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TITLE: Is Love Enough?

TEXT: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
PROPOSITION: It takes more than love to build a relationship.
QUESTION: What?
KEY WORD: Lessons
SCRIPTURE READING: Same


INTRODUCTION:

  1. In pre-marriage counseling – Why do you want to get married?

  2. Common answer – We love each other.

  3. Is that enough? - Stare in silence – What else is needed?

  4. Don Henley song - “Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough” - The relationship is failing because all they have is love – That is not enough.


Our definitions are confused

  1. Our definition and God's definition are different

  2. To us – warm, fuzzy, feelings – What they can do for us, how they meet my needs – If they don't meet my needs, I will find someone else

  3. We wrap all love in “feelings” - so as feelings change – we go in and out of love

  4. George McDonald - “They had a feeling, or a feeling had them, till another feeling came along and took its place. When a feeling was there, they felt as it is would never let go; when it was gone they felt as it they had never been; when it returned, they felt it was never gone.”

  5. There is no such thing as “love at first sight” - Love is more than warm fuzzies


Looking at the text

  1. This passage is the consummate passage on love

  2. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7


True Love, God's Way

  1. Genesis 1:26-28

  2. Genesis 2:20-25

  3. What is missing? Love.

  4. Two responsibilities

    1. Become one flesh

    2. Multiply

  5. We are told to love our neighbor as ourselves – first we must love ourselves

  6. Love is not the fuel for a marriage – Commitment is the fuel.


Lessons to Learn

  1. To God, Love is Action

    1. Love God, Love Neighbor, Love self

    2. John 14:15

    3. John 15:10

    4. We serve BECAUSE we love

    5. John 15:13

    6. 1 John 4:20

  2. To God, Love is Eternal

    1. Jeremiah 1:5 – love is life long

    2. Ephesians 5:25-26

    3. Hebrews 13:5 – Jesus will always be there for His church

    4. Isaiah 60:19-22


Tying it all Together

  1. Love is action and commitment

  2. Love is eternal – life-long, not up and down, in and out

  3. Ecclesiastes 3:11 – He has put eternity in our hearts

  4. Don Henley song - “If you find someone to love in this world you better hang on tooth and nail, the wolf is always at your door.”


Conclusion

  1. Love is not a feeling

  2. Love is a commitment

  3. Love is action

  4. Love is eternal



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