Only Love Lasts Forever

1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Introduction: The Bible says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Faith and hope will be completed when we go to heaven, but love will forever remain on this earth, because God is love.

1. Love is a fundamental element of life.
1) When we do not receive love, our hearts will become empty, and we will try to fill that emptiness with the sins of the world.
2) People who were raised without love. ?
① They are hostile to and distrustful of the world.
② They consider it difficult to feel sympathetic or relate to others.
③ They do not know how to love others.
④ They do not know true happiness.
3) People who were raised with love.
① They are broad-minded.
② They have a positive attitude toward life.
③ They love their neighbors.
④ They know what true happiness is (Eph 5:1-2).

2. Are you being loved now?
- Everyone wants to be loved and acknowledged by others. Love with a condition attached is not love.
1) Love between a husband and a wife (Col 3:18-19).
① A mother-like wife, a father-like husband.
② A tutor-like wife, an elementary principal-like father.
③ An irritable wife and a discontent husband.
④ A liberal wife and an irresponsible husband.
⑤ A stone-like wife and a mute-like husband.
2) Love for children.
① Hug them as much as you can.
② Compliment them (a schoolgirl with a big pimple on her nose).
③ Acknowledge them and do not ignore them (Eph 6:4).
④ Be their friend.
3) Love for neighbors.
① Cover their faults (1Pe 4:8; Pr 10:12).
② Help them when they are in need (1Jn 3:17-18).
③ Always have positive fellowship with them (Ro 15:2).
④ Greet them with a warm welcome (Ro 12:15-16).
⑤ Give thanks and credit for the good things they have done (Heb 10:24).

Conclusion: Love is at the root of everything. When the resurrected Jesus was having breakfast with His disciples by the Sea of Galilee, He asked Peter a fundamental question
(Jn 21:15-17).
a) “Simon son of John, do you truly love me (agape love) more than these?”
Yes, Lord, you know that I love you (phileo love). "Feed my lambs."
b) “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
Yes, Lord, you know that I love you (phileo love). "Take care of my sheep."
c) "Simon son of John, do you love me (phileo love)?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?"
He said, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you (phileo love).

Love is what binds us to the calling and keeps us devoted to everything.