THE POWER OF LOVE

THE POWER OF LOVE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Supporting Texts: John 13:34-35, Romans 13:10, Colossians 3:14, 1 John 4:7-8, Matthew 22:37-39

Description:
This message highlights that love is the greatest virtue and the very foundation of the Christian faith. Without love, every gift, service, and sacrifice becomes empty. Love is the true mark of a believer and the key to fulfilling God’s will on earth.

INTRODUCTION:
Love is the essence of God’s nature, for the Bible tells us that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Everything about the Christian life flows from the wellspring of love. Faith without love is meaningless, and service without love is empty. Love is what makes the gospel alive and attractive.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 reveals that love is superior to gifts, prophecies, knowledge, and even faith that can move mountains. Love is the glue that binds all virtues together, making them effective and fruitful. Without love, we are nothing in the eyes of God, no matter how gifted or accomplished we may appear.

Therefore, every believer must pursue love above all else, because it is the fulfilment of the law, the reflection of Christ, and the pathway to eternity.

1. LOVE IS GREATER THAN SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Love is superior to every gift and calling because it gives meaning and value to them.

a) The supremacy of love over tongues
Speaking in tongues without love is empty noise (1 Corinthians 13:1).

b) The inadequacy of prophecy without love
Prophecy and knowledge are powerless if love is absent (1 Corinthians 13:2).

c) Faith without love is incomplete
Even great faith that moves mountains is useless without love (Galatians 5:6).

d) Sacrifice without love is unprofitable
Giving all possessions or even one’s life is nothing without love (1 Corinthians 13:3).

Biblical Example: Simon the Sorcerer desired spiritual gifts but lacked love (Acts 8:18-21).

2. LOVE IS THE CHARACTER OF GOD
To walk in love is to reflect the very nature of God, because love is His essence.

a) God Himself is love
Love is not just what God does but who He is (1 John 4:8).

b) Love reveals our sonship
Walking in love proves that we are born of God (1 John 4:7).

c) Love is the fulfilment of the law
Every commandment is summed up in loving God and neighbour (Romans 13:10).

d) Love perfects our relationship with God
Loving others is evidence that God’s love is perfected in us (1 John 4:12).

Biblical Example: The Good Samaritan showed the love of God beyond boundaries (Luke 10:33-35).

3. LOVE TRANSFORMS CHARACTER AND RELATIONSHIPS
Love changes how we relate with others and makes us Christlike in character.

a) Love is patient and kind
It is not jealous, boastful, or proud (1 Corinthians 13:4).

b) Love does not behave rudely
It seeks the good of others and not its own (1 Corinthians 13:5).

c) Love forgives and does not keep records of wrongs
It does not rejoice in evil but delights in truth (1 Corinthians 13:6).

d) Love endures all things
It believes, hopes, and never fails (1 Corinthians 13:7-8).

Biblical Example: Joseph forgave his brothers out of love despite their wickedness (Genesis 45:4-8).

4. LOVE IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
The command to love is the highest of all commandments given by God.

a) Loving God is the first and greatest commandment
We must love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38).

b) Loving others is the second commandment
We must love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

c) Love is the sign of discipleship
By love, all men will know we belong to Christ (John 13:34-35).

d) Love binds everything together
Love is the bond of perfection that unites believers (Colossians 3:14).

Biblical Example: Jesus demonstrated love by washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:4-5).

5. LOVE IS ETERNAL
Love endures forever, beyond this life and into eternity.

a) Spiritual gifts are temporary
Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will cease (1 Corinthians 13:8).

b) Love never fails
It remains constant in all situations (1 Corinthians 13:8).

c) Love is perfected in eternity
What we know in part will be complete when we see Christ face to face (1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12).

d) Love is greater than faith and hope
Of faith, hope, and love, the greatest is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Biblical Example: God’s everlasting love for Israel despite their failures (Jeremiah 31:3).

CONCLUSION:
Love is the heartbeat of the Christian faith. Without it, everything else collapses. Love is greater than gifts, deeper than knowledge, and stronger than faith. It reflects God’s nature, transforms relationships, and will remain forever. Therefore, let us choose to walk in love daily, for it is the most excellent way.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, baptise me with the spirit of love.
2. Father, let Your love flow through me to others.
3. Lord, help me to walk in love in all my relationships.
4. Father, uproot hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness from my heart.
5. Lord, let my life reflect Your love at all times.
6. Father, help me to love even those who hate or persecute me.
7. Lord, let love be the foundation of all my service to You.
8. Father, give me grace to obey the greatest commandment of love.
9. Lord, let Your love bind the Church together in unity.
10. Father, let my love for You grow deeper daily.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. You will walk in the fullness of God’s love!
2. The love of God will overflow in your heart!
3. Every root of hatred and bitterness in your life is uprooted!
4. Your relationships will be transformed by love!
5. You will experience the power of love in your family!
6. The love of God will perfect all that concerns you!
7. You will be known as a vessel of God’s love!
8. God’s love will distinguish you among men!
9. The love of Christ will shield you from every attack of the enemy!
10. You will remain rooted and grounded in love till the end!