Embracing Agape Love: The Heartbeat of Our Faith

There is a movement of God happening all around us—on college campuses, in our city, in everyday places like barber shops, and even here among us. The love of Christ is drawing people to Himself, and we are invited to be part of this movement. This is not just about excitement or numbers; it’s about the very heartbeat of our life together as a church: love. Love is not a fleeting feeling or a mere action; it is the self-giving, sacrificial agape love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ. This love is indispensable to our mission and to our life as a family of families.

The world is filled with division, outrage, and loveless communication. Even within the church, we can be tempted to elevate gifts, eloquence, or acts of charity above love. But without love, all of these things are empty. The love described in 1 Corinthians 13 is not about romance or even just friendship—it is about the kind of love that lays down its life for others. This love excels above all gifts and actions because it is the very nature of God Himself.

Love is patient and kind. It is not envious, boastful, proud, or self-seeking. It does not keep a record of wrongs or delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. This kind of love is not natural to us; it is the result of experiencing the cross and resurrection of Jesus. When we die to ourselves and allow Christ to live in us, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to love in ways we never could on our own. This love covers, protects, trusts, hopes, and endures all things. It does not give up on people, even when it would be easier to walk away.

Love is not about turning a blind eye to sin or pretending everything is fine. Sometimes love means having hard conversations, setting boundaries, and seeking restoration. But love always keeps the door open for repentance and reconciliation. No one is a lost cause. Jesus Himself is the perfect embodiment of this love—He is patient, kind, and keeps no record of wrongs. As we fix our eyes on Him, we are transformed to become more like Him.

Now is the time to begin. Not yesterday, not tomorrow—now. Let us humble ourselves, receive God’s mercy and grace, and choose to walk in the way of love. This is the movement we are called to join, and love—Jesus Himself—is at the center of it all.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Love is the Essential Foundation No matter how gifted, eloquent, or generous we may be, without love, our efforts are empty. The world is full of impressive words and actions, but what sets apart the people of God is a love that surpasses all gifts and abilities. This love is not optional; it is the very foundation of our life together and our witness to the world. [05:22]
• 2. Agape Love is Sacrificial and Transformative The love described in 1 Corinthians 13 is agape—God’s self-giving, sacrificial love. It is not based on feelings or convenience, but on a willingness to lay down one’s life for others. When we encounter Christ and His love, we are transformed from the inside out, gaining a new capacity to love even those we once found difficult or impossible to love. [07:34]
• 3. Love is Spirit-Empowered, Not Self-Generated Patience, kindness, and rejoicing in the truth are not natural to us; they are the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. We cannot manufacture agape love by sheer willpower. Instead, as we die to ourselves and experience the power of the cross and resurrection, Christ’s life is released in us, enabling us to love in supernatural ways. [22:19]
• 4. Love Protects, Trusts, Hopes, and Perseveres True love is not naive or enabling, but it does cover, protect, and keep the door open for restoration. It is willing to forgive again and again, to hope for the best in others, and to endure through pain and disappointment. This is the kind of love that Jesus shows us, and it is the love we are called to extend to others, even when it is costly. [28:18]
• 5. Love is Now—Begin Today The call to love is not for some distant future or for when we feel ready. The invitation is to begin now, in this moment, with the people God has placed in our lives. As we humble ourselves and receive God’s mercy, we can say, “Now I begin”—trusting that Christ will empower us to walk in the way of love, no matter our past failures or present struggles. [37:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Stories of God Moving in Our City
• [02:04] - Encouragement for Those Praying for Loved Ones
• [04:15] - The Spiritual Battle and the Call to Love
• [05:22] - Love is the Greatest
• [06:25] - The Four Loves and Agape Defined
• [07:34] - 1 Corinthians 13: Love in the Church
• [08:37] - Love Excels Beyond Gifts and Actions
• [11:38] - Addressing Division and Lovelessness
• [13:20] - The Real Test: Are We Marked by Love?
• [15:06] - Charity Without Love Falls Short
• [22:19] - Love is Spirit-Empowered, Not Self-Produced
• [24:56] - Patience and Kindness in a Divided World
• [27:37] - Rejoicing with the Truth
• [28:18] - Love Protects, Trusts, Hopes, Perseveres
• [37:56] - Love is Now: Begin Today
• [41:53] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13 (NIV) — 1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
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.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
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.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Corinthians 13, what are some things that can look impressive on the outside but are empty without love? (see [08:37])
2. How does Paul describe the characteristics of love in verses 4-7? List both the positive and negative traits. (see [08:37])
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of God moving in unexpected places and drawing people to Himself? (see [01:00])
4. What does the passage say about the endurance and perseverance of love? (see [28:18])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul say that even the most spiritual gifts or acts of charity are “nothing” without love? What does this reveal about God’s priorities for His people? (see [08:37])
2. The sermon mentions that agape love is not just a feeling or action, but God’s very nature. How does this understanding of love challenge common ideas about what it means to love others? (see [06:25])
3. The pastor said that love is “Spirit-empowered, not self-generated.” What does it look like in real life to rely on the Holy Spirit to love others, especially when it’s hard? (see [22:19])
4. How does the call to “begin now” with love (not yesterday, not tomorrow) change the way we think about following Jesus and loving others? (see [37:56])

Application Questions

1. The sermon described a world full of division, outrage, and loveless communication—even within the church. Where do you see this most clearly in your own life or community? How might God be inviting you to respond differently? (see [04:15])
2. Think of a relationship or situation where it would be easier to walk away or give up. What would it look like to “bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things” in that context? (see [28:18])
3. The pastor shared a story about someone who was transformed by encountering Christ’s love and became able to express love in new ways. Is there an area in your life where you need God’s transforming love to help you love someone who is difficult for you? (see [22:19])
4. Love sometimes means having hard conversations, setting boundaries, or seeking restoration. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to take a loving but difficult step? What would it look like to keep the door open for repentance and reconciliation? (see [28:18])
5. The message emphasized that love is not about ignoring sin or pretending everything is fine. How can you balance speaking the truth in love with being patient and kind? (see [27:37])
6. The call to love is for “now”—not when you feel ready or when it’s convenient. What is one specific way you can choose to walk in love this week, starting today? (see [37:56])
7. The pastor encouraged us to humble ourselves and receive God’s mercy and grace as we begin to love. Is there an area where you need to ask God for help or forgiveness so you can love others more like Jesus? (see [41:53])