silence the Greek says.

     II. As we’re trying to walk in love toward one another and stand in the gap for them, there are times that we are going to have to know how to handle evil reports about others.

              A. REV 12:10

                        1. We need to be aware that when something is a false report it’s of the Devil.

                                  a. We don’t know if something is a false report or not. But one thing we do know and that is if we tell someone else it’s gossip.

                                  b. 1TIM 5:19

                                  c. The NIV puts it like this. (1TIM 5:19) “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.”

                                           ii. What I wanted you to see is that many times a story or an accusation against someone is twisted each time it’s told. Unless it comes from 2 or 3 witnesses don’t pay too much attrition to it.

                                           i. We need to hold one another up in love. Love always thinks the best of others.

              B. When an evil report comes about someone else, instead of gossiping and telling others about it.

                        1. Speak only good. That’s what love does.

                        2. EPH 4:29

                                  i. The NIV translation says, “Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only speak that which is helpful for building others up, that it might benefit those who listen.”

     III. As long as we’re on this subject, What do you do when someone makes a false accusation against you, or even offends you?

              A. Again you need to recognize that it is the Devil that brings the false accusations against you.

                        1. It’s not really the person that’s bringing the false accusation. It’s the Devil that’s working behind him.

                                  a. But what if someone offends you, what do you do?

                                           i. Well, you don’t take it out on him.

                        2. MAT 18:15-17

                                  a. 1st Go to that person in private. It says in (V 15) if he shall hears you, you have gained a brother.

                                  b. If he doesn’t respond go again with 2 or 3 witnesses.

                                  c. It shouldn’t ever have to go before the church.

                                           i. Jesus said in (Matthew 5:44) “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (KJV)

                                           ii. If someone has wronged you pray for them and love them.

              B. The bottom line that I’m trying to get across to you is, try to find some way to stand in the gap for one another through LOVE.

February 25, 1990 and WOLCC 6/11/95 SUN AM