Thesis: The challenge to speak about love (agape) in our times is that “love” has been stripped from its Biblical meaning.
> To have sex is to “make love” > Burger King invites us to “love it”.
>Remember the primary purpose of this section is hortatory
>Paul is not musing on the beauties of love, but rebuking the Corinthians covetousness in pursuing the greatest gifts. Ex: remember Simon the magician (Acts 8)
What love are we talking about?
1. Love is patient:
> Ex: God is “slow to anger”. Thomas Watson uses the illustration of a bee.
> Application: this kind of love is necessary to deal with irritating people, comp. Col 3:13-14.
2. Love is kind:
> The word bears the meaning of being “gentle” and “disposed towards doing good”.
> The fruit of the Spirit is kindness.
> Exercising spiritual gifts under the control of the Spirit in a benign and gentle manner. Illust.: the furious riding of Jehu
> Angry Christianity” is oxymoronic.
> I am not referring to the righteous anger of sensible people.
> Application: You may serve copiously, teach with the voice an angel, and preside with the wisdom of Solomon, in a sour, hard and unloving spirit.
> This kind love reminds us of Jesus’ patience with sinners. “The bruise reed He will not break and the smoking flax, He will not quench.”
3. Love is not jealous:
> What is the jealousy described here?
> The passion that makes us ardently seek the best portion for us.
> Application: John the Baptist, when his disciples felt jealousy because Jesus was starting to gather a larger crowd.
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