1. Loving as Jesus loves – love is essential 1 Cor.13:1-3
1. God is Love – 1John4:8,16
God gives of himself
a. He creates us
b. He saves us
- sacrificial act of love – John 3:16; 1John 3:16; 4:9,10
- intimate relationship – Eph.5:31,32
- secure/permanent relationship –Rom.8:35-39

2. c. God serves us 1. Assuring us of his love –Rom.5:5; 8:15,16
2. Equipping us to serve – 1Cor.12:4-6; 1Cor.12-14; Eph.4:1-16; 1Pet.4:10,11
3. Providing all we need
- Our Shepherd – Ps.23; John 10
- Cleansing us – Eph.5:25-27
- Praying for us- Lk.22:31,32;Heb.7:24,25
- Sharing his plans – John 15:15
- Enabling us to do what is right-Rev.19:8;Phil.2:12,13

3. 2. God’s people must love 1Cor.13 is about life in the Church
a. Without love I am hollow – v.1
b. Without love I am nothing – v.2
c. Without love I achieve nothing – v.3
Christ’s love must fill our hearts & motivate us – 2Cor.5:14,15

4. 3. Practical steps a. Respond to God’s sacrificial love
b. You owe a debt of love – Rom.13:8
1. Those in the Church
- do you know them?
- do you pray for them? Eph.3:16-19
- pray & show love to 1 difficult person
2. Those outside the Church
- 1 difficult person, 1 person to “reach/teach”
c. “Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus”-Rom.13:14