"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
Love is unstoppable
It is the only force that overcomes the deep trials of life
We are more than conquerors through the love of God
The love of God allowed Paul to endure prison, continue preaching, bear the thorn in his flesh, to persevere with the Church in Corinth
Overview:
Exposition of the text - love indestructible
An example in the Bible - love in action
This love is fulfilled in Jesus - love Incarnate
Exposition of the text - love indestructible
What does it mean?
Bears all things
To bear up under trials
The Greek word means 'to cover over' - it always protects
The NIV may have a better translation
Husbands loves your wives - explanation
Believes all things
About people
Love goes hand in hand with discernment
It believes the best about others (until it hears otherwise)
It is not gullible
It is not cynical
Especially about God
Not doubting His word or His promises
Hopes all things
Not matter how dark your circumstances
If you are in Christ - all things are working for your good
Endures all things
NIV - it perseveres
The Greek word - meaning 'abiding under great pressure'
A military term
Love is robust
Example of Corrie Ten Boom
Never fails
It goes out in the midst of all difficulty
It does not fade away or vanish
It continues into eternity
Prophecies ... tongues ... and knowledge will all fail - but not love
An example in the Bible - love in action
In Jonathan and David
Jonathan truly loved David - protected, trusted in, thought the best and persevered at all times
Has God given you a Jonathan?
Jesus Christ sticks closer than a brother
Jonathan
A zealous man of God
A bold man
1 Sam 14:6 - "For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few"
Jonathan and David are soulmates
1 Sam 18:1 - "Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."
Have you known someone like this?
They were motivated to glorify God and drawn together
1 Sam 18:3 - "Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul"
The made a covenant together
Jonathan was the blood heir to the throne, but David was chosen by God
They would not wipe each other (as would be usual practice)
1 Sam 18:4 - "And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armour, even to his sword and his bow and his belt."
Tremendous humility from Jonathan
Example of "Spare" - an awful lot of resentment and anger
Jonathan is happy for David
Love is not self-seeking (1 Cor 13:5)
David accepts God's purpose
Have you been let down by a supposedly loyal friend?
Jonathan was different
He was prepared to give his life for David: Reading 1 Sam 19:1-4
Saul was prepared to kill his own son - example
It was not easy for Jonathan to go before Saul
Saul listened to Jonathan v6 (for a time)
1 Sam 20:3 - "Then David took an oath again, and said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favour in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”"
1 Sam 20:4 - "So Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.”"
1 Sam 20:33 - he put his life on the line for David
He now knew the Saul was intent on killing David
1 Sam 20:41-42 - reading these verses
1 Sam 23:16-17
Jonathan hoped for the best, always protected David, had an enduring love
The deep love of God was in them both
Application:
Women are better at forming deeper relationship than men - is this true?
Men often lack friends
Men often don't open up
Men often commit suicide
It is more important to be a Jonathan than find a Jonathan
It is more important to give
Who is your Jonathan?
This love is fulfilled in Jesus - love Incarnate
The best example of all - no failure, no distrust ... the best friend is Jesus
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
He watches, He gives Himself, He always protects
Example of Douglas MacMillan
Jesus is the greater Shepherd
He gave His life for the sheep
Jesus comforts us
Jesus allows us to go through difficult and hard times - for our benefit
