WHAT IS LIFE WITHOUT LOVE?           	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  2-4-01  P.M.     		1Cor.13:1-3    		
	Do YOU ever feel unloved?  What does that do for your "day"? How do you relate to others... 
do they know you love them?  The Believers at Corinth were endowed with all of the "gifts" of the Spirit, 
yet they were lacking in love.  The Ephesian church was rebuked by Christ for having "left their first love". 
(Rev.2:4) The writer of Proverbs has some very pointed remarks... 
	Prov 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. (KJV) 
	Prov 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth 
		very friends. (KJV) 
	Prov 30:21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: (KJV) 
	Prov 30:23 For an odious woman when she is married; ..... (KJV) 
I.  GOD'S WORD ON LOVE.. 
  A. The Words Used...  "phileo"..  tender affection 
    1. The Father Loves This way... 
	- He loves the Son.. Jn.5:20 
	- He loves the Believer.. Jn.16:27 
    2. The disciple Peter said he loved Jesus in this way..  Jn.21:15-17 
    3. There is a warning for not loving this way..  1Cor.16:22 
  B. The Words Used... "agapao" and "agape"..  values, esteems, self giving without regards to 
	the "object"  (used in various ways) 
    1. Describes God's attitude toward His Son..  Jn.17:26 
	- Toward the human race in general.. Jn.3:16; Ro.5:8 
	- Toward the Believer in particular..  Jn.14:21 
II.  GOD HIMSELF IS LOVE.. 
  A. The Word is "Agape"..  1Jn.4:8, 16 
    1. The only word in the Bible used to describe God without any qualification or explanation!! 
    2. This word expresses the deep and constant love and concern of a perfect being towards totally 
	unworthy objects!  WOW !!!
 ** BUT.. love can only be known from the actions it prompts.... 
III.  GOD REVEALED HIS LOVE.. 
  A. He "so loved that He gave..."  John 3:16 
    1. A love not based on emotion.. or feeling 
    2. A love which deliberately chooses by an act of the will its object (unworthy) and through thick 
	and thin, regardless of the attractiveness of the object, goes on loving continually, eternally!! 
  B. He "demonstrated His love in that while we were yet sinners.." Ro.5:8 
    1. This "agape" speaks of complete self denial.. an act of the will 
IV.  GOD REQUIRES LOVE.. 
   - Jesus questioned Peter.. John 21:15-17..  "lovest thou me?" 
   - Jesus said this is the "first and greatest commandment"  Mt.22:36-38 
   - Notice what is said about love and the "gifts".... 
  A. Love is Sovereign in Emotions... 13:1 
    1. One might be a great orator.. and move crowds 
    2. One such without love is just so much "noise" 
  B. Love is Sovereign in Intellect.. vs.2 
    1. One may exercise all the gifts.. but without love is Nothing 
  C. Love is Sovereign in Will 
    1. One may go the limit of self sacrifice.. but without love.. it is worthless.  
	- Take God out of "good" and all you have left is 0
 ** Christian Love Is Not An Impulse From Feelings... 
	- We are to love whether or not we feel like it.. 
	- We are to love whether or not we are inclined.. 
	- We are to love and seek the good of all and the ill of none.. 
V.  GOD SUPPLIES THE LOVE.. 
  A. The New Birth Makes The Difference!! A New Testament Christian 
    1. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts... by the Holy Spirit"  Ro.5:5 
  B. The Fullness of The Holy Spirit Makes The Difference..  Gal.5:22 
    1. The "fruit of the Spirit is love..."
 **  HOW IS YOUR "LOVE LIFE"? 
	- ARE YOU IN LOVE WITH THE LOVER OF YOUR SOUL?
	- IS YOUR HEART, HOME, LABOR FILLED WITH LOVE? 
	- HAVE YOU BEEN TRULY BORN AGAIN ?? 
	- JESUS CALLED UPON BELIEVERS TO REPENT OF THEIR LOVELESSNESS"
		 Rev.2:5... "repent.. or I will remove your light" !