Love Is Patient
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Introduction
1.
John 13:34-35
2.
Love is essential to the
relationships we have with other people
3.
The situation in
Discussion
1.
Love is patient – this is the
characteristic that is expressed in all the following ways
2.
Love is kind – in word and in
deed
3.
Love is not jealous
a.
Jealousy comes from a sense of
“ownership”
b.
While there may be a yearning, it
does not lead to the extreme measures that jealousy contemplates
4.
Love does not brag and is not
arrogant
a.
While there may be superior conduct
or performance, love has no need to speak of such things
b.
This is often expressed in the form
of true humility
5.
Love does not act unbecomingly
a.
Courteous, not rude
b.
Acting with consideration and
concern for the feelings of others
6.
Love does not seek its own
a.
“Right of way is not something
for which to contend, but something that may be yielded”
b.
Love is concerned for the
well-being of others
7.
Love is not provoked
a.
Not unnecessarily exasperated
b.
While sometimes indignant, it does
not rise to the level of provocation
8.
Love does not take into account a
wrong suffered
a.
Hence, forgiveness where there is
repentance
b.
There is no record keeping of
wrongs where there is love
9.
Love does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth
a.
The failure of others is cause for
mourning, not rejoicing
b.
Personal wrongs can be admitted in
a relentless search for truth
10.
Love bears all, believes all, hopes
all, endures all
a.
“I don’t have to put up with
this” – No, but love does
b.
“But if I do this others will
take advantage of me” – only if you resent bearing, believing, hoping and
enduring
11.
Love never fails – never, not
most of the time
Conclusion
1.
While it may be easy to “fall in
love” it is not always so easy to act in a Biblically loving way
2.
The first commandment is still
“love God”
3.
God love you and sent Jesus to die
for you