Intro:

Last week we began a new series over the three theological virtues. These virtues are theological b/c they are given to us by God and not something we cultivate or develop on our own. These virtues are found in But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. These virtues are given to us by God to strengthen and secure us in the faith. They are blessings from heaven and why we’ve titled this series “Gifts of Virtue.”

The Preeminence of Love

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), .

Exegeting the Text

V. 1 we have peace w/ God! This peace was instigated by him (we’ll discuss more later).

V. 2 “introduction” is not the best translation. Just about every other translation is more accurate when it says “access.”

V. 5 we have hope, and hope does not disappoint b/c the love of God has been poured out in our hearts.

“Poured out” denotes a gushing forth. It is a violent release of something. Τhe literal definition is to be emitted in quantity; to give generously.

Reminds me of Luke’s description of the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:2 NASB95

And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

We learned last week that one of the ways we have hope is by the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is by his presence in us that we experience the love of God.

We know God loves us b/c of Calvary, but we experience that love by the pouring out of the Holy Spirit into our hearts.

Just as a baby experiences love by his mother’s touch; God’s touch on us is his Spirit w/in us.

Pay careful attention to the fact that God’s love for us was expressed, not when we earned it but when we were at our worst and alienated from him.

1.) Love is Premier

V. 8 true love (αγαπν) does not wait to be acted upon and then reciprocate; it acts first!

God did not wait for us to come to him looking for salvation and forgiveness; he came to us!

V. 8 - Paul said “God demonstrates his own love toward us.”

Two aspects about this word: a) it’s present tense, meaning that the cross 2,000 years later is still the emphatic statement of God’s great love. b) this word also carries the idea of an introduction.

Eph 2:1-7

All the love of God we have experienced is only a taste of what God has in store for us.

His love is deeper, broader, longer, and higher than we can even imagine much less experience in this life.

is a paradox. V. 18 Paul prays we would comprehend and in v. 19 he says the love of Christ is beyond knowledge.

In v.18, the comprehension is not to the particular dimensional aspects of God’s love, but to its over all immensity.

Knowing that God’s love is far greater than can be measured and understood lets us know that his love will always be there for us and supply that which we need, and this unknowing keeps us trusting by faith.

2.) Love is Powerful

The gospel is the story of the power of God’s love.

Love is powerful in that it is unconditional.

Love has to power to make the blind see, the lame walk; it gives life to the dead.

As the old hymn says, “Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves, He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves; He’s the master of the sea, billows His will obey; He your savior wants to be—be saved today. Love lifted me, when nothing else could help love lifted me.”

There is no bridge love cannot build, no problem it cannot solve, no mountain it cannot climb, and no transgression it will not forgive.

Love is the lubricant that makes everything run smoothly; the seasoning that makes everything taste better; the glue that holds everything together; the medicine that heals every wound; the light that brightens the darkest corner; the food that satisfies every hunger; the drink that quenches every thirst; the gift that’s perfect for every occasion; the weapon that conquers every enemy; the nutrient that makes everything grow.

3.) Love is Personified

Love is fleshed out in the one acting in love.

Jesus is the love of the Father personified.

John 1:14 NASB95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The word of God’s love became flesh in the person of Jesus.

When we act in love toward another, our love for them fleshes out in what we do.

1 John 3:18–19 NASB95

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him

1 John 3:18 NASB95

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

Think of it this way, when someone does something out of love for you, it’s not the deed they did but the fact that they did it warms your heart.

4.) Love is Permanent

Feelings change over time.

Love does not change b/c love is not a feeling; it is a commitment.

Real agape love cannot be turned away.

One can reject what it gives and even reject its expression, but you cannot stop it from giving or expressing.

Even if we reject it and turn it away, love’s gift of itself remains (God does not take Jesus back just b/c we may choose to reject Him).