Unconditional Love talk delivered by Shane and Andrea Fell at the Young Couples Fellowship at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. April 10, 2010.

1. Unconditional Love Love Like Christ April 10, 2010

2. Ephesians 5:1-2 1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3. If you were to begin living out the attributes of Christ-Like love, what do you think it would do for your marriage?

4. I Corinthians 13: 1-8 1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

5. I Corinthians 13: 1-8 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.

6. Unconditional Love Unconditional Love is Active Unconditional Love is Sacrificial Unconditional Love is Kind Unconditional Love is Persevering

7. 1. Unconditional Love is Active

8. Unconditional Love and Strawberries …

9. Shane’s idea of picking up strawberries …

10. Andrea’s idea of picking up strawberries …

11. I John 4:7-11 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

12. I John 3:16-18 16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

13. Active Love in Marriage Do something for your spouse each week that you know they would appreciate. Ask your spouse how you can best show them love. Become a student of your spouse. Look for opportunities to serve together.

14. 2. Unconditional Love is Sacrificial

15. Mark 10:45 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

16. John 15: 9-13 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

17. Sacrificial Love in Marriage When was the last time you joyfully gave up something you wanted to do for the benefit of your spouse? When was the last time you joyfully did something for or with your spouse that they love to do … even if it’s something you don’t particularly enjoy? Does you spouse know that, other than Christ, they are your top priority?

18. “Next to your walk with Christ, your relationship with your wife is the most important thing you will ever be about.” Pete Briscoe

19. Husband of the Year Awards

20. Honorable Mention: UK

21. Honorable Mention: U.S.A.

22. Honorable Mention: Poland

23. Third Place: Greece

24. Second Place: Serbia

25. First Place: Ireland

26. 3. Unconditional Love is Kind

27. Ephesians 4:29 – 5:32 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

28. “Kindness is love’s readiness to enhance the life of another person. Kindness comes from small behaviors.” Les & Leslie Parrott

29. “Unconditional love is loving your spouse exactly as they are, while at the same time encouraging them to become all that God has made them to be.”

30. Kind Love in Marriage Say “I Love You” often, and back it up with action. Support your spouse as they use their gifts and talents. Offer encouragement. Talk well of your spouse in the company of others. Find moments to go beyond what’s expected and show extravagant love.

31. Celebration of Chocolate

32. 4. Unconditional Love is Persevering

33. I Corinthians 13: 7-8 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.

34. Robertson McQuilkin President of Columbia International University 1968-1990

35. Persevering Love in Marriage Understand that Christ-like love is impossible without Christ. Do not expect perfection from your spouse – offer grace and forgiveness. Find joy in laying down your life … not just in the big things, but in the day-to-day. Laugh together often!

36. Small Group Discussion Which of the attributes of love from I Corinthians 13 is the most challenging for you personally? How can you “lay down your life” for your spouse? What are some practical ways you can actively love your spouse? What gifts and talents does your spouse have that you can encourage?