A couple of weeks ago we looked at the topic that God is love.
- 1 John 4:8
The word love is the Greek word, agape, which is that word that is not just mere emotion but is the love that seeks the best of others, that seeks the best interest of others. As brethren we're to love one another. As brethren there is the idea of brotherly love. Brotherly love is an affectionate love, somewhat emotional, based on our emotion.
Agape is love that is not based on emotion at all. There are emotions that go along with it. But, agape seeks the best interest of others.
- 1 Corinthians 13
This chapter is the chapter often referred chapter on love, or the chapter on agape. We're going to be looking at the characteristics of what true agape love is.
This section of scripture comes in the middle of a discussion that Paul is having on spiritual gifts. In the 12th chapter he's talking about the spiritual gifts that were given in the 1st century. In the 13th chapter he's talking abou thow long these spiritual gifts would last. And, chapter 14 he gives guidance on how these gifts were to be used in the assembly. In the course of his discussion, he talks about a better way. Something that is better than all those spiritual gifts, more important than those spiritual gifts, and something that will last longer than those spiritual gifts.
And so, he proposes a more excellent way. He encourages them to desire the better gifts.
- 1 Corinthians 12:31
He says, these spiritual gifts in the 1st century were important, they were needful. But he's going to discuss something more important than that. He's going to discuss in chapter 13, a more excellent way, that of agape.
The Necessity of Agape Love
- Agape Described
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-2
- Agape Applied
- 1 Corinthians 8:1
- Revelation 2:1-5
Qualities of Agape Love
- Suffers long
- Psalm 103:8
- Kind
- Ephesians 4:32
- Envies not
- Acts 7:9
- Vaunts not self
- Luke 18:11-12
- Not puffed up
- Colossians 2:18
- 1 Corinthians 8:1
- Not unseemly
- 1 Peter 3:8
- Seeks not her own
- 1 Corinthians 10:24, 33
- Not easily provoked
- Acts 17:1
- Thinks no evil.
- Rejoices not in iniquity.
- Rejoices in the truth.
- 2 John 4
- 3 John 3-4
- Bears all things
- 1 Corinthians 9:12
- 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 5
- Believes all things
- Matthew 7:15-16
- Hopes all things
- Endures all things
- 2 Timothy 2:10
The Permanency of Agape Love
Spiritual gifts will cease.
1 Corinthians 13:8; 12:3-4
- Reveal & confirm the Word
- Mark 16:19-20
- Hebrews 2:3-4
- No longer needed.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- 2 Peter 1:3
- Jude 3
- Reveal & confirm the Word
Agape Love Abides
- Along with Faith & Hope
- 1 Corinthians 13:13a
- Agape love is GREATER!
- 1 Corinthians 13:13b
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Romans 8:24-25
- Along with Faith & Hope
Agape Love Is
Agape love is the more excellent way that he discussed back on 1 Corinthians 12:31. What he coveted for them, is the best gifts, "I'll show you a more perfect way." Love is the fulfillment of the law.
- Agape is the fulfillment of the Law.
- Romans 13:8
- It is the bond of perfection.
- Colossians 3:14
- As disciples of Christ, we are to walk in the Way of Agape.
- Ephesians 5:1-2
We're told to be followers of God as dear children. Christ showed us the way of love, that more excellent way. The entire Sermon on the Mount, could be titled A Better Way. We'll continue our discussion tonight about the Beautitudes.
We see the love of Christ, and God, manifested through Christ upon the cross for the our sins. We looked before that we love God because He first loved us. He sent his son to die on the cross. That's His love. Our response should also be one of love. Jesus said, "If you love me keep my commandments," John 14:15. In order to show our love to God we've got to keep His commandments. We've got to do the things He commands us to do; repent of our sins, confess our belief, be baptized for the reimission of sin. If you're one who has not done those things, we pray that you do so. If you are a Christian who has not been living faithfully we pray that you return to Christ.
If we can help you to come to know the love of God, through Christ Jesus, and help you to obey His commandments, we invite you to contact us.