The Power of Love
2/14/16
History behind Valentine's
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help
Christians escape
harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one
legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself
after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him
during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter
signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the
truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as
a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages,
perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular
saints in England and France.
We must define or redefine what love is?
Webster's definition
Love = unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the
fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others
Love has been polluted by Satan, he can only try to duplicate what God has created.
The media/world says it is all about sexual attraction.
While this is partly true it is not the whole truth and anything less than the whole
truth is diluted.
Two types of love
1. Ahav man's love toward mankind (used only in OT)
2. Agape love is God's attitude or affection toward mankind. (Used only in NT)
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (Based on
attitude not works or condition)
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is
love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
John 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved
you.
13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
-What are you suppose to do with love?
1. Love God
Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, and with all your strength.
2. The Power of Love causes you to Love People
Deuteronomy 10:19 "Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land
of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 7
7 The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in
number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;
8 "but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He
swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and
redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9 "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps
covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep
His commandments;
3. The Power of Love helps you forgive
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.(transgressions)
4. Love for God's word will bring you peace
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them
to stumble.
5. The Power of Love allows you to become a servant
Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty
as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
The power of real love will cause you:
(ESV)
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not
arrogant
5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will
cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.