Message: “Revisiting the importance of Love” from Joe Summers

Revisiting the need for Love Lesson Objective: To revisit the necessity to have love throughout our life. Scripture; 1 Corinthian 13: If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. INTRODUCTION There are several usages for the word love: 1. Eros love—romantic love- sexual (Greeks felt that this was dangerous love) 2. Ludus-Ludus is a light and flirtatious expression of love 3. Pragma- This love embodies commitment, structure, and a common vision for the future 4. Philia/Storage- Brotherly love. It was about showing loyalty, giving sacrifice, showing appreciation and love of family 5. Agape- Godly love—love of strangers. Expecting nothing in return- Godly love Examples in the Bible Eros love- 2 Samuel 13: 1-2 Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her. 2 Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became ill. She was a virgin, and Amnon thought he could never have her. 12-15: “No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel. 13 Where could I go in my shame? And you would be called one of the greatest fools in Israel. Please, just speak to the king about it, and he will let you marry me.” 14 But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her. 15 Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her. “Get out of here!” he snarled at her. 1. What does this say about how we should be careful when we act based on Eros love? 2. Do you think the Greeks were right about how they viewed this type of love? 3. How does this affect how we must view social ads, etc. ? Philia Love- 1 Samuel 18: 1-54As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan dloved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day eand would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because dhe loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt 1. How did David demonstrate his love for Johnathan? 2. How do we in the Church demonstrate this type of love? Storge Love- Genesis 14: 14-16 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is [d]north of Damascus. 16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people. 1. What can prevent family members from having this type of love? 2. What other experience concerning Abram and Lot demonstrated this love? Agape Love Good Samaritan- Luke 10: 33-35 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 1. How difficult is it to show agape love? Varied scriptures in the Bible on Love ROMANS 8:28 (4) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. GALATIANS 5:22 (24) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness ROMANS 8:39 (98) … nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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