James 4: 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Corinthians 13:1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

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

Chapter 14

1 Let love be your highest goal!

WE DEFINE LOVE TO MEAN WHATEVER WE WANT TO MAKE IT MEAN.

Mark 10: 17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

1. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO LOVE SOMEONE YOU DON’T KNOW.

WHY DO YOU CALL ME GOOD? ONLY GOD IS GOOD?

HOW WE ADDRESS JESUS IS ALWAYS THE  BEGINNING TEST OF HUMILITY!

JESUS HAS TO BE LORD IN ORDER TO CHANGE OUR HEART!

JESUS AS MASTER AND LORD, GIVES COMMANDS, NOT RECOMMENDATIONS!

1. Love is the missing ingredient.

1 Corinthians 8: Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

GOD’S LESSONS ARE NEVER LIMITED TO GREATER KNOWLEDGE!

Deuteronomy 6: 4 “Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Matthew 22: 37 Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

WE WILL ALWAYS SACRIFICE FOR WHAT WE LOVE!

1. The Jesus Test!

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Would Jesus ask me to give up my loves to follow Him?

OUR PRIDE OR HUMILITY, DETERMINES OUR ABILITY TO ANSWER THE CALL!

1. Is Jesus the Lord and Master of my life?
2. What other loves inhibit my love for Jesus?
3. Am I willing to sacrifice my loves for my love for Jesus?