!["He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in." Isa 40:22](https://iccbibletalks.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TheGlobeInSpace-630x420.jpg)
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.” Isa 40:22
Opening Question: What is one thing right now that you “need?”
“All you need is love.” (Globe, what do you see?) What does it mean to love?
1 Cor. 13:1-8a
- What kind of talking is “gong-like” in your life?
- For me, insincere apologies. Sarcasm. It’s our chasm!
- The “never” and the “always” and the “every single time” statements. The “I told you so’s”
- Does not matter how eloquent or how polished. Do I truly love?
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
- What do you know something about? Expert in? What does that look like?
- Computers. Bible? What does it look like to be an expert, to have knowledge, but no love?
- Have you ever interacted with a “know-it-all?” Have you ever been one?
- Prophecy – knowing your bible really well. Is it possible to know it well and not do it? Where does faith come from? (Romans 10:17) So is it possible to have faith but no love?
- What is gained by knowledge and faith – without love? Why nothing?
- How much I know (no matter the facts) and how brilliant my mind (no matter how sharp) and even a faith that can move a mountain (certainly pleasing to God) – if there is no love in it…I am nothing. Ministry experience. Work experience. Wisdom…without love…makes you, me, nothing! If I cannot fathom love and how to make myself love…I’ve missed the entire point.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
- Sacrifice you have made personally? Why did you make it?
- How could we be sacrificial and yet not love? What happens if we don’t love and yet we sacrifice? (I’ve gotten bitter.)
What are some popular love songs? What ideas about love are out there in the world?
What is love? “A second hand emotion?”
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
- What does it mean to love each other? 1 Peter 1:22
- What does it mean to love God? 1 John 5:3
- Need to know what he teaches to obey it. Get back in the Word – to living it.
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