Love Is A Verb

INTRODUCTION

• PC VIDEO

• SLIDE #1

• Love is a verb.

• What is a verb? Here is what the dictionary tells us concerning the word.

• Verb-a word used to show that an action is taking place or to indicate the existence of a state or condition

• Words, we say a lot of them, but do they mean anything? How many times have we seen or heard of people who say they love someone, only to constantly hurt them.

• I have known men who have literally beat and cheated on their wives, yet the whole time proclaiming their love for them.

• I have known parents who claim to love their children only to spend no time with them.

• We have all seen those who claim to love God, yet the way they deal with other people really betrays their words.

• What we say really has little to do with reality if we do not SHOW our love; words without actions are empty at best.

• Last week we examined how love should be at the root of all we do. This week we will further examine the subject of love. We need to understand that love is not words, nor is it a feeling. Those things can be a part of love, but they are not the root of love. Love has everything to do with action!

• Remember the context of the passage deals with Christians who claim to love God and to love one another, yet they are lacking many actions that would indicate they really love one another.

• The passage that we will examine today deals with our love toward other people, our everyday attitudes about people. They do apply in our relationship with God, but the context deals with how we interact with each other.

• Let’s begin this morning be looking at 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

• SLIDE #2

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7(ESV) 4Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

• Let us first begin by seeing the VERBS of love.

• SLIDE #3

SERMON

I. The verbs of love.

• The verbs of love are simply the actions and attitudes that should be present where love is present.

• In verses 4-7 we have 14 actions and attitudes of love.

• Before we get into a brief look at these issues, it is important for us to understand that Paul does not paint this picture of what love is to do on a pretty canvas.

• The picture of what we are called to do is painted on an ugly canvas of a lost world with a faulty church.

• The distressing times we face, the difficult people and situations we face can bring out the positive power and value of Christian love!

• I believe if we look at distressful times and people as opportunities to show people what real love is all about, we can change the world of those around us!

• So we need to realize that the Bible does not tell us to possess these things and do these actions only to those who love us back, to those who hug us. We are not only to exercise love toward those who love us!

• Patience and kindness are tied together.

• A patient person is one who is very slow to anger. When they are oppressed or provoked, they do not immediately go on the attack! It is a state of mind that will allow a person to bear up even when it is not easy.

• A kind person is one who is good natured and gentle.

• Imagine how much better a relationship is when we put these verbs into action!

• ENVY- This means to look at someone with an evil eye. To dislike someone because of their good fortunes. If we envy someone we will try to squelch the praise they deserve.

• BRAG- This is simple, love does not focus on ones’ own achievements, we focus on others.

• Matthew 6:1 is an example of this being violated.

• SLIDE #4

• Matthew 6:1(ESV) 1“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

• ARROGANT- Puffed up with pride. This is tied to boasting. The Corinthian church had big time problems with this issue. 1 Corinthians 4:6, 18-19, 5:2; 8:1

• RUDE- Discourteous, lack if tact, not causing others to blush with embarrassment.