Sermon Tone Analysis

1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NLT

4 Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.

It does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless.

But love will last forever!

KEY VERSE: John 13:34-35, NLT.

Jesus Speaking.

I. THE UNIQUE VALUE OF LOVE

"From the highest throne in heaven to the most humble dwelling on earth, love both divine and human affairs.

So comprehensive is its scope, so intricate its influence, and so elevated its principles, that no single person can comprehend its fullness.

Yet, the most humble person can experience it and receive its embrace.

The most beautiful language merely suggests its beauty and power, but the human heart can possess both.

Love is the most divine expression a person can give or receive" (Hall, 1982, fall, pp.

42-43).

1. Love cannot be purchased, demanded, or even pursued.

2. It can only be given and received.

— Bring up Elayna and give her the biggest hug.

—

One of the most touching moments with me being a father was when Elayna was going to be in class.

She sat in front of her computer, pushed back her hair, and smiled.

She wanted to look the best she could before she went on camera.

Something in me broke.

Here sat my beautiful baby girl.

I didn’t choose to love her, I just did.

Every single strand of her crazy hair.

Her wonderful smile.

Her cute cute face.

I realized that my sole responsibility is to make sure she feels love.

A. The Preeminence of Love

1. Love is greater than all other virtues, gifts, talents, abilities, skills, and powers combined.

2. We may be spiritually gifted or have great talents, but if we have not LOVE we are "as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal."

"Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love."

(1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT).

3. Why is love greater than faith, prophecy, and the other gifts of the Spirit?

4. Why is it greater than good works, greater than all our talents combined?

a) Because all of these great gifts and qualities of character become cold and dead without love.

b) On the other hand, words that are spoken and works that are done with LOVE provide long lasting effects.

B. People Need to Show Love - it’s good for you!

1. "Kiss Your Troubles Good-bye”

"Nobody has a scientific explanation for it, but a study shows that the benefits of wife-kissing are well worth the effort.

Based on an analysis of married life-insurance policyholders in West Germany, the insured husband who regularly kisses his wife before leaving for the office or plant will, compared to the non-kissing husband: Live 5 years longer, have fewer automobile accidents, be away from work 50 percent fewer days because of illness, and earn about 25 percent more money.

No precise explanation?

Who needs one?

"The kiss when he leaves-just a gesture?

Oh no! It's sunlight for the rest of the day.

Two people let each other know the joy of being appreciated.

The kiss is a seal of faithfulness.

Any man can face the day better after he's looked into the glowing face of a woman who knows she's loved, and who says to him in this simple gesture: "You are my husband.

I am your wife.

We have each other.

We have a lot going for us.

"Of course, words get in the way.

So it's said with a kiss.

"Kid stuff, you say?

Well, you're wrong.

Husband and wife not only need to love each other, they need to show it.

And they need to show it in a hundred little ways.

The fewer big ways are not quite as important.

Love thrives on a little attention, a little respect, a little praise, a little genuine affection, a little snack together, a smile, a squeeze.

"There's nothing lovely as the love that a man and a woman can have for each other.

But the modern man isn't especially noted for his common sense in the treatment of his wife.

He doesn't try to continue the courtship.

He doesn't bother to put a little romance into his marriage.

Then he wonders why life goes stale for him.

"So when you're around your wife, man, pucker up.

One study shows you'll live longer-and you'll certainly live better.

And your marriage will be more of the picture of heaven that God intended it to be" (Horban, 1974, p. 7).

The power of love go far beyond just husband and wife.

Children benefit from loving parents

Brothers and sisters benefit from loving siblings

Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, nieces, nephews

The person across the aisle, they all need LOVE!

2. But it is very sad if we say we love God, but fail to show love to those closest to us.

"If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother (or wife, or husband, child, or friend), he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"

(1 John 4:20, KJV).

C. The Power of Love

"Love is strong as death" (Song of Solomon 8:6, KJV).

1.

Throughout the Bible God chose love to bring together a husband, a wife, and their children as beautiful examples for us to see.

The story of Ruth & Boaz

"Whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me" (Ruth 1:16-18, KJV).

The story of Jacob & Rachel

"Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had for her" (Genesis 29:20, KJV).

2. It was the Jews that cried, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

But it was love that took Jesus to the cross to die for his bride, the church.

D. The Definition of Love

How can we define, describe, or know what love is?

1. Phileo refers to love on the level of friendship or brotherly love.

— to have a great affection or care for or loyalty towards.

— to find very enjoyable or agreeable.

2. Agape is a much deeper love.

It is the love that took Jesus to the cross to die for us, and it is the love of a mother for her child.

II.

THE CHARACTER OF LOVE

1. Thread by thread, Paul examined the individual colors, or virtues, intricately woven in Agape love.

2.

He displays them for us in 1 Corinthians 13,

A. Long Suffering and Kindness

1. Love is patient & longsuffering.

longsuffering: having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.