Considering the 5th verse of 1 Corinthians 13, we come to understand a further defining characteristic of Biblical love. The text states plainly that “love seeketh not her own” – that love will absolutely oppose a self-seeking, self-focused, or selfish attitude. This can be also understood from texts such as 2 Timothy 3:2 and John […]

In Proverbs 31:30, we read that “favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised…” This Mother’s Day, we considered this truth that a godly woman is one who honors the Lord God in her heart and finds her satisfaction and purpose in God, not in the […]

In the conclusion to the brief series on Spiritual Shepherding, we come to the most familiar shepherding passage in all of scripture, Psalm 23. From this song of David, we find opportunity for great joy in our God for his tender care and provision as the Great Shepherd. The Lord has promised that his sheep […]

The key truth regarding Biblical love as found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 is that such a love motivates a person to possess a genuinely humble attitude towards others. When the defining character quality of a true Christian is present in the life of the believer, love will manifest itself in humility towards God and the […]

Missionary to South Africa, Bill Knipe, opened the Word of God to Psalm 107 on a Sunday evening to encourage us with the truth of one of the great characteristics of our God – his goodness. Consider the illustrations from personal experience and from the Psalmist regarding the Biblical response that the child of God […]

Continuing our study in 1 Corinthians 13, we come to the second phrase of the fourth verse and find that another characteristic of Biblical Love is an active opposition to envy and jealousy. Biblical love refuses to live in jealousy because it is inwardly delighted to see others succeed and for God’s blessing of grace […]

Continuing our study of the Great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, we considered the words of Jesus himself regarding his shepherding of the souls of his sheep. Jesus is the door to the fold, and all of his sheep will enter in through him, finding safety and life. There will be many “wolves” and “thieves […]

Continuing the study from 1 Corinthians 13 on the Practice of Biblical Love, we come to the fourth verse, which states, “Charity suffereth long and is kind.” Here we consider the truth that Biblical love will manifest itself in kindness towards others, especially toward those who test our patience and bring offense or inconvenience. Love […]

We begin a new series studying Jesus Christ the Gracious and Good Shepherd. In this first sermon, we gain an overview of the concept of shepherding as an illustration in scripture of our great need of spiritual care and direction from the One who is able to guide us into eternal life.  This one, Jesus […]

The scriptures are clear that the Distinctive of Christianity is the character and practice of true, biblical love. Jesus himself stated this truth plainly in John 13:35, when he said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love to one another.”  This biblical love that characterizes the life of […]