Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 Gate City Message Notes LOVE AND OTHERS Love And … - Part 1 4/27/25 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. 1 Corinthians 13:1–8 ESV But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:34–40 ESV Love ἀγάπη (agapaó) Usage: Agapé is a term used in the New Testament to describe a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. It is the highest form of love, often associated with the love of God for humanity and the love that believers are called to have for one another. Unlike other Greek words for love, such as "eros" (romantic love) or "philia" (brotherly love), agapé is not based on emotions or feelings but is an act of the will, characterized by a commitment to the well-being of others. Love (Friendship) - φιλία (philia) Usage: In the New Testament, "philia" refers to the love or affection shared between friends. It is a type of love characterized by mutual respect, shared interests, and companionship. Unlike "agape," which is often used to describe unconditional, selfless love, "philiab bc" is more about reciprocal relationships and emotional bonds Love (family) Storge Usage: While not directly used in the NT, this word for love was common in the language at the time. This noun refers to the natural or instinctual affection between family members, particularly the love of parents for their children and vice versa. Love (devoted)- φιλόστοργος (philostorgos) Usage:The term "philostorgos" is used to describe a type of love that is characterized by deep, familial affection. It implies a natural, instinctive love that one might have for family members. In the context of the New Testament, it is used to encourage believers to exhibit this kind of love towards one another within the body of Christ, reflecting the close-knit, supportive relationships that should exist among Christians. Love (feelings) -ἔρως (eros) Usage: Not directly found in the New Testament, so it doesn’t have a Strong’s number attached to it in the NT Greek, Eros is romantic, passionate love. The idea is biblically present (like in Song of Solomon), but the word eros itself doesn’t show up in the NT Greek texts. What is Love? LOVE- is the overwhelming concern for the wellbeing of another without regard as to what you get in return Love is a CHOICE Love is an ACTION Love is OUTWARD focused Love is about the BEST for the other person Love requires SACRIFICE Love is a form of WORSHIP directed towards God Love is OBEDIENCE Love doesn’t get to take time off - it is a WAY OF LIFE Love is our means of Growth Love is the means by which Christians Grow Love put into action transforms all involved planting and watering seeds and growing the individual through obedience to Gods command Surrender to the Holy Spirit in you Trust the voice of the Spirit in you giving you power and ability to love Rely on Gods power not your own Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. You never fail when in obedience you show, share, and give love to others. Choose to Love regardless of the external? Remember love is an act of obedience so ultimately every act of love is between you and God "We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 ESV “I have been crucified with Christ and its no longer I who live. Galatians 2:20 ESV