1. Welcome to the Encinitas Church of Christ

2. “Love”

3. “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love” Peter 1:5-7 NIV

4. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3: NIV

5. “And now I will show you the most excellent way
“And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I am nothing.” Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV

6. The Unique Nature of this Love
Agape love is different from all other types of love
The English word “love” is used to describe many types of love
The Greek language has 4 different words for “love”, each describing a specific type of love (phileo, eros, storge, agape)

7. The Unique Nature of this Love
Two distinctive aspects of Agape love
It’s unconditional
It always seeks the highest good of others

8. The Qualities of this Love
Described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind - vs. 4a
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud - vs. 4b
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs – vs. 5
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth – vs. 6
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres - vs. 7
Love never fails! – vs. 8a

9. The Qualities of this Love
Exemplified in the life of Jesus
Demonstrated in His treatment of others – Acts 10:38
Perfectly expressed in His sacrifice on the cross – John 15:13; Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 3:16

10. The Duty to Practice this Love
The Greatest Commandment in all the Bible
Love the Lord your God – Matthew 22:36-38
With all your heart, soul, mind, strength – Matthew 22:37

11. The Duty to Practice this Love
The Second Greatest Commandment
Love your neighbor as yourself – Matthew 22:39
All the law and the prophets hang on these two! – Matthew 22:40

12. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13: NIV