Intentional Love

• Loving as God tells us is hard work.

– In 1 Corinthians 13 we have the most

definitive explanation of this agape love.

• We must become this love so we can

be complete in Christ. Rom. 13:8, 10

• This study will help us to understand

about love as we note what love is and

is not.

Love Does NOT… 1 Cor. 13:4

• Envy: to burn with envy, hatred, or anger

Gk. 2206

– Part of envy is wanting what others

have. Ex. 20:17; Col. 3:5; Prov. 3:31

– Since love cares for others more than

self what does envy do? Jas. 3:13-18

– Envy is the opposite of kindness, it

comes from a lack of trust and reliance

upon the Lord. Phil. 4:12-13

Love Does NOT…

• Boast: to boast one’s self. Gk. 4068

– Love does not show off, brag, and or

think little of those who aren’t as

blessed with things. Rom. 12:3

– Improper high focus on self is contrary

to our calling. 1 Peter 5:5-6

– Need to focus on God and humble

ourselves, not live in vainglory!

Acts 17:28; Prov. 13:10; 1 Jn. 2:16

Love Is NOT…

• Proud: to inflate, blow up, to cause to

swell up, …make proud, to bear one’s self

loftily, be proud. Gk. 5448

– Love is not arrogant or conceited.

– Pride creates; arguments, resentment

misunderstandings, contempt, loss of

community, and indifference. Phil. 2:3-4

– Don’t let hurts and ingratitude destroy

you Prov. 16:5,18, 27; instead Micah 6:8.

Love Is Not… 1 Cor. 13:5

• Rude: to act unbecomingly. Gk. 807

– Love treats others with respect and

dignity. Kindness is the opposite of rude.

– Rudeness leaves someone; confused,

hurt, discouraged, and or stirs up strife.

Psalm 143:3-4; Colossians 4:5-6

– We must not be thoughtless and selfish,

and show a lack of consideration.

Love Is NOT… 1 Cor. 13:5

• Self-seeking… Need to seek God’s

Word, not selfish things. Ps. 119:36

– Selfishness is opening the door to all

kinds of troubles. James 3:16

– Lacks sharing/sacrifices… Heb. 13:16

• Keeps you from giving as you ought.

Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 9:6-8

– It BREAKS God’s command! Phil. 2:3

Love Is NOT… 1 Cor. 13:5

• Easily Angered… Don’t be easily

provoked or oversensitive in your feelings.

– Prov. 16:32; 29:11, 22; James 1:19-20

• Keeping record of wrongs… 13:5d

– “It doesn't keep track of wrongs.” (GW)

– Need to seek positive things and strive

for forgiveness and reconciliation

Mt. 6:14-15; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; Phil. 4:8

Love Does Not…

• Delight in evil… 1 Cor. 13:6

– We should not be glad when bad things

happen to others. Ezek. 33:11

– Should be like Jesus in compassion

Mt. 9:36

• Help those who hurt you.

Proverbs 25:21-22; Rom. 12:17-21

– We must hate evil! Ps. 97:10; Prov.8:13

Love Is Powerful!

• God’s love led to Salvation now

available for all. John 3:16-17

• Come obey Him and be saved

from sin today… Romans 6:23

• Belief in the Gospel - Romans 1:16

• Repentance from sin - Acts 2:38

• Confession of Christ - Rom. 10:9-10

• Baptism - Mark 16:16