2. Building Christian Character
Love

3. Building Christian Character
Love
Love: (Greek) Agape- affection or benevolence. A true, deep, and abiding love. The desire for the well- being of others above self.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

4. Building Christian Character
Love
Love: (Greek) Agape; affection or benevolence. A true, deep, and abiding love. The desire for the well- being of others above self.
1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

5. Importance of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Importance of Christian Love
Look at 1 Corinthians 13
Matthew 6:1-2 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. NKJV

6. Importance of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Importance of Christian Love
Look at 1 Corinthians 13
Look at the promises shown based on love.
God dwells in us.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

7. Importance of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Importance of Christian Love
Look at 1 Corinthians 13
Look at the promises shown based on love.
God dwells in us.
We will be heirs of the kingdom.
James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

8. Importance of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Importance of Christian Love
Look at 1 Corinthians 13
Look at the promises shown based on love.
God dwells in us.
We will be heirs of the kingdom.
We will receive a crown of life.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

9. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
It is patient- “suffers long.”
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; NKJV

10. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is patient- “suffers long.”
1 Peter 2:19-21 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: NKJV

11. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is patient- “suffers long.”
Love is kind.
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
1 Corinthians 8:12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

12. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is patient- “suffers long.”
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
The Greek word here is “Zelos” which means jealousy.

13. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is patient- “suffers long.”
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
Love is not made unhappy by the good fortunes of others.
Love rejoices at the happiness of others.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

14. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is patient- “suffers long.”
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
Love is humble.
Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. NKJV

15. Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. NKJV
1 Timothy 3:6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. NKJV
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, NKJV

16. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. NKJV
As the years pass – Paul goes lower, he goes downward. As his self-concept lowers, his praise and adoration for God who saved him, rises!
“I am the least of the apostles” (1 Cor. 15:9 - AD 59)
“I am the very least of all the saints” (Eph. 3:8 - AD 63)
“I am the foremost of sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15) - AD 64)

17. Matthew 18:1-4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. NKJV

18. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is patient- “suffers long.”
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
Love is humble.
Love is courteous- “Does not behave rudely.”
1 Corinthians 13:5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

19. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is unselfish- “Does not seek its own.”
1 Corinthians 13:5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
1 Corinthians 10:33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

20. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is unselfish- “Does not seek its own.”
Love is good tempered- “Is not provoked.”
Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; NKJV

21. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is unselfish- “Does not seek its own.”
Love is good tempered- “Is not provoked.”
Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

22. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is unselfish- “Does not seek its own.”
Love is good tempered- “Is not provoked.”
Love is just- “Thinks no evil.”
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
Proverbs 17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

23. Characteristics of Christian Love
Building Christian Character
Love
Characteristics of Christian Love
Love is unselfish- “Does not seek its own.”
Love is good tempered- “Is not provoked.”
Love is just- “Thinks no evil.”
Love is righteous- “Rejoices in the truth.”
1 Corinthians 13:6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

24. Romans 1:32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. NKJV
2 John 4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

25. Building Christian Character
Brotherly Kindness
1 Corinthians 13:7-8 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. NKJV
Summary
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. NKJV