Ice Breaker: What has been more difficult for you, to give or receive Love?
Key verse: 1Corinthians 13:1-13.
INTRODUCTION
One of the best-known writings of the Bible is found in 1 Corinthians 13. It is recited very often, but very seldom is understood—is a reading of routine, but is forgotten easily. 1 Corinthians 13 describes love as a conduct, not only a pleasant feeling that is felt in the heart. People regularly associate love with the way they feel, or by the quantity of times they say "I love you." The interpretation of Paul reveals a type of love that is greater than emotional love.
WHAT LOVE IS:
1. Love Is Long Suffering- Is lasting and tolerant. Because of the fact that you love someone, at times have to tolerate difficult circumstances. This type of love has the ability to bear objections time and again.
2. Love is Kind - Kindness is more than pretty thoughts, af fection or good intentions. More so, kindness puts feet to your good will. Kindness is to do acts of compassion with a purpose.
WHAT THE LOVE IS NOT:
1. The Love does not keep a Grudge- People are imperfect and commit errors. Nevertheless, true love bears all and reminds us that one day, we also are going to need to be forgiven. Give of grace what of grace you have received.
2. The Love does not Enjoy the Injustice, but Enjoys the Truth - When the love of God is alive in your heart, the injustice and the wickedness do not overcome you.
3. Love does not have Envy – Envy only causes unhappiness. There is a very well-known phrase that says: "The grass is always greener on the other side". This means that it does not matter how blessed you may be—in your family, your marriage, your career, your possessions, your department—someone may always seem to be better off.
4. Love is not Boastful - Love has the formula to dissolve your ego. When the love of God soaks your heart, it humiliates you. Being humble is not to be weak or timid as people are used to thinking. In itself, humility has nothing to do with how much money you have.
5. The Love does not seek its own - When we fall in love, we forget us about ourselves. We try to give instead of receiving—to serve instead of to be served. In a culture governed by the love toward oneself and by egoism, true love causes us to go beyond and to sacrifice our personal desires.
6. Is not irritated - When the love of God is growing in your heart, your temperament is controlled and you no longer get angered so easily. We need to learn listen and not let our temperament steal the best of us.
CONCLUSION:
It is absurd to say that we love God being in a constant dispute with our neighbor. Jesus said: "In this way all they will know that are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). There is no doubt that we need to learn to get along well with others, especially with people who are of difficult character. As soon as someone says or does something that offends you, forget it, and let love win.
QUESTIONS
How much do you believe your love has suffered by others?
You believe that some time have been able to control your violence, grudge or anger by love to someone?
How do you believe you can love without being a hypocrite?
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