“Envy, Love’s Enemy!”Today’s Topic

EnvyIntense negative feelings over the success, achievement, and/or prosperity of others.

Envy asks, “Why them?”

Gratitude asks, “Why me?”

Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. (James 3:16 Message Bible)

Diagnostic Check:1. Do you secretly get upset when

others succeed around you?2. Do you belittle the

accomplishment of others?3. Are you tempted to bad mouth a person to whom you feel inferior?4. Are you secretly pleased when a

friend, family member suffer a setback?

Bitterness, Resentment, and Emptiness are best

friends with ENVY!

Biblical Illustrations of Bitterness, Resentment, Emptiness, and ENVY.

1. Cain and Abel (Gen 4:3-8)2. Jacob vs. Brothers (Gen 37:11,28)3. Rachel envied Leah (Gen 30:1)

4. Saul envied David (1 Sam 19:9-10)5. High Priest vs. Apostles (Acts 5:17-18)6. Jews vs. Paul & Barnabas (Acts 13:45-

50)

Aeschylus“Few men have the strength to honor a friend’s success without envy.”

Envy’s Strategy1. Ostracism 2. Gossip & Slander3. Litigation4. The “Evil Eye”5. Violence

Remedy for Envy1. Admit it!2. Apologize3. Cleanse and Maintain (prayer fasting)

Ignore this slide and the next slide

Other Agape features as seen in Jesus

1. Is not afraid to make itself vulnerable2. Helps others and seeks their highest good.3. Values others as worthy ends in themselves,and does not merely use them as a means to an end.4. Not merely emotional, but devotional

3 Vision Points1. Maturing2. Soulwinning3 . Expanding

Vision Point 1 Maturing

Christian maturity means to grow in Christ-liknessa. Attendance-general services & ancillary classes/programsb. Timelinessc. Commit to daily prayer & bible readingd. Be a Covenant Keeper

Vision Point 2 SoulwinningLuke 19:10; Matt 28:19-20

Statistics in church growth tendencies3 out of 10 stick

Vision Point 3 Expanding

New Journey Expansion Project

Living a Life ofLOVENew Series

Ephesians 5:2