Love That Grows Stronger and Becomes More Christ-Like Every Day

Love that grows Stronger and becomes More Christ-Like Every Day

Scripture Related to God’s Love By: Bernardine Gibbs Opening Prayer By: William Mahoney Lesson Scripture Foundation 1st Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. Background Generally new believers have questions about their new faith. Paul new this so he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica shortly after establishing the church there to report on how the young church was doing. Timothy returned with considerable questions posed by the new converts. Consequently, Paul addressed their question in 1st Thessalonians, by reinforcing the basic gospel message, instructing them further in the faith and providing practical applications for spiritual truth. Historically- Thessalonica was one of the first cities evangelized by Paul and Silas on the continent of Europe. They were invited by a man with a vision (Acts 16:9,10) from Macedonia to preach the gospel in the area. Because of its location Thessalonica became the primary base for the spread of the gospel in Macedonia and Greece. Paul had considerable success, not only among the Jews but also among the god-fearing Greeks. However, some Jews rejected Paul’s message and they were

1 envious of his successes, subsequently, they hired thugs to attack him and spread negative rumors on the integrity and intent of his ministry. As a result, Paul fled to Berea, where they had a good reception, yet Paul longed for the converts in Thessalonica. Such is the impetus for writing 1st Thessalonians.

Paul’s Message and Purpose to the Thessalonians To encourage the church by emphasizing their faith. Paul warned the congregation of their coming affliction. He focused on the scripture that teaches them “who live godly lives” to expect persecution (2 Tim 3:12). Suffering from persecution should not cause them to be downcast; instead they should rejoice that they have been considered worthy of sharing in Christ’s suffering (Matt 5:10-12). Paul had a concern that the Thessalonians might succumb to the temptation of Satan and forsake the Christian Faith; that concern was put to rest when Timothy reported that the Thessalonians stood fast to their faithfulness to Christ. Through his separation Paul developed a strong desire to see the Thessalonians not only to satisfy his own love and emotion but to perfect or complete their own faith, realizing that there is always room for improvement. Paul noted that the Thessalonian’s endurance under persecution demonstrated the growth of their faith; however, Paul wanted them to mature in it. Christ told his disciples that His followers would be identified by their love for one another (John 13:35). In keeping with that mark of identification, Paul prayed that the Thessalonians would love each other more and more, emphasizing that he desired that the hearts of

2 the Thessalonians would become blameless in holiness not only before people but also before God.

Significance This brings us to our lesson today that focuses on the fundamental tenets of the varying characteristics of Love as espoused by the Greeks. The Thessalonian believers already had a good record of loving one another, but Paul wanted that love to increase more and more as commanded by Jesus (John 13:34), which is an important basis of evangelism. In a world that is filled with self-serving individuals it becomes imperative that the genuine love of Christians should attract others to the faith which is the major thesis of missionary work! Let’s discuss and evaluate the various types of love according to the Greeks to arrive at the love Jesus speaks. Eros Love Biblical Significance of Eros Eros is used in the Old Testament to express the physical and sensual intimacy between a husband and a wife. Because God deliberately uses the relationship of marriage as an illustration of the relationship he has with his people, using the Bible, as his love letter it illustrates this love with its varying intensity and the beauty of the relationship that exists between God and those who believe in him. God loves us as a Bridegroom, as “a lover with all the passion of a true love,” he says. Within the boundary of marriage, Eros love is to be celebrated. One example of this beautiful imagery is found in the Song of Solomon.

Small Nugget #1: Give us an example of Eros love in your life Alice Evans Yura Wright Linard Bethune Storge love in the Bible Storge (pronounced stor-JAY) is a Greek word that is used in Christianity to mean family love, the bond among mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, and brothers. Examples of Storge in the Scriptures Many examples of family love are found in Scripture, such as the love and mutual protection among Noah and his wife, their sons, and daughters-in-law in Genesis; the love of Jacob for his sons; and the strong love the sisters Martha and Mary in the gospels had for their brother Lazarus. The family was a vital part of ancient Jewish culture. In the Ten Commandments, God charges his people to: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12, NIV) When we become followers of Jesus Christ, we enter into the family of God. Our lives are bound together by something stronger than physical ties—the bonds of the Spirit. We are related by something more powerful than human blood—the blood of Jesus Christ. God calls his family to love one another with the deep affection of storge. Small Nugget #2: How has Storge love affected your life? Angelia Smith

Bernardine Gibbs Phileo Love Philia means close friendship or brotherly love in Greek. It is one of the four types of love in the Bible. St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (354–430 AD), understood this form of love to describe a love of equals who are united in a common purpose, pursuit, good, or end. Thus, philia refers to love based on mutual respect, shared devotion, joint interests, and common values. It is the love near and dear friends have for one another. Philia Meaning Philia (pronounced FILL-ee-uh) conveys a strong feeling of attraction. It is the most general form of love in the Bible, encompassing love for fellow humans, care, respect, and compassion for people in need. For example, philia describes the benevolent, kindly love. The most common form of philia is close friendship. Philia and other forms of this Greek noun are found throughout the New Testament. Christians are frequently exhorted to love their fellow Christians. Philadelphia (brotherly love) appears a handful of times, and philia (friendship) appears once in James: According to Strong's Concordance, the Greek verb philéō is closely related to the noun philia. It means "to show warm affection in an intimate friendship." It is characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship. Both philia and phileo originate from the Greek term phílos, a noun meaning "beloved, dear ... a friend; someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a trusted confidant held dear in a close bond of personal affection." Philos expresses experience-based love.

Philia Love in the Bible Is a Family Word Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10 ESV) Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another... (1 Thessalonians 4:9, ESV) (c ) Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1, ESV) And godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:7, ESV) Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart ... (1 Peter 1:22, ESV) Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1 Peter 3:8, ESV) Small Nugget #3: How has Phileo love enriched your life? Sharhonda Johnson Paul Stephens Glen Robinson Agape love Agape could be defined as charity. However, we often think of charity nowadays as giving away money or things, which doesn’t encompass all of what agape is about. Agape love is unconcerned with the self and concerned with the greatest good of another. Agape isn’t born just out of emotions, feelings, familiarity, or attraction, but from the will and as a choice. Agape requires faithfulness, commitment, and sacrifice without expecting anything in return.

This is the type of love the Bible speaks about the most. The New Testament references agape over 200 times. Agape love, in the Bible, is love that comes from God. God’s love isn’t sentimental; it’s part of His character. God loves from an outpouring of who He is. As 1 John 4:8 states, “God is love [agapos],” meaning He is the source of agape love. His love is undeserved, gracious, and sacrificial. We are to love God and others with agape love. Agape is a choice, a deliberate striving for another’s highest good, and is demonstrated through action. God set the standard for agape love in sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners. Agape Love Examples Matthew 22:37-39, also known as “The Greatest Commandments,” instructs us to agapao God and our neighbors, while Matthew 5:43-46 instructs us to even agapao our enemies. However, a person can also agape or wholeheartedly love the wrong things. 1 John 2:15 warns believers not to love the things of the world. 1 Corinthians 13 lays out a list of things that define agape. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). A love that sacrifices self-interest just to bring another closer to the Great Commission Small Nugget #4: How does Agape love feel in your life? David and Irene Williams

Willie Mae & Joe Myers Glen Robinson