Wednesday Service | What Is Love? | Part 1: The Call

[1] Love is our

1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT)

Let love be your highest goal!

1 Corinthians 14:1 (LB)

Let love be your greatest aim;

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIRV)

Suppose I speak in the languages of human beings or of angels. If I don’t have love, I am only a loud gong or a noisy cymbal. ² Suppose I have the gift of prophecy. Suppose I can understand all the secret things of God and know everything about him. And suppose I have enough faith to move mountains. If I don’t have love, I am nothing at all. ³ Suppose I give everything I have to poor people. And suppose I give myself over to a difficult life so I can brag. If I don’t have love, I get nothing at all.

[2] Love is our

1 John 4:8 (AMP)

⁸ The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.]

John 13:35 (NIV)

³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

[3] Love is Christ’s

Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

John 13:34 (NIV)

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Mark 12:28-31 (NIV)

²⁸ One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹ “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

[4] Our love is … God’s love is

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIRV)

⁴ Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor other people. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs. ⁶ Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. ⁷ It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up.

⁸ Love never fails. 

[5] To give love… believers must and keep receiving the love of God

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIRV)

¹ You are the children that God dearly loves. So follow his example. ² Lead a life of love, just as Christ did. He loved us. He gave himself up for us. He was a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (LB)

Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. ² Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him.