Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

"What's So Great about Love?"

Intro.

1. Some qualities of love:

a. Love was the hinge on which the law and the prophets hung, Matt. 22:40.

b. Part of the fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5:22.

c. The “more excellent way” (hyperbole: “beyond measure,” from “excel, exceed”), 1 Cor. 12:31 (1 Cor. 13).

d. Love never fails, 1 Cor. 13:8.

e. Love’s enduring nature makes it “the greatest,” 1 Cor. 13:13.

2. So then: “What’s so great about love?”

I. LOVE THINKS WHAT MUST BE THOUGHT.

-While refusing to think (keep account of) evil, 1 Cor. 13:5.

A. We Are What We Think (Prov. 23:7).

B. Our Thinking Must Be Right Before We Can Ever Love, Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:1-3.

II. Love learns what must be learned.

A. Love is Humble, Willing, and Eager to Learn and Grow in Love for God and Others, Matt. 22:37-40.

B. Love Learns the Word of God, Jno. 14:23-24 (necessary inf.).

III. Love says what must be said.

A. Love Speaks the Truth of God, Eph. 4:15.

1. With longsuffering and kindness, not rudeness and ill-will, 1 Cor. 13:4-5.

2. With conviction and urgency, 2 Tim. 4:2.

3. Love rejoices in the truth, 1 Cor. 13:6.

B. One Who Speaks Truth to You is Not Your Enemy, Gal. 4:16; Prov. 27:6.

IV. Love does what must be done.

A. Love Acts Like God:

1. Toward our enemies, Matt. 5:43-48.

2. Toward our brethren, Jno. 13:34-35; 1 Jno. 3:16-18.

B. Love Obeys God to have Fellowship with God, Jno. 14:15; 1 Jno. 2:5 (1 Jno. 5:3; Phil. 2:8); 2 Jno. 6.

1. Love corrects children, Heb. 12:5-6.

2. Love accepts correction (from God, parents), Heb. 12:7 (9).

Conclusion

1. Love is the “greatest” because it abides, it endures, 1 Cor. 13:13.

a. Love fills every crevice of godly character, moves every action of obedient faith, and serves every soul in need.

b. By love, we know God, 1 Jno. 4:8.

2. Those who “love one another” are born of God and know God, 1 Jno. 4:7.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted February 8, 2020