Love Series

What is LOVE?

1. LOVE is a Fruit that comes from abiding in the vine.

Abide in me, and I in you. A branch can’t bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine. Neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, and you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him produces much fruit: because without me, you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... Galatians 5:22

I began this study, saying all the fruits were equal. There’s no fruit above another fruit. But we will see, God does place one of the fruits above the others. Love IS above the others

2. LOVE is a commandment.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second (greatest commandment) is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 (We will circle back to this verse a few times.)

“I give a new commandment to you, ‘Love one another; in the way I have loved you...’

John 13:34

3. LOVE is a sign

By this, all will know that you are my disciples…” John 13:35

By this, they will know… The evidence we are getting Christianity right. THE revealer.

4. LOVE is the GREATEST VIRTUE

These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:14 NIV

5. LOVE is the only thing that counts, according to Paul.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6 NIV

Although I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13: 2-3 (Paul names the best of the best, but they are nothing without love)

6. LOVE fulfills the entire law

One of the Pharisees, who was a lawyer, asked Jesus a question, tempting him, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second (greatest commandment) is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:34-40

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:40

The whole law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: LOVE

Proverbs 10:12 …Love covers all sins

Who should we LOVE?

1. LOVE the Lord your God.

By-product of who you already are. Revealer of how we’re doing in our love of Jesus

One of the Pharisees, who was a lawyer, asked Jesus a question, tempting him, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.” Matthew 22:36-38

2. LOVE your neighbor.

The second (greatest commandment) is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

Who is my neighbor? Luke 10:29-37, the good Samaritan.

If accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? If looking only at your love for others?

Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 (substitute “love” for “works.” Show me your faith without your love, and I will show you my faith by my love.)

Matthew 5:23-24 NIV) “If you’re offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (To obey is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22) Obey the command to love before you offer your gifts.)

3. LOVE yourself.

Love others As Yourself

“Love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.” Matthew 22:39

Problem – We even struggle to love ourselves

Things you say about yourself

4. LOVE fellow believers — John 13:34-35 The pastor said, “We can lacerate people with our tongues, wound them,” and we can even kill them, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

5. LOVE your husband and children.

Teach young women to love their husbands and to love their children… Titus 2:4

Culture where the women didn’t get to choose their husband.