THE LOVE FACTOR Intro. Christianity not based on love, but on Christ & his word (Matt.7:24-27; Jn.12:48). Love, however, is the major factor. John.13:34-35 goes beyond Leviticus 19:18. “…even as I have loved you,” to the death. Hence, the mark of the Christian.

P.2, The Home I. WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? A. In English only one word expresses all nuances of meaning. Does not express the quality of that love. meaning. Does not express the quality of that love. B. In Greek 3 Words: Each expresses a distinct quality: quality: 1. Eros, sexual love, Romans identified with Cupid. 2. Phileo, feeling love. As in Tit.2: Agape, unselfish love without sexual implica- tions, whether feel like or not. E.g., God’s & Christ’s love for mankind, Jn.3:16 Cf Isa.9:6, the child is born…the son is given. Cf Isa.9:6, the child is born…the son is given. Cf 1 Jn.4:10. Cf 1 Jn.4:10.

P. 3, The Home C. Agape Love Expresses Itself Toward Another Whether You Feel Like It or Not! E.g., 1. God’s love for us, Jn.3:16 2. Our love for Christ; 14:15; 1 Jn.5:3. 3. Our love for the brethren, READ 1 Jn.3:13-18.

“Marvel not, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not abides in death. Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and truth” “Marvel not, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not abides in death. Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 Jn.3:13-18). Agape love acts in another’s favor whether you feel like it or not!

P. 5, The Home C. Love That Expresses Itself Toward Another Whether You Feel Like It or Not!E.g., 1. God’s love for us, Jn.3:16 2. Our love for Christ; 14:15; 1 Jn.5:3. 3. Our love for the brethren, READ 1 Jn.3: D. Is that hypocrisy? 1. What of one’s feelings for his enemies? Lk.6:27,”I say to them that hear, Love your enemies. Do good to them that hate you…” 1. What of one’s feelings for his enemies? Lk.6:27,”I say to them that hear, Love your enemies. Do good to them that hate you…” 2. What of a mother’s love for her newborn? 2. What of a mother’s love for her newborn?

P.6, The Home II. APPLY TO THE HOME: A. Agape Love Will Produce Phileo Love, Tit. 2:3-4. The feeling will follow. B. The Husband’s Love For His Wife, Eph.5: The feeling will follow. C. The Family’s Love for Each Other: loving the unlovable, 1 Cor.13:1-8a. The feeling will follow.

P.7, The Love Factor 1 Cor.13:4-8 Love’s characteristic identity (NEB): PatientKind Not jealous Is never boastful Not conceited Not rude Never selfish Not quick to take offense Keeps no score of wrongs Does not gloat over other men’s sins Delights in the truth There is nothing love cannot face, there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and its endurance Love Never Fails! Question: Do you believe this? See Mt. 7:24-27

P.8 The Love Factor III. How Serious the Love Factor Is in a Christian Marriage, 1 Pet. 3:8 “You husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge… giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel… as also being joint heirs of the grace of life: to the end that your prayers be not hindered” 1 Pet.3:8 Question: Believest thou this? Matt.7:24-27.