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1 Corinthians 13.4-7 Defining Love Introduction: Love is an often talked about subject. Song are written about it, people search for it, we value it. It is also misunderstood. If I would ask everyone here to define love we would have some common ideas. We could go to a dictionary and find the definition. However, God has given us the most accurate definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. 4-7. I) Love A) It is a verb, showing action 1. We define love by what it does or what it does not do. 2. Leads to the saying, don’t tell me you love me, show me. B) Four Greek Words for Love 1. Eros – erotic or sexual love, found in Song of Solomon 2. Storge – a love of kindred, especially love between parents and children. Romans 12.10; Romans 1.31 3. Phileo – an emotional love, intense fondness for a. Feelings of natural affection, an attachment to b. Philosophy – love of wisdom c. Philadelphia – brotherly love 4. Agapao – a reasoning attachment, of choice, and selection a. To seed the absolute best for those you love, John 3.16 b. A sacrifical love that focuses on the other person and what you can do for them. II) Love in Action, 1 Corinthians 13A) Love suffers long – long tempered vs. short tempered 1. To have patience and not retaliate when we have reason a. Opposite is the idea expressed in the bumper sticker, "I don’t get mad, I get even." b. No wonder we have divorces, school shootings, racial slurs, gang violence, we live in a culture of getting even. 2. Example of Christ on the cross, Luke 23.34, Stephen, Acts 7.60. B) Love is kind – not harsh, irritable, Matthew 11.291. Endures the injuries of others, kindness says to pay them back with good deeds. 2. What can I do to be useful and helpful? Titus 3.4-5 C) Love does not envy – Joseph’s brothers envied him, King Saul envied David 1. Closely related to jealously—we want what others have 2. Envy wishes the other did not have it either, 1 Corinthians 3.3, 14-16 3. Does not berate or malign the success of others (good looks, money, etc.) D) Love is not boastful, is not puffed up, Phil. 2.3ff1. Boastful – windbag, to brag, boasting that wounds others, 1 Corinthians 4.6; 3.1-7 a. Example of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4.30 2. Puffed up – inflated concept of one’s own importance E) Love does not behave rudely 1. Disgracefully, dishonorably, indecently, discourteously, ill mannered 2. Love considers those around them (manner of dress, conversation, etc.) F) Love does not seek its own 1. One’s own pleasure at the expense of others, not selfish a. Those with spiritual gifts were guilty of this 2. Love is centered on what others need, 1 Corinthians 9.19-23 G) Love is not provoked 1. There are times when anger is proper, Acts 17.16 2. Here is means to fly off the handle, easily hurt, to stir in anger 3. Anger must be handled properly, Ephesians 4.26-27 H) Love thinks no evil 1. One does not dwell on evil, hurt feelings, does not keep an account or ledger 2. Does not get "historical" – we have all done things in the past we are not proud off, all of us have had to ask for forgiveness. Love lets it go. I) Rejoices not in iniquity but rejoices in truth 1. Does not find pleasure in sin a. The sexual exploits of others, compromise with sin, 2 John 9-11; 2 Thess. 3.5-6 2. Does not pass along gossip, stands beside the truth even when others ridicule it. J) Bears all things 1. Is able to bear whatever afflictions or persecution that comes along. K) Believes all things 1. Believes the best, is optimistic 2. Love is not stupid but it gives the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong L) Hopes all things 1. Hopes for the best 2. When we discipline we hope there will be repentance M) Endures all things 1. Does not quit, does not give in to despair 2. Love is in it for the long haul. III) Observations 1. Love will not allow us to do certain things and it requires us to do certain things. 2. Love is seen in action, is not passive 3. Without love we can not be a disciple of Christ, 2 Thess. 2.10 D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 07.29.07 |