.jpg)
INTRO
Agape Love… love in action
Not feeling love, but doing love
What love does & What love does not do
Paul is painting a portrait of love, and Jesus Christ is sitting for the portrait. He lived out in perfection all of these virtues of love. This beautiful picture of love is a portrait of Him. (John MacArthur- 1 Corinthians Commentary)
Remember the context. Spiritual gifts within the life of the church
Our relationship with others is a direct reflection of our relationship with God.
Love is Patient
Long suffering as relating to people
Long suffering as opposed to hasty anger
Will continue to TAKE from others
Enduring through others not loving us
Willing to embrace others and their short comings
2 Peter 3:9 – God’s patience toward us.
Love is Kind
Kindness is the counterpart of patience
Willing to help and assist
Will continue to GIVE to others
1 Peter 2:2-3 – Tasted the kindness of the Lord
Love does not Envy
To want what others have (jealousy)
To wish others did not have
Rejoicing the gifts of others
Lack of contentment. Satisfied
Phil 4:11-13 – I am to be content
Love does not Boast
Opposite of jealousy… I want others to want what I have
Heap praise on self
Love is not Arrogant
Puffed up and parading around (prideful)
My gifts are more and do more.
Exaggerated self-conception
What do I have to be prideful about?
Sinner saved by grace
Love is not Rude
Acting rude to others
Unbecoming, indecent
BUILD UP OR TEAR DOWN!
Galatians 5:16–24 - [16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (ESV)