Shifting Gears
If we sometimes go all in to shed physical love handles, we need to pursue relational love handles. Handles help us with the reality that falling in love is easy, but staying in love requires a plan. Love handles are tools and rules that shape and guide relationships toward better outcomes. Love handles can be defined as demonstrable actions and attitudes that create deposits in the emotional bank accounts of our partner. Love handles are ways to leverage love and create real intimacy as God intends.
Welcome to First Baptist. This page is where you will find the sermon notes and more information about what is happening at FBC.
Stay connected:
www.fbcseminole.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FirstSeminole
Twitter: @Seminolefbc
Instagram: @fbcseminolekids
@fbcseminole_youth
We meet Sundays:
9:00 am Worship
10:30 am Worship
Connect Groups throughout the week.
Genesis 4:4-8 NIV
4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Most couples fight most about nothing which means they fight about everything and anything.
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:12 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
James 4:17 NIV
17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Initial Step - Shift out of Park
1st Gear - Use Soft Start-Ups
2nd Gear - Listen Fully with Empathy
3rd Gear - Emotional Support
4th Gear - Rituals of Welcomes and Goodbyes
Initial Step
Shift out of Park
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
First Gear - The Soft Start-Up
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Three ways we create harsh start-ups:
1. We begin with personal criticism.
2. Harsh start-ups describe my spouse instead of focusing on yourself.
3. Harsh startups pile up resentments.
2nd Gear - Listen Fully to Respond with Empathy
Proverbs 15:23 NIV
23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!
Proverbs 15:23 NLT
23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
Proverbs 10:19 NLT
19 Too much talk leads to sin.Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Make sure the words you use are the words you choose.
Proverbs 18:15 NLT
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.Their ears are open for knowledge.
3rd Gear - Emotional Support
Proverbs 18:2 NLT
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
1 Peter 3:7 NLT
7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
4th Gear - Rituals of Welcomes and Goodbyes
Proverbs 11:25 NIV
25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.