Agape Love: The Foundation of Christian Life

Summary

Love is a word we hear everywhere—on the radio, in movies, in our daily conversations. Yet, the English language falls short in capturing the depth and variety of what love truly means. The Greek language, in contrast, gives us four distinct words: storge (family affection), eros (romantic love), phileo (brotherly love), and agape (God’s self-sacrificing, others-centered love). Agape is the foundation; without it, the other forms of love become distorted—eros becomes lust, storge becomes infatuation, and phileo becomes manipulation.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, especially chapter 13, places agape love at the very center of Christian life. Spiritual gifts, knowledge, faith, and even acts of charity are all empty without love. Love is not just a feeling or an idea; it is an action, a verb. It is patient, kind, forgiving, and enduring. It is a choice we make, even when it’s difficult, even when we don’t feel like it, and especially when dealing with people who are hard to love.

Jesus modeled this love by washing the feet of his disciples—including Judas, his betrayer. He called his followers to love one another as he loved them, making love the defining mark of his disciples. This love is not about being right, having the best theology, or the most passionate worship. It’s about how we treat one another, especially in our closest relationships—marriage, family, friendship, and even with our enemies.

Love is eternal. Faith and hope are essential now, but in the age to come, faith will become sight and hope will be fulfilled. Love, however, will remain. We were created by love, for love—to receive it from God and to give it away. Our legacy will not be our achievements or possessions, but how we loved. In every relationship, love is the best use of our lives. Even when we are hurt by others, especially within the church, the answer is always to return to love, forgiveness, and patience. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can love as Jesus loves, and in doing so, we reveal God to the world.

Key Takeaways

- Agape Love as the Foundation: The Greek language reveals that love is multifaceted, but agape—God’s self-sacrificing love—is the foundation that gives meaning and purity to all other forms of love. Without agape, our relationships become self-serving or manipulative. This challenges us to examine whether our love is truly rooted in God’s character or merely in our own desires. [03:12]

- Love is Superior to All Gifts and Achievements: No matter how gifted, knowledgeable, or generous we are, if love is absent, our actions are empty. Paul’s words remind us that love is not an accessory to the Christian life but its very essence. This calls us to prioritize love above all else, even above spiritual experiences or doctrinal correctness. [06:01]

- Love is a Verb and a Choice: Love is not primarily a feeling but an action and a decision. We are called to love even when it’s hard, even when we don’t “like” someone, and especially when forgiveness is required. This kind of love is only possible as we allow Jesus to transform our hearts, making us more like him in patience, kindness, and endurance. [09:16]

- The Mark of a Disciple is Love: Jesus made it clear that the world will recognize his followers by their love for one another, not by their knowledge, worship style, or religious activity. This love is most powerfully displayed in humility, servanthood, and the willingness to love even those who hurt or betray us. Our witness to the world depends on how we love within the church and in our closest relationships. [14:43]

- Love is Eternal and Our Lasting Legacy: While faith and hope are vital now, love is the only virtue that will last forever. We were created by love, for love, and our greatest legacy will be how we loved others. Even when we are hurt or disappointed by people, especially in the church, the answer is always to return to love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, trusting the Spirit to empower us. [20:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - The Many Faces of “Love” in Culture
[03:12] - The Four Greek Words for Love
[04:33] - Context: 1 Corinthians and Spiritual Gifts
[06:01] - Love is Superior to All Things
[07:36] - The Futility of Loveless Actions
[09:16] - Love is a Verb, Not a Feeling
[10:09] - The Qualities of Love
[11:06] - Knowing God Through Love
[12:09] - Becoming Like Jesus in Love
[14:10] - Jesus’ New Commandment: Love as Servanthood
[14:43] - The Mark of a True Disciple
[15:59] - Loving Difficult People Through the Spirit
[17:20] - Healing Church Hurt with Love
[19:09] - Love is Eternal: Faith, Hope, and Love
[20:29] - Love as Our Lasting Legacy
[21:51] - Love in Marriage, Family, and Friendship
[23:10] - Loving Enemies and Breaking Down Walls
[24:12] - The Necessity of Forgiveness in Community
[25:54] - Praying for the Strength to Love
[26:35] - The Hope of Being Transformed by Love
[32:47] - Blessing and Benediction
[33:35] - Closing and Farewell

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Foundation and Practice of Love

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### Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Corinthians 13, what are some things that are considered empty or meaningless if they are done without love?
[[06:01]]

2. How does Paul describe the qualities of love in verses 4-7? List as many as you can find.
[[10:09]]

3. In John 13:34-35, what does Jesus say will be the defining mark of his disciples?

4. The sermon mentioned four Greek words for love. What are they, and how is agape different from the others?
[[03:12]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul places such a strong emphasis on love being superior to spiritual gifts, knowledge, or even faith? What does this say about the priorities of the Christian life?
[[06:01]]

2. The sermon says that love is a verb, not just a feeling. What does it mean for love to be a choice and an action, especially when dealing with difficult people?
[[09:16]]

3. Jesus washed the feet of all his disciples, including Judas who would betray him. What does this teach us about the kind of love Jesus calls us to show?
[[14:10]]

4. The sermon talks about love being eternal, outlasting even faith and hope. Why is love described as our lasting legacy?
[[20:29]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to examine whether our love is rooted in God’s character or just our own desires. Think about a relationship in your life—how can you tell if your love is self-serving or truly others-centered?
[[03:12]]

2. Paul says that even the most impressive spiritual gifts or acts of generosity are empty without love. Are there areas in your life where you might be “doing the right thing” but missing the heart of love? What would it look like to change that?
[[06:01]]

3. Love is described as patient, kind, not irritable, and forgiving. Which of these qualities is hardest for you to practice right now, and why? What is one step you could take this week to grow in that area?
[[10:09]]

4. The sermon encouraged us to “put our name” in place of the word “love” in 1 Corinthians 13. Try this exercise for yourself. What stands out to you? Where do you see room for growth?
[[12:09]]

5. Jesus said the world would know his followers by their love for one another. How does this challenge the way you interact with people in your church, family, or workplace? Is there a specific relationship where you need to show more humility or servanthood?
[[14:43]]

6. The pastor talked about loving people who are difficult, even those who have hurt us in the church. Is there someone you need to forgive or show patience toward? What is one practical way you can move toward reconciliation?
[[17:20]]

7. Love is the best use of our lives and will be our legacy. When you think about how you want to be remembered, what role does love play? Are there changes you want to make in your priorities or daily actions to reflect this?
[[20:29]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to fill you with his agape love, to help you love those who are difficult, and to make love the foundation of all your relationships.

Devotional

Day 1: Love is Superior to All Things
Agape love is the foundation and the most important quality in the Christian life, surpassing spiritual gifts, knowledge, faith, and even good works; without love, all other pursuits are empty and meaningless. The call is to remember that love is not just a feeling or an accessory to faith, but the very essence that gives value to everything we do, and it is the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Jesus. [07:40]

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been prioritizing gifts, knowledge, or achievement over loving others, and how can you intentionally put love first in that area today?


Day 2: Love is a Verb—Love in Action
Love is not merely a feeling or emotion, but a choice and an action; it is demonstrated through patience, kindness, forgiveness, and enduring hope, even toward those who are difficult to love. True love is seen in what we do, not just what we feel, and we are called to actively choose love, especially when it is hard, trusting that God’s Spirit empowers us to love as He does. [12:09]

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Reflection: Who is one person you find difficult to love right now, and what is one specific action you can take today to show them Christlike love?


Day 3: The Mark of a Disciple—Loving as Jesus Loved
The defining characteristic of a disciple of Jesus is self-sacrificing love, modeled after Christ’s own example of humble service, even to those who betray or hurt us; this love is what sets believers apart and reveals Jesus to the world. Our marriages, families, friendships, and church communities are to be marked by this kind of love, which prefers others and seeks unity above being right or getting our way. [14:10]

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Reflection: What is one way you can humbly serve someone in your family, workplace, or church this week, following Jesus’ example of self-sacrificing love?


Day 4: Love is Eternal—The Greatest of All
While spiritual gifts, knowledge, and even faith and hope are temporary, love is eternal and will outlast everything else; it is the legacy we leave behind and the best use of our lives, as we were created by love to love. In the age to come, faith will become sight and hope will be fulfilled, but love will remain, and how we love others is what will truly endure. [20:29]

1 Corinthians 13:8, 12-13 (ESV)
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. … For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Reflection: What is one way you want your love for others to be remembered, and what step can you take today to build that legacy?


Day 5: Bathe in the Love of God—Becoming Like Him
The more we immerse ourselves in the love God has lavished on us as His children, the more we are transformed to be like Jesus, reflecting His love to the world; this is the source of our hope and purity as we await seeing Him face to face. As we receive and rest in God’s love, we are empowered to love others, even those who are difficult, and to live in peace as far as it depends on us. [26:35]

1 John 3:1-3 (ESV)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Reflection: How can you intentionally spend time today “bathing” in God’s love—through prayer, worship, or Scripture—so that you are filled and able to love others more like Jesus?

Quotes

Some people say that your beliefs, your doctrine, your theology is the superior thing. But Paul says that if I have knowledge of all things, if I have great theology, but I don't have love, I'm nothing. Some people would say faith is the most important distinguishing factor for a Christian. But Paul says if I have mountain-moving faith, but I don't have love, it doesn't mean anything. [00:08:00] (32 seconds)  #LoveIsMoreThanKnowledge Edit Clip

Don't ever forget this. Love is not like. Do you know you can not like somebody and still love them? I'm sure that's true of all of us, right? Like is a feeling, it's an emotion that's up and down. Love is what we do, it's in action. And maybe most importantly, love's a choice. We can choose to love difficult people. We can choose to love people that are hostile with us. [00:09:48] (28 seconds)  #LoveIsAChoice Edit Clip

Being a disciple of Jesus, the mark of being a disciple of Jesus is not how eloquent we pray. It's not how much scripture we memorize. It's not how enthusiastic we are in worship. As important as those things are, the mark of a believer is love. [00:14:43] (19 seconds)  #LoveIsTheMark Edit Clip

Don't depend upon your own strength to love difficult people. Because ask yourself the question, does Jesus love this person? Does the Holy Spirit love this person? Well, the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you and I. And through his strength, he will produce the fruit of love towards difficult people in your life. [00:16:09] (23 seconds)  #StrengthToLoveDifficultPeople Edit Clip

You were created by a God who is love. You were created by love. I don't know who needs to hear this, but maybe your parents didn't plan you. God did. God did. He doesn't get caught off guard. Oops, didn't know he was going to come into existence. He's not caught off guard. You were created by love to love. [00:20:09] (23 seconds)  #CreatedByLove Edit Clip

How we love will be the legacy each one of us leaves behind. How we love. Our love for others is going to outlive your life, your career, your house, your homes, whatever thing you can put in there. Your love for people is what will last. Love is the best use of all of our lives. [00:20:45] (28 seconds)  #LoveIsOurLegacy Edit Clip

For Jesus, love was defined by loving your enemy. Loving someone who's hostile with you. That's hard. I think that might be the most difficult thing Jesus said for his followers is to love your enemies, bless them, pray for them. Sometimes like, Jesus, I don't want to do that. But again, the Spirit of God lives in us so we can find the strength through him to love people who are hostile with us. [00:22:45] (38 seconds)  #LoveYourEnemies Edit Clip