Qualities of a pure heart - 7

Qualities Determination – undivided, prioritized & resolved Development – integrity, patience, humility and contentment Results – kindness, dignity and confidence Today – Motive – love!

Love In Greek, 4 words translated “love” in English. 2 in the Bible – φιλέω (phileo) and ἀγάπη (agape)

Love (ἀγάπη) “to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation, loving concern.” (L&N, 25:43) “to love, to be full of good will, to exhibit the same” (Thayer)

Love (ἀγάπη) “”the characteristic word of Christianity.” (Vine’s) Gal. 5:22-23, 2 Pet. 1:7, Col. 3:12-14 Caring enough to sacrifice for what is best.

Love The motive that governs every relationship we are in God’s love – John 3:16 Jesus’ love – John 15:13 Our love for Him – Mark 12:30-31 Our brethren – John 13:34-35 Family – Ephesians 5:25-33 Neighbors – Gal. 5:14, Jas. 2:8 Enemies – Matthew 5:43-44

Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Suffers long – Patience Is Kind - Kindness Does not envy – content Does not parade itself – humility Does not behave rudely - dignity

Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Does not seek its own – Unselfish Is not provoked – self-control Thinks no evil – gives the benefit of the doubt

Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Does not rejoice in iniquity, rejoices in truth – not endorsing ungodliness Bears all things, believes all things, endures all things Never fails – always there!

Love Must come from a pure heart. It will manifest itself Its importance, 1 Cor. 13:1-3

Love Matt. 22:37, Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Col. 2:2, hearts encouraged…knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding.

Love 2 Thess. 3:5, Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God. 2 Tim. 2:22, Flee youthful lusts, pursue righteousness, faith, love…out of a pure heart

Love 2 1 Pet. 1:22, Love one another fervently with a pure heart. Romans 5:5, the love of God has been poured out in our hearts (cf. 1 John 4:19)

Love That the pure heart is motivated by love is seen in numerous other texts Rom. 12:9, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” 1 Cor. 8:1, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”

Love 1 Cor. 16:14, “Let all that you do be done with love.” Gal. 5:13, “through love serve one another” Col. 3:12-14, Above all, “put on love which is the bond of perfection.” 2 Pet. 1:7, Gal. 5:22

Love How is love demonstrated? By loving God – 1 John 4:19, Obeying Him – John 15:9-10, 14:15, 1 John 5:3 By loving others – Matt. 22:39, John 13:34-35, Rom. 13:8-10, 1 Pet. 4:8

Love How is love demonstrated? Forgiveness, a practical example to consider Matt. 6:14-15 (cf. Lk. 15:11-31) Matt. 18:21-22, Lk. 17:3-4 – How often? 70x7 Col. 3:13, Eph. 4:32

May love prevail from our hearts as we put on its qualities!