Sermon Notes: Love is Believing
Pastor George Furman
“Love believes all things.”
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. 7 love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [1 Corinthians 13:4-7]
There are four Greek words translated to “love.”
They are:
- Eros [sensual or romantic love]
- Philia [brotherly love]
- Storge [family love]
- Agape [unconditional and sacrificial love]
Agape love is a choice and commitment to love unconditionally and sacrificially without discrimination.
“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that?” [Luke 6:32a]
“The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult…” [Matthew 7:14]
[Agape] Love believes all things. [1 Corinthians 13:7]
“You are my friends if you do what I command.” [John 15:14]
Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! [Proverbs 14:15]
The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. [Psalm 19:8b]
Ways to Approach a Challenging Passage of Scripture:
- Ask God to grant understanding.
- Read the passage in various English translations.
- Allow scripture to interpret scripture.
- Read commentaries.
- Look-up the meaning of key [Greek or Hebrew] words used in the passage.
“Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.” [Mark 4:24]
[Love] believes all things, [looking for the best in each one]. [1 Corinthians 13:7]
“[Agape love] is always ready to think the best; to put the most favorable impression on anything; is glad to make all the allowance for human weakness which can be done without compromising God’s truth.” [Dr. Coke]
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through [agape] love. [Galatians 5:6b]
Make allowance for each other’s faults. [Colossians 3:13]
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” [Matthew 7:2]
It is better to trust in the Lord than to depend on human leaders. [Psalm 118:9]
Ways to Learn to Practice Agape Love
- Ask God to help you “agape” love others. [Psalm 30:10; Romans 15:5]
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. [Psalm 124:8]
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. [1 John 4:7a]
May [God] equip you with all you need for doing his will. [Hebrews 13:21a]
- Strive to become more like Jesus. [Romans 8:29]
Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. [1 John 1:26]
“The student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.” [Luke 6:40b]
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. [Ephesians 5:1-2]
- Live your life to please God – not yourself. [2 Corinthians 5:9]
[Jesus] died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. [2 Corinthians 5:15]
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. [Philippians 2:13]
- Focus on the realities heaven. [1 Peter 1:3-5]
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. [Colossians 3:2-3 NLT]
[Love] believes all things, [looking for the best in each one]. [1 Corinthians 13:7]