“ The Virtues Of Love ” (1) I Corinthians 13:4a
Warren Wiersbe “Few chapters in the Bible have suffered more misinterpretation and misapplication than I Corinthians 13. Divorced from its context, it becomes a hymn to love or a sentimental sermon on Christian brotherhood. Many people fail to see that Paul was still dealing with the Corinthians’ problems when he wrote these words. ”
“And Now I Will Show You A Still More Excellent Way” (I Corinthians 12:31)
A Superior Way Over … Divisions Boasting Jealousy Immorality Law Suits Divorce Weaker Brothers Communion Doctrine Fellowship
The Circulatory System Of The Body of Christ Is Love. I. The Value Of Love (1-3) II. The Virtues Of Love (4-7) III. The Victory Of Love (8-13)
Henry Drummond “In the beginning of the short chapter of I Corinthians 13 we have loved contrasted; in the heart of it, we have love analyzed; toward the end, we have love defended as the supreme gift. ”
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing!
I. Love Is Patient “ Makrothumia ”: Long-Tempered Macro – Expanded, Long, Or Stretched Out Thumia – Anger, Wrath, or Temper
God Is Patient “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (II Peter 3:9).
Three General Examples Of “ Makrothumia ” 1. Parable Of The Debtor (Matthew 18:23-27) 2. Farmer Waiting For The Crop (James 5:7-9) 3. Exhorting One Another (I Thessalonians 5:14-15)
John Chrysostom “It is a word which is used of a man who is wronged and who has it easily in his power to avenge himself but will never do it. Patience never retaliates.”
Three Personal Examples Of “ Makrothumia ” 1. Joseph Toward His Brothers (Genesis 43-50) 2. Abraham Toward God’s Promise (Hebrews 6:14 -15) 3. Christ Toward His Enemies (I Peter 2:23)
II. Love Is Kind “ Chrestos ” – Useful & Serviceable Or Gracefully Benevolent Patience Will Take Anything While Kindness Will Give Anything
God Is Kind “So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). “If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (I Peter 2:3).
Exhortations To Kindness “Be kind one to another” (Ephesians 4:32). “Put on therefore…kindness” (Colossians 3:12).
Micah 6:8
III. Love Does Not Envy “ Zelos ” – To Heat Or Boil; To Exert Oneself To be competitively self-centered, to covetously compare with others, to earnestly pursue self-interests.
NT Uses Of “ Zelos ” 1. Brothers Toward Joseph (Acts 7:9) 2. Jews Towards Paul (Acts 13:45) 3. Bitter Christians (James 3:14)
Other Biblical Examples 1. Cain Towards Abel 2. Ahab Toward Naboth 3. Older Brother Toward Prodigal Brother
Alan Redpath “This picture of love is a photograph of the Lord Jesus Christ in His inner character. And in His church, His body, He wants to have many reprints. ”
Probing Questions 1. Am I a person who withholds the quick strike of retaliation?
Probing Questions 2. Am I a kind person with a disposition to do benevolent things for others?
Probing Questions 3. Am I a person void of the competitive spirit of coveting what others have?
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