Loves Defined in the Bible
LOVES: DEFINED IN THE BIBLE
I. WHAT IS LOVE?
Philosophers have attempted to capture the essence of love for centuries.
THE FOUR TYPES OF LOVE:
§ Eros – Romantic Attraction
§ Philia – Deep Friendship
§ Storge – Familial Bonds
§ Agape – Self Sacrificing Love
BIG IDEA: Only AGAPE LOVE makes permanent, powerful, and purpose driven relationships possible.
LOVE IS NOT AN EMOTION.
LOVE IS A CHOICE.
§ Love is a response to value.
§ Value is measured by what you are willing to spend for something.
§ Value can be measured by how much one is willing to give up for another.
II. DEFINING LOVE
A. Love was defined and directed by it’s creator.
§ John 3:16 / John 15:12-13 / 1 John 4:19-20
§ Value, Truth, and Kindness are always present in authentic agape love.
B. The enemy knows how important definitions are. Genesis 3 contains the strategy:
§ He attacks KINDNESS by portraying God as unloving and withholding blessings. [Genesis 3:1]
§ He attacks TRUTH by immediately attempting to undo the one rule God set. [Genesis 3:4]
§ He attacks VALUE by making God to appear to be selfishly limiting you. [Genesis 3:5]
C. Definitions are important because if the enemy can redefine something then he can redirect the identity, meaning, and intention of a thing.
§ Agape Love always contains three primary elements… value, kindness, and truth.
o Proverbs 3:3 [NASB]
o Proverbs 16:6 [NASB]
III. CHOOSING LOVE
A. A study found that the number one factor that determined if marriages ended in divorce, was contempt.
B. Questions:
§ Is Value, Truth, and Kindness present in the way you love others? [Proverbs 3:3]
§ Would God say that you love others the way He loves you? [John 15:12]
Is there anyone that God is challenging you to “love better?” [1 John 4:19-20]