1. LEAP OF FAITH: DEALING WITH THOSE PEOPLE Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

2. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. [10] Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. [11] Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. [12] Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. [13] When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.

3. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) [14] If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. [15] When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. [16] Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! [17] Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. [18] Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. [19] Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written,

4. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord. [20] Instead, do what the Scriptures say: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you." [21] Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

5. TAKE HOME • I can expect to be disappointed by even my closest friends and Family, do I have a plan for dealing with such moments? • The Jesus Method for handling life's potholes and problem People, love those folk anyway. • The Cross is God's best teaching on how to deal with people who break your heart. • I guess I'll have to make up my mind to take the leap of faith from justice to mercy.

6. Lord Jesus, your love is so amazing. Please help me to be merciful, generous and patient with those who disappoint and hurt me. May my relationships reflect my genuine thanks for how you keep on loving me. Commitment:

7. Worship in Song

8. ANNOUNCEMENTS

9. PEOPLE USUALLY PUT THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD (The other foot will show up sometime!)

10. So…. • I'll have to plan on giving 100% rather than the old 50/50 Plan. • Forgiving '70 X 7' assumes that sometimes I'll be the one doing most of the giving and forgiving. • Being patient means I bear with others without using a stopwatch, or even a calendar. • Marriage vows put it pretty good. For Richer or Poorer. For Better or worse.

11. THIS ISN'T FAIR TO US. GET USED TO IT! • It often seems like we face foes who wield double-edged swords, while we are left to fight with a wet noodle: • "Turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, do not return evil for evil."

12. I Corinthians 13 was written with the expectation that others will falter and slip. And to remind us how Christians should choose to react to such disappointment: Love is: • Patient! Assumes others will be slow to grow up. • Not easily angered. Assumes others will push our buttons. • Keeps no record of wrongs , means we will be wronged. • Does not delight in evil , even in relationships and the church. • Hopes all things , even with others give us little hope to cling to. • Perseveres , even when love is hard work.

13. COMMUNION! Our Love Feast

14. Confession: I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord and Savior.

15. Worship in Song

16. THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF SUCH GENUINE, GENEROUS LOVE: • Passing the 'Love Test' is the best way to convince the world that our faith is for real. If your enemy is hungry feed him; • If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. • Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. --Romans 12:20, 21

17. THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF SUCH GENUINE, GENEROUS LOVE: • God's love, in the face our failures and hurting him, is what caused us to repent. • "God's kindness leads you to repent". --Romans 2:4

18. WHEN WE LOVE THOSE WHO HURT US WE PREACH A REVOLUTIONARY NEW GOSPEL. • If your enemy is hungry feed him; • If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. • In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head • Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -- Romans 12:20, 21

19. WHEN WE LOVE THOSE WHO HURT US WE PREACH A REVOLUTIONARY NEW GOSPEL. • 1. WE CAN CHOOSE HOW WE WILL BEHAVE IN HARD TIMES. • 2. WE NEED TO UNDERSTANDS HOW POWERFUL LOVE IS. CONVICTING AND TRANSFORMING. • 3. LOVE MAKES A COMMITMENT TO 'OTHERS'. • 4. LOVE DOESN'T DEMAND JUSTICE IN OUR TIME. • 5. LOVE IS A LEAP! •

20. THE LEAP OF LOVE • I'm not blind to the pain others inflict on me, but I get to choose how I'll proceed from here. • Clara Barton (When asked if she recalled a hurt which she had endured): "I distinctly remember forgetting it!" •

21. PRAYER & PRAISE

22. Worship in Song

23. Your Offering: “ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” --Jesus

24. Worship in Song

25. TAKE HOME • I will take the leap of love when dealing with my closest friends and Family. • No matter what, I will love all those God places in my path. • I will remember the love God demonstrated on the cross even with people who break myheart. • I have made up my mind to take the leap of faith from justice to mercy.

26. Lord Jesus, your love is so amazing. Please help me to be merciful, generous and patient with those who disappoint and hurt me. May my relationships reflect my genuine thanks for how you keep on loving me. Commitment:

27. Go and Take the Leap.