Nurture joyful affection

Topics: affection, God's grace, affection of Jesus

I. Guard the affection of your heart

* Nurture joyful affection by cherishing people with a pure heart!

1. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart (Philippians 1:7a).
2. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
3. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23).

II. Share the affection of God's grace

* Nurture joyful affection by being passionate for the gospel of grace!

1. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me (Philippians 1:7).
2. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).

III. Pursue the affection of Christ Jesus<

* Nurture joyful affection by expressing the fruit of the Spirit!

1. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:8).
2. Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him" (John 14:23).
3. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (Ephesians 5:1, 2).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, July 12th, 2026.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

Nurture joyful affection

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Paul models for us the great example of heartfelt affection for brothers and sisters in the Lord. Discuss as a Life Group how you can nurture joyful affection for others.

Getting Started:

1. How do you maintain affection with other Believers, especially when there is physical distance?
2. Sandy and I chose 1 Thessalonians 2:8 as our theme verse for entering the ministry. How important is it to invest in biblical truth (the gospel) and personal relationships (our own lives) with genuine affection?

Discussing Truths:

1. What is involved in joyfully cherishing people in your heart?
2. Do you view your relationship within the community of COTW as a partnership in the gospel of grace?
3. Why do you think that Paul's circumstances (being in prison) did not change his love for the people in Philippi?/li>
4. How did Jesus express His compassion, love, and affection to others (one example is in Matthew 9:36-38)?
5. What does Paul want to convey to the Corinthian Believers when he wrote: "I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together" (2 Corinthians 7:3)?
6. Discuss ways that you can "Guard your affections", "Share your affections," and "Pursue your affections" to glorify God and inspire others.

Now What? Application:

1. Would you be able to call God as your witness of how you yearn for people with the affection of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:8)? If not, ask God to search you and transform your love into genuine care and concern for others (Psalm 139:23, 24).
2. How can you "walk in love, just as Christ also loved you" (Ephesians 5:2)?