Agape: The Value of Love
Rex Yancey
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
As we approach Valentine's Day, I want to preach five messages on one of the most wonderful and at the same time disturbing chapters in the Bible.
We need to read this chapter on our knees. We need to pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit. We need to commit to living this chapter by the grace of God.
G. Campbell Morgan said, ''In this chapter we enter the purest atmosphere and breathe the most fragrant odors.'' A German Theologian said, ''The greatest, the strongest, the deepest thing Paul ever wrote.''
This is not eros-sexual love. This is not philia-brotherly love, it is agape-God's kind of love.
Jesus called this love his new commandment. Paul called it a fulfillment of the law. John defined God with this word. The Ephesian Church was rebuked for losing this kind of love. Paul said this love was the only thing greater than faith and hope. This love is the greatest jewel in the Christian's crown. This love provides integrity and credibility to the various expressions of our faith.
What is the value of love?
1. LOVE SANCTIFIES OUR SPEECH.
Paul speaks about tongues in chapter 12-14 of this book. It indicates that without love tongues are totally meaningless. Tongues are about speech and communication.
Speech is a major activity in the human life. It has been reported that women talk twice as much as men. I expect the reason for that is that women have to repeat everything twice. Huh!
Speech can be good or evil. The tongue is difficult to control. Spoken words have sent nations to war, destroyed careers, and ruined relationships. However, good words can turn despair into hope, frowns into smiles, and doubt into assurance. God made no other creature with the ability to do so much just by making sounds.
What makes speech holy?
-The Gnostics said one had to know sacred knowledge.
-The Corinthians said one had to speak in tongues.
-Paul said it wasn't eloquence, ...
Rex Yancey
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
As we approach Valentine's Day, I want to preach five messages on one of the most wonderful and at the same time disturbing chapters in the Bible.
We need to read this chapter on our knees. We need to pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit. We need to commit to living this chapter by the grace of God.
G. Campbell Morgan said, ''In this chapter we enter the purest atmosphere and breathe the most fragrant odors.'' A German Theologian said, ''The greatest, the strongest, the deepest thing Paul ever wrote.''
This is not eros-sexual love. This is not philia-brotherly love, it is agape-God's kind of love.
Jesus called this love his new commandment. Paul called it a fulfillment of the law. John defined God with this word. The Ephesian Church was rebuked for losing this kind of love. Paul said this love was the only thing greater than faith and hope. This love is the greatest jewel in the Christian's crown. This love provides integrity and credibility to the various expressions of our faith.
What is the value of love?
1. LOVE SANCTIFIES OUR SPEECH.
Paul speaks about tongues in chapter 12-14 of this book. It indicates that without love tongues are totally meaningless. Tongues are about speech and communication.
Speech is a major activity in the human life. It has been reported that women talk twice as much as men. I expect the reason for that is that women have to repeat everything twice. Huh!
Speech can be good or evil. The tongue is difficult to control. Spoken words have sent nations to war, destroyed careers, and ruined relationships. However, good words can turn despair into hope, frowns into smiles, and doubt into assurance. God made no other creature with the ability to do so much just by making sounds.
What makes speech holy?
-The Gnostics said one had to know sacred knowledge.
-The Corinthians said one had to speak in tongues.
-Paul said it wasn't eloquence, ...
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