1. The Church at Mesquite 1 Corinthians 13

2. The Church at Mesquite Back in 1984 Tina Turner asked this question: Whats love got to do with it? Whats love by a second hand emotion? Whats love but a sweet old fashioned notion?

3. The Church at Mesquite At face value it seemed that Ms. Turner was diminishing the actual value of love.

4. The Church at Mesquite At face value it seemed that Ms. Turner was diminishing the actual value of love. Maybe this song that brought Tina Turner so much notoriety and publicity was just lyrics that had no real meaning.

5. The Church at Mesquite Maybe this song was a snapshot of what was left of her emotional well being after a rocky marriage and a subsequent bitter divorce.

6. The Church at Mesquite Regardless which of these or possibly other reasons Tina Turner sang this song, I can not concur with her proclamation that love was ultimately a second had emotion or an old fashioned notion.

7. The Church at Mesquite As a follower of CHRIST and a servant of GOD I have no choice but to offer this rebuttal:

8. The Church at Mesquite As a follower of CHRIST and a servant of GOD I have no choice but to offer this rebuttal: LOVE IS MUCH DEEPER THAN THAT!

9. The Church at Mesquite If you are a Christian, Love has everything to do with it:

10. The Church at Mesquite If you are a Christian, Love has everything to do with it: You can love without being a Christian, but you can not be a Christian without loving.

11. The Church at Mesquite If you are a Christian, Love has everything to do with it: You can love without being a Christian, but you can not be a Christian without loving. Love is the foundation of everything we do.

12. The Church at Mesquite If you are a Christian, Love has everything to do with it: You can love without being a Christian, but you can not be a Christian without loving. Love is the foundation of everything we do. We serve GOD because we Love HIM.

13. The Church at Mesquite If you are a Christian, Love has everything to do with it: You can love without being a Christian, but you can not be a Christian without loving. Love is the foundation of everything we do. We serve GOD because we Love HIM. We serve our brethren because we Love them.

14. The Church at Mesquite If you are a Christian, Love has everything to do with it: You can love without being a Christian, but you can not be a Christian without loving. Love is the foundation of everything we do. We serve GOD because we Love HIM. We serve our brethren because we Love them. We serve our fellowman because we Love them.

15. The Church at Mesquite As we consider our individual Christianity and our congregation of Christians we do well to make sure that the effort we are giving in GODs name are sustained by Love.

16. The Church at Mesquite Love is: The foundation of every ministry we promote.

17. The Church at Mesquite Love is: The foundation of every ministry we promote. The idea behind every dollar that we give.

18. The Church at Mesquite Love is: The foundation of every ministry we promote. The idea behind every dollar that we give. The spirit behind every song that we sing.

19. The Church at Mesquite Love is: The foundation of every ministry we promote. The idea behind every dollar that we give. The spirit behind every song that we sing. The power behind every prayer that we pray.

20. The Church at Mesquite Love is: The foundation of every ministry we promote. The idea behind every dollar that we give. The spirit behind every song that we sing. The power behind every prayer that we pray. The essence of every meditation we experience.

21. The Church at Mesquite Love is: The foundation of every ministry we promote. The idea behind every dollar that we give. The spirit behind every song that we sing. The power behind every prayer that we pray. The essence of every meditation we experience. The gift of every Scripture we contemplate.

22. The Church at Mesquite Thus we have no choice but to conclude that as it relates to our Christianity:

23. The Church at Mesquite Thus we have no choice but to conclude that as it relates to our Christianity: LOVE HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

24. The Church at Mesquite The Scriptures reveal that GOD is the epitome of love (cf. John 3.16)

25. The Church at Mesquite The Scriptures reveal that GOD is the epitome of love (cf. John 3.16) If GOD is our FATHER we should have HIS spiritual DNA.

26. The Church at Mesquite The Scriptures reveal that GOD is the epitome of love (cf. John 3.16) If GOD is our FATHER we should have HIS spiritual DNA. IF GOD begat us by the power of HIS WORD and lives within us through HIS HOLY SPIRIT we have no choice but to resemble HIM.

27. The Church at Mesquite The Scriptures reveal that GOD is the epitome of love (cf. John 3.16) If GOD is our FATHER we should have HIS spiritual DNA. IF GOD begat us by the power of HIS WORD and lives within us through HIS HOLY SPIRIT we have no choice but to resemble HIM. If we fail to love the way GOD loves then we can not call HIM FATHER (cf. Rom 8.9).

28. The Church at Mesquite JESUS noted in John 8.44 in a conversation with the Pharisees, You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do.

29. The Church at Mesquite JESUS noted in John 8.44 in a conversation with the Pharisees, You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. JESUS point: If the Pharisees were truly seeking GOD they would not do the things that they did as their actions did not align themselves with GODs SPIRIT.

30. The Church at Mesquite What is Love?

31. The Church at Mesquite What is Love? The dictionary shows the word Love to be both a noun and a verb.

32. The Church at Mesquite What is Love? The dictionary shows the word Love to be both a noun and a verb. But the noun essence of the word merely describes the verb form of the word.

33. The Church at Mesquite What is Love? The dictionary shows the word Love to be both a noun and a verb. But the noun essence of the word merely describes the verb form of the word. Hence we discover that Love is not something merely spoken but rather also shown.

34. The Church at Mesquite The issue among CHRISTs church is that for years we have shown a lack of Love.

35. The Church at Mesquite The issue among CHRISTs church is that for years we have shown a lack of Love. Examples of lacking Love:

36. The Church at Mesquite The issue among CHRISTs church is that for years we have shown a lack of Love. Examples of lacking Love: Hypocrisy

37. The Church at Mesquite The issue among CHRISTs church is that for years we have shown a lack of Love. Examples of lacking Love: Hypocrisy Judgmental

38. The Church at Mesquite The issue among CHRISTs church is that for years we have shown a lack of Love. Examples of lacking Love: Hypocrisy Judgmental Subsequent lack of growth

39. The Church at Mesquite Apparently some forgot that we were saved by the mercy and grace of GOD and not by our own merit.

40. The Church at Mesquite Apparently some forgot that we were saved by the mercy and grace of GOD and not by our own merit. This is why GOD removed certain aspects from the law…

41. The Church at Mesquite Apparently some forgot that we were saved by the mercy and grace of GOD and not by our own merit. This is why GOD removed certain aspects from the law…for an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth would leave us all blind and in need of dentures.

42. The Church at Mesquite Apparently some forgot that we were saved by the mercy and grace of GOD and not by our own merit. This is why GOD removed certain aspects from the law…for an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth would leave us all blind and in need of dentures. At our very best, without CHRIST we are filthy rags in the sight of GOD (Isa 64.6).

43. The Church at Mesquite A lack of Christian Love has led to:

44. The Church at Mesquite A lack of Christian Love has led to: Us not being concerned about those addicted to drugs and alcohol.

45. The Church at Mesquite A lack of Christian Love has led to: Us not being concerned about those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Us not being concerned about those who lack education and political strength.

46. The Church at Mesquite A lack of Christian Love has led to: Us not being concerned about those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Us not being concerned about those who lack education and political strength. Us not being concerned about our youth cultivating their minds with video games while they have trouble reading.

47. The Church at Mesquite A lack of Christian Love has led to: Us not being concerned about those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Us not being concerned about those who lack education and political strength. Us not being concerned about our youth cultivating their minds with video games while they have trouble reading. Us not being concerned about parents refusing to raise their children in The LORD.

48. The Church at Mesquite Where is the Love? Mankind is crying for help. JESUS called us to be Salt & Light. But the very people that are suppose to bring GODs solution to mans problems have eyes dimmed by a lack of Love and a lack of concern.

49. The Church at Mesquite Where is the Love? We wonder why the world is getting worse. We wonder why no one is doing anything about our turbulent times. Apparently we forgot that when we were born into CHRISTs family, we became the ones that were supposed to be making a difference in HIS name.

50. The Church at Mesquite Possible reasons we do not Love: We forgot that we did what others are still doing (substances, crime, stolen fruit).

51. The Church at Mesquite Possible reasons we do not Love: We forgot that we did what others are still doing (substances, crime, stolen fruit). We forgot that it was GODs grace that snatched us out of the hand of the devil.

52. The Church at Mesquite The result: People do not even like to visit many churches as no one wants to be around perfect folk.

53. The Church at Mesquite The result: People do not even like to visit many churches as no one wants to be around perfect folk. Who wants to set next to someone who judges them and looks down at them as if they have never done anything wrong?

54. The Church at Mesquite The result: People do not even like to visit many churches as no one wants to be around perfect folk. Who wants to set next to someone who judges them and looks down at them as if they have never done anything wrong? Romans 3.23All have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD.

55. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not love, I am become as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

56. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not love, I am become as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Pauls preaching is only mere noise if Love is not coupled with it.

57. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and thought I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

58. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and thought I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Spiritual gifts are meaningless if Love does not accompany them.

59. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

60. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing. Sacrifice is worthless if Love is absent from the sacrifice.

61. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.4 Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up.

62. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.4 Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Love is patient, benevolent, not covetous or jealous, not boastful, not proud or haughty.

63. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.

64. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil. Love knows how to act, looks after others, is not easily stirred up, has no ill will.

65. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in truth.

66. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in truth. Love does not rejoice in wrong doing or when someone is done wrong; Love rejoices in truth or righteousness.

67. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

68. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love suffers with you regardless, trusts regardless, hopes regardless, is patient regardless.

69. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.8 Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

70. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.8 Pauls words in verse 8 are better understood when considering them with verses 9-12 which relate to certain gifts given by The HOLY SPIRIT early in the history of the church so people would know that the apostles were sent by JESUS. When these ended people would still know because how Christians loved (cf. John 13.35).

71. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.13 And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

72. The Church at Mesquite The Text: 1 Corinthians 13.13 And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Simply stated, love is the greatest Christian virtue for it is the foundation of all other Christian virtue empowered by our Love for GOD and our Love for one another. The first Fruit of The SPIRIT that Paul mentioned in Galatians 5.22 was Love.

73. The Church at Mesquite 1 Corinthians 13