2. “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” 1 Cor. 12:31 “Believes all things”

3. Description of Love 4. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5. does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6. does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8. Love never fails.

4. Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness Dealing with our fellow man

5. Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity Deals with our relationship with God

6. Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity 10.Spiritual strength 11.Open-Mindedness 12.Optimism 13.Faithfulness 14.Loverly Self

7. Does not mean “believes all things” A person falls for everything he is told 1 Jn.4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit” 1 Thes.5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

8. It does Mean “believes all things” Ready to accept what the evidence supports Keep an open mind Ready to believe whatever ought to be believed Mind open to receive all truth

9. Matthew 13:15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'

10. Luke 15:1-2 1. Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." Jews Murmuring against our Lord Had closed minds - Jesus tried to teach them

11. Parable of 100 Sheep One was lost Jesus left 99 to find the one lost 10 pieces of Silver Woman lost one piece Found - rejoiced Father with 2 sons One son left - prodigal Father waited for his return Lk. 15:3-24

12. Nothing wrong with the lesson Preacher was excellent The problem was with the hearers  They did not have an open mind  They did not love the truth

13. Love gives truth a chance Love “believes all things” We have an open mind to learn what God wants us to do

14. Minds open to the whole truth Morality Plan of Salvation - Acts 2:38 Many object to the truth about BAPTISM “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

15. Minds open to the whole truth Morality Plan of Salvation - Acts 2:38 Plan of Worship Jn. 4:24 New Testament is our guide

16. Minds open to the whole truth Morality Plan of Salvation - Acts 2:38 Plan of Worship - Jn. 4:24 N.T. Church Acts 20:28 - purchased Eph.2:16 - reconciled Eph. 1:22-23 – body, church Eph. 4:4 – one body

17. “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” 1 Cor. 12:31 “Believes all things”

18.  About Morality  The plan of Salvation  Worship in the church  The New Testament Church

19. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

20. Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity 10.Spiritual strength 11.Open-Mindedness 12.Optimism 13.Faithfulness 14.Loverly

22. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening October 20, 2013