man often fails to see value in the things god has emphasized. n what has a greater value than...

Man often fails to see value in the things Man often fails to see value in the things God has emphasized.God has emphasized.


What has a greater value than knowledge What has a greater value than knowledge and faith? and faith? (1 Cor 13:1-4)(1 Cor 13:1-4)



(1 Corinthians 13:1-4 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 13:1-4 NKJV) - "Though I - "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, but have not love, I have become sounding I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbalbrass or a clanging cymbal.. {2} {2} And though I And though I have have the gift of the gift of prophecy, and understand all prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, mountains, but have not love, I am nothingI am nothing..



{3} {3} And though I bestow all my goods to And though I bestow all my goods to feed feed the poor, the poor, and though I give my body to and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, be burned, but have not love, it profits me it profits me nothingnothing..



This is not to exclude the other, because This is not to exclude the other, because love comes from knowledge love comes from knowledge (1 Jn 4:19)(1 Jn 4:19)



(1 John 4:19 NKJV)(1 John 4:19 NKJV) - "We love Him - "We love Him because He first loved us.”because He first loved us.”



Still there is a real problem with the Still there is a real problem with the Christian who stops at knowledge and does Christian who stops at knowledge and does not grow in love. not grow in love. (1 Cor 8:1-2)(1 Cor 8:1-2)



(1 Corinthians 8:1-2 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 8:1-2 NKJV) - "Now - "Now concerning things offered to idols: We concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs upKnowledge puffs up, but , but love edifieslove edifies.. {2} {2} And if anyone thinks that he knows And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.”to know.”



If God gives this emphasis now, what will If God gives this emphasis now, what will we give account for in the judgment?we give account for in the judgment?



There is great power in love.There is great power in love.



There is great power in love.There is great power in love. The gospel is powerful because it shows us The gospel is powerful because it shows us

God’s unmerited love. God’s unmerited love. (Rom 5:6-8)(Rom 5:6-8)



(Romans 5:6-8 NKJV)(Romans 5:6-8 NKJV) - "For when we - "For when we were still without strength, in due time were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.Christ died for the ungodly. {7} {7} For For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.even dare to die. {8} {8} But But God demonstrates God demonstrates His own loveHis own love toward us, toward us, in that while we in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for uswere still sinners, Christ died for us.”.”



Love gives worth to the one who believes Love gives worth to the one who believes he is unworthy. he is unworthy. (Jn 3:16)(Jn 3:16)



(John 3:16 NKJV)(John 3:16 NKJV) - "For - "For God so loved the God so loved the worldworld that He gave His only begotten Son, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”perish but have everlasting life.”



Love gives strength and optimism to the Love gives strength and optimism to the one in weakness and despair. one in weakness and despair.

Love is the Christian’s foundationLove is the Christian’s foundationLove is the Christian’s foundationLove is the Christian’s foundation

What is love?What is love?


What is love?What is love? It is the way God views men! He seeks out It is the way God views men! He seeks out

what is best for us! what is best for us! (1 Jn 4:19)(1 Jn 4:19)


What is love?What is love? It is the way God views men! He seeks out It is the way God views men! He seeks out

what is best for us! what is best for us! (1 Jn 4:19)(1 Jn 4:19) "Agape love is … profound concern for the "Agape love is … profound concern for the

well-being of another, without any desire to well-being of another, without any desire to control that other, to be thanked by that control that other, to be thanked by that other, or to enjoy the process.”other, or to enjoy the process.”


The only way we can learn this love is to The only way we can learn this love is to get out of ourselves. When we become get out of ourselves. When we become the focus then the love of God cannot be the focus then the love of God cannot be present. present. (Jn 5:40-44)(Jn 5:40-44)


(John 5:40-44 NKJV)(John 5:40-44 NKJV) - "But you are - "But you are not not willing to come to Me that you may have willing to come to Me that you may have lifelife.. {41} {41} ""I do not receive honor from menI do not receive honor from men.. {42} {42} "But I know you, "But I know you, that you do not have that you do not have the love of God in youthe love of God in you.. {43} {43} "I have come "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.name, him you will receive.


{44} {44} "How can you believe, who receive "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that honor that comes comes from the only God?”from the only God?”


This is a foundation which we must choose This is a foundation which we must choose to build. to build. (Eph 3:17)(Eph 3:17)


(Ephesians 3:17 NKJV(Ephesians 3:17 NKJV)) - "that Christ may - "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in lovebeing rooted and grounded in love,”,”


Which is worse: a problem with the Which is worse: a problem with the foundation of the roof?foundation of the roof?


Which is worse: a problem with the Which is worse: a problem with the foundation of the roof?foundation of the roof?

You make the choice of the kind of You make the choice of the kind of foundation your life will have. The sooner foundation your life will have. The sooner you begin building, the better life you begin building, the better life you will have.you will have.

How do I know that I have love?How do I know that I have love?How do I know that I have love?How do I know that I have love?

There are components or characteristics of There are components or characteristics of love. love. (1 Cor 13:4-7)(1 Cor 13:4-7)


(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV) - "Love - "Love suffers long suffers long and and is kind; love does not envy; is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; {5} {5} does not behave rudely, does not seek its does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; {6} {6} does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;the truth; {7} {7} bears all things, believes all bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.“things, hopes all things, endures all things.“


Love will not give upLove will not give up. . (Rom 2:4)(Rom 2:4)


(Romans 2:4 NKJV)(Romans 2:4 NKJV) - "Or do you despise - "Or do you despise the riches of the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and His goodness, forbearance, and longsufferinglongsuffering, not knowing that , not knowing that the the goodness of God leads you to repentancegoodness of God leads you to repentance?”?”


How do you view the weaknesses of other How do you view the weaknesses of other Christians?Christians?


““Love accepts people as they are; love can Love accepts people as they are; love can take insults without ill will.”take insults without ill will.”


Sadly some are like the scowling critic, Sadly some are like the scowling critic, showing there disapproval but offering no showing there disapproval but offering no help. Others accept the sin and do not care. help. Others accept the sin and do not care. In none of these attitude abides love.In none of these attitude abides love.


““Love can hope where reason would Love can hope where reason would despair.” despair.”


Remember, when you love another, you are Remember, when you love another, you are not in the center of things.not in the center of things.


Love will build trust. (Mk 10:21)Love will build trust. (Mk 10:21)


(Mark 10:21 NKJV)(Mark 10:21 NKJV) - "Then Jesus, - "Then Jesus, looking at him, looking at him, loved himloved him, and said to him, , and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."take up the cross, and follow Me."


In love we will see our own condition with In love we will see our own condition with honesty.honesty.


Why can we rejoice in the truth? Because Why can we rejoice in the truth? Because God’s love provides a way to be forgiven.God’s love provides a way to be forgiven.



I will trust one who loves me. They will tell I will trust one who loves me. They will tell me to my face what I need to hear rather me to my face what I need to hear rather than whisper it behind my back.than whisper it behind my back.



I will trust one who loves me. They will tell I will trust one who loves me. They will tell me to my face what I need to hear rather me to my face what I need to hear rather than whisper it behind my back.than whisper it behind my back.

In this gentleness we will find lives and In this gentleness we will find lives and hearts opened to us. Without it we will find hearts opened to us. Without it we will find ourselves bitter and isolated.ourselves bitter and isolated.


Love will bring peace within (Jude 2)Love will bring peace within (Jude 2)


(Jude 1:2 NKJV)(Jude 1:2 NKJV) - "Mercy, peace, and - "Mercy, peace, and love love be multiplied to yoube multiplied to you.“.“


Those who do not have this love are restless Those who do not have this love are restless souls. They are not happy.souls. They are not happy.


Those who do not have this love are restless Those who do not have this love are restless souls. They are not happy.souls. They are not happy.

The love of God allows me to fully involve The love of God allows me to fully involve myself in God’s work.myself in God’s work.


Love is the product of real maturity Love is the product of real maturity (Jn 13:34-35).(Jn 13:34-35).


(John 13:34-35 NKJV)(John 13:34-35 NKJV) - "A new - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as one another; as I have loved youI have loved you, that you , that you also love one another.also love one another. {35} {35} ""By this all will By this all will know that you are My disciplesknow that you are My disciples, if you have , if you have love for one anotherlove for one another."."


Maturity produces a stability and reliability Maturity produces a stability and reliability that allows one to be a pillar in the Lord’s that allows one to be a pillar in the Lord’s work.work.


““Forgetting oneself is not a refinement of Forgetting oneself is not a refinement of love. It is a first condition of love.love. It is a first condition of love.



This is why it “bears all things…endures all This is why it “bears all things…endures all things.”things.”



This is why it “bears all things…endures all This is why it “bears all things…endures all things.”things.”

Consider some “tests” as to my personal Consider some “tests” as to my personal possession of love.possession of love.


The dinning room table test. (The test of The dinning room table test. (The test of my words) (Mt 12:36-37)my words) (Mt 12:36-37)


(Matthew 12:36-37 NKJV)(Matthew 12:36-37 NKJV) - "But I say to - "But I say to you that you that for every idle word men may for every idle word men may speakspeak, they will give account of it in the day , they will give account of it in the day of judgment.of judgment. {37} {37} "For "For by your words you by your words you will be justifiedwill be justified, and , and by your words you by your words you will be condemnedwill be condemned."."


What words come from my mouth when I What words come from my mouth when I “let my hair down.”“let my hair down.”


Some are very unhappy and critically sharp Some are very unhappy and critically sharp with their tongues! Why do men do this? with their tongues! Why do men do this? They do not have the love of God which is They do not have the love of God which is not “provoked” (is not irritable or resentful not “provoked” (is not irritable or resentful RSV, “as keeping a mental record take into RSV, “as keeping a mental record take into account, keep in mind, count (up)”) account, keep in mind, count (up)”)


““Love looks through a telescope; envy, Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope.” through a microscope.”


How many save up accounts for years to be How many save up accounts for years to be used later as a weapon?used later as a weapon?


The test of standing alone.The test of standing alone.


The test of standing alone.The test of standing alone. Love will speak the truth even if it means Love will speak the truth even if it means

one must stand alone.one must stand alone.


The test of standing alone.The test of standing alone. Love will speak the truth even if it means Love will speak the truth even if it means

one must stand alone.one must stand alone. When we become weary of this we become When we become weary of this we become

weary of love. weary of love. (Gal 6:9)(Gal 6:9)


(Galatians 6:9 NKJV)(Galatians 6:9 NKJV) - "And - "And let us not let us not grow weary while doing goodgrow weary while doing good, for in due , for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”heart.”


The test of forgiveness The test of forgiveness (Lk 7:40-43, Mt 6:14-15)(Lk 7:40-43, Mt 6:14-15)


(Luke 7:40-43 NKJV)(Luke 7:40-43 NKJV) "And Jesus "And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it.""Teacher, say it." {41} {41} "There was a certain "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.


{42} {42} "And when "And when they had nothing with they had nothing with which to repaywhich to repay, he freely forgave them , he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will which of them will love him morelove him more?"?" {43} {43} Simon answered and Simon answered and said, "I suppose said, "I suppose the the one one whom he forgave whom he forgave moremore." And He said to him, "You have ." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."rightly judged."


(Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)(Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV) - "For if you - "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.Father will also forgive you. {15} {15} "But if "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”trespasses.”


We must always lay aside personal We must always lay aside personal vengeance. vengeance. (Rom 12:17-21)(Rom 12:17-21)


(Romans 12:17-21 NKJV)(Romans 12:17-21 NKJV) - "Repay no - "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.things in the sight of all men. {18} {18} If it is If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.peaceably with all men. {19} {19} Beloved, do Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but not avenge yourselves, but rather rather give place give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.


{20} {20} Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."on his head." {21} {21} Do not be overcome by Do not be overcome by evil, but evil, but overcome evil with goodovercome evil with good.”.”


We are sorely lacking in love when we shun We are sorely lacking in love when we shun others, when we pull back from the work of others, when we pull back from the work of the Lord because of others and when we the Lord because of others and when we find comfort in running from the presence find comfort in running from the presence of others.of others.


““He that falls in love with himself will have He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.”no rivals.”

How to repent and renew your loveHow to repent and renew your loveHow to repent and renew your loveHow to repent and renew your love

I must be willing to see my condition.I must be willing to see my condition. (Rev 2:4-5)(Rev 2:4-5)


(Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV)(Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV) - “Nevertheless - “Nevertheless I have I have this this against you, that against you, that you have left you have left your first loveyour first love.. {5} {5} "Remember therefore "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.”its place; unless you repent.”


It is not just the world who runs from the It is not just the world who runs from the light. light. (Jn 3:19-21; 2 Cor 6:11-13,7:2)(Jn 3:19-21; 2 Cor 6:11-13,7:2)


(John 3:19-21 NKJV)(John 3:19-21 NKJV) - "And this is the - "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and world, and men loved darknessmen loved darkness rather than rather than lightlight, because their deeds were evil., because their deeds were evil. {20} {20} "For "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.should be exposed. {21} {21} "But he who does the "But he who does the truth truth comes to the lightcomes to the light, that , that his deeds may be his deeds may be clearly seenclearly seen, that they have been done in God.", that they have been done in God."


(2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 6:11-13 NKJV) - "O - "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, you, our heart is wide openour heart is wide open.. {12} {12} You are You are not restricted by us, but not restricted by us, but you are restricted you are restricted by your by your own own affectionsaffections.. {13} {13} Now in return Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), for the same (I speak as to children), you you also be openalso be open.”.”


(2 Corinthians 7:2 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 7:2 NKJV) - " - "Open Open your your hearts hearts to usto us. We have wronged no one, we . We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.”one.”


Why not ask those who really know you? Why not ask those who really know you? Those who really love you?Those who really love you?


I must be willing to receive love. I must be willing to receive love. (2 Cor 2:6-8)(2 Cor 2:6-8)


(2 Corinthians 2:6-8 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 2:6-8 NKJV) - "This - "This punishment which punishment which was inflicted was inflicted by the by the majority majority is is sufficient for such a man,sufficient for such a man, {7} {7} so so that, on the contrary, you that, on the contrary, you ought ought rather to rather to forgive and comfort forgive and comfort him, him, lest perhaps such lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.sorrow. {8} {8} Therefore I urge you to Therefore I urge you to reaffirm reaffirm your your love to himlove to him.“.“


Some build a wall around themselves so the Some build a wall around themselves so the love of God cannot reach them.love of God cannot reach them.


We need to be around others who will point We need to be around others who will point us to God and share His love with us. us to God and share His love with us. (Heb (Heb 10:24)10:24) Some do not want this. They would Some do not want this. They would rather be hurt! rather be hurt!


(Hebrews 10:24 NKJV)(Hebrews 10:24 NKJV) - "And let us - "And let us consider one another in order consider one another in order to stir up loveto stir up love and good works,“and good works,“


It is not uncommon to see people who are It is not uncommon to see people who are deeply hurt to in time to only associate with deeply hurt to in time to only associate with others who are hurt only to reinforce the others who are hurt only to reinforce the bitterness and despair rather than to heal bitterness and despair rather than to heal and move on. Some have described this as and move on. Some have described this as “the fellowship of the miserable.” This will “the fellowship of the miserable.” This will tear you down and make you a coward. tear you down and make you a coward.


Through God’s love I can let go of the past. Through God’s love I can let go of the past. (Phil 3:13-15)(Phil 3:13-15)


(Philippians 3:13-15 NKJV)(Philippians 3:13-15 NKJV) - "Brethren, I - "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing but one thing I do, I do, forgetting those things forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,those things which are ahead, {14} {14} I press I press toward the goaltoward the goal for the prize of for the prize of the upward the upward call of God in Christ Jesuscall of God in Christ Jesus..


{15} {15} Therefore let us, as many as are Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.”this to you.”


I must learn to look to God and renew I must learn to look to God and renew my lovemy love..


I must learn to look to God and renew I must learn to look to God and renew my lovemy love..

If I do not choose to, my love can grow If I do not choose to, my love can grow cold. cold. (Mt 24:12)(Mt 24:12)


(Matthew 24:12 NKJV)(Matthew 24:12 NKJV) - “And because - “And because lawlessness will abound, lawlessness will abound, the love of many the love of many will grow coldwill grow cold.”.”


““Love must be learned again and again; Love must be learned again and again; there is no end to it. Hate needs no there is no end to it. Hate needs no instruction, but waits only to be provoked.”instruction, but waits only to be provoked.”


In my daily worship I can see God and not In my daily worship I can see God and not be overcome by the despair over the actions be overcome by the despair over the actions of men. of men. (Psa 73:12-17)(Psa 73:12-17)


(Psalms 73:12-17 NKJV(Psalms 73:12-17 NKJV) "Behold, these ) "Behold, these are are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase They increase in in riches.riches. {13} {13} Surely I have Surely I have cleansed my heart cleansed my heart in in vain, And washed my vain, And washed my hands in innocence.hands in innocence. {14} {14} For all day long I For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every have been plagued, And chastened every morning.morning.


{15} {15} If I had said, "I will speak thus," If I had said, "I will speak thus," Behold, I would have been untrue to the Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.generation of Your children. {16} {16} When I When I thought thought how how to understand this, It to understand this, It was was too too painful for me;painful for me; {17} {17} Until I went into the Until I went into the sanctuary of Godsanctuary of God; ; Then Then I understood their I understood their endend.”.”


The way of God may look hard but is The way of God may look hard but is always the best way. always the best way. (Deut 6:24)(Deut 6:24)


(Deuteronomy 6:24 NKJV(Deuteronomy 6:24 NKJV) - "'And the ) - "'And the LORD commanded us LORD commanded us to observe all these to observe all these statutesstatutes, to fear the LORD our God, , to fear the LORD our God, for our for our good alwaysgood always, that He might preserve us , that He might preserve us alive, as alive, as it is it is this day.”this day.”


There is only one kind of faith that will There is only one kind of faith that will avail. avail. (Gal 5:6)(Gal 5:6)


(Galatians 5:6 NKJV)(Galatians 5:6 NKJV) - "For in Christ - "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but uncircumcision avails anything, but faith faith working through loveworking through love.“”.“”


““Duty does not have to be dull. Love can Duty does not have to be dull. Love can make it beautiful and fill it with life.”make it beautiful and fill it with life.”


Will you open your heart to the love of Will you open your heart to the love of God?God?


““Love is higher than the other gifts in value; Love is higher than the other gifts in value; love is the one gift open to every member of love is the one gift open to every member of the church. It is not dependent on ability, the church. It is not dependent on ability, popularity, or shrewdness. The greatest path popularity, or shrewdness. The greatest path is open to the least of travelers.” is open to the least of travelers.”

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