THE MOST IMPORTANT OF HUMAN QUALITIES # 2
1 Corinthians 13
Intro:A. This morning we began a message about the need for Agape love in the church and in
Christian lives
1. We pointed out that we are to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul & strength
2. We also pointed out that if we say that we love God but we don’t love our brothers & sisters that we are liars
3. And finally we pointed out that the bible says that if we don’t have this love for God & our brothers and sisters that we aren’t really Christians at all
B. Under those conditions it is imperative that each of us examine our own hearts to see if that love is in us
C. This morning we looked at some of the things that indicate that love
1. Long-suffering --- Enduring the mistakes and the wrongs of others because the love in us is stronger than the anger or the hurt
2. Kindness --- Treating others with kindness and encouragement and speaking in healing words and tones instead of cutting them down and using harsh words
3. Not Jealous or Envious --- There is no us & them --- We are all on the same team working together to accomplish God’s work
4. Not Proud or Arrogant --- Realizing that Jesus Christ is the only head of the Church and that we are all an important part of the body
D. Tonight we want to continue to look at the characteristics of that love
I. Love Doth not behave itself unseemly --- Improper or out of context
A. In other words --- If we have that love it is going to show
1. If we have love our brothers and sisters our actions toward them are going to reflect that love
2. Just as our actions show if we love God
John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
(a) Our actions also show whether or not we love one another
(b) We can say that we love one another but the proof is in our actions toward one another
II. Love seeketh not her own
A. Real love doesn’t do things for others expecting something in return
1. If we love others as we should our motivation for doing things for them is simply because we love them
B. This applies to love for God and love for others
1. We don’t want or expect them to repay our kindness
2. We don’t want or expect to be recognized for our good deeds or our work
(a) We don’t act out of a desire to have others applaud our kindness or generosity and we don’t get upset if that recognition doesn’t come
3. We don’t do for others or for the Lord because of obligation or a sense of duty
4. We do things for the Lord and for other people simply because we love them
III. Love is not easily provoked
A. It’s a good thing that this verse doesn’t read " Is never provoked "
1. We all get angry sometimes --- Even with and sometimes especially with those that we love
B. The big difference is that when we truly love someone we get angry and we get over it
1. When the love isn’t there we get angry and we hold a grudge and hold on to that anger
2. Then we start looking for things that kindle that anger again
(a) And when we look for things there are plenty of things to find
(b) We are easily provoked with those we do not have the love for that we should have
(c) But we are long-suffering and forgiving to those that we love
C. And many times there are plenty of folks who keep the anger stirred up
Proverbs 26:20
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
IV. Love thinketh no evil
A. Many times we are guilty of thinking the worst about people
1. We see or hear something and we automatically assume the worst
2. Without knowing all of the facts we make judgments
3. Suppose that you saw me coming out of a liquor store next week
B. But if we have the love that we should have we believe and hope for the best and reserve judgment until we know the facts
1. You might want to ask me why I was in that liquor store
V. Love Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth
A. Not only do we think the worst when it comes to people we actually look forward to seeing the fall
B. The proof of the truth of this statement is why gossip is so prevalent among people
1. People love to tell and to hear about the failures and faults of others
(a) Could the reason be that those who do so much gossiping are trying to ease their own conscience for their failures by pointing out the failure of others
(b) Or is it just that they love to see others suffer and they want to help that to happen
(c) Or maybe they just like the attention that they get when they spread the dirt around
C. Whatever the motivation --- many people just love to see others doing wrong or falling down
D. If we have love for others as we should we will instead hate to see others fall and will do everything we can to help them to get back up
VI. Love Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things
A. Paul summarizes what this agape type of love that we as Christians are to have really is
1. Real Christian love Beareth all things
(a) It is long-suffering and allows us to look over the faults of others because that love is stronger that the temporary anger or hurt
(b) It allows us to forgive those who do us wrong --- Not because we expect them to never do it again but simply because we love them --- Just like Jesus does for us
2. Real Christian love Believeth all things
(a) We believe the best and we look for the best in people
(b) And even when we see the worst we believe that they will change
Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
3. Real Christian love Hopeth all things
(a) We wish for those that we love the best
(b) And we do everything within our power to see that they receive the best
4. Real Christian love Endureth all things
(a) To continue without yielding in spite of hardships or troubles
(b) When we have "AGAPE " type of love it will last
The Most Important Thing That We Can Do Is Love One Another
