Sabbath School Lesson 7 Summary – A Portrait of Love | Q3 2026

SPEAKER A00:00:01 - 00:00:59 Hello, I'm Kaysie Vokurka. Welcome to Let God Speak. There is a gift that God gives his people more important than knowledge, greater than faith, and more enduring than hope. Our Sabbath School lesson study this week focuses on the spiritual gift of love. Today we'll discuss why love is the greatest gift of all and how it transforms our homes, our churches, And our hearts. On our panel today, we have Carissa van Deventer, And Alfredo Campos. Welcome to the program. SPEAKER B00:00:59 - 00:00:59 Thank you. SPEAKER C00:00:59 - 00:01:00 Thank you. SPEAKER A00:01:00 - 00:01:22 Let's have a word of prayer before we go into our topic. Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for the opportunity to study again in your word, and we look forward to what you can bring to our minds today through your word that are lessons for our hearts. And so we invite your Holy Spirit to guide us now, in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. SPEAKER B00:01:22 - 00:01:22 Amen. SPEAKER C00:01:22 - 00:01:23 Amen. SPEAKER A00:01:24 - 00:02:12 Now, the world portrays love as an emotion, a feeling, but the Bible presents love as a principle of self-sacrificing action. It was perfectly demonstrated in the life and death of Jesus Christ. Without this love, even the greatest achievements amount to nothing. 1 Corinthians 13 reveals that this true love is the very character of God reproduced in the life of the believer. Now, the word love in English, we've talked about how it's often associated with a feeling and an emotion, but it has many different meanings. However, in the New Testament, it wasn't— the New Testament wasn't written in English, it was written in Greek. So what were the main Greek words, Carissa, that were translated as love? SPEAKER C00:02:12 - 00:02:39 Yeah, the main Greek words translated as love was agape and phileo love. And agape is the noun and agapeo is the verb, and they were the most common words central for love throughout the New Testament. It refers to the unconditional, sacrificial, and willful love of God for us. And we see agape 9 times mentioned throughout 1 Corinthians 13. SPEAKER A00:02:39 - 00:02:40 Hmm. SPEAKER C00:02:40 - 00:03:01 The other term, phileo, which is a verb, and philia, the related forms, refers to more affectionate and brotherly love. And we see this term referred to in passages like Romans 12:10 and Hebrews 13:1, and it's translated as a love but also as a friendship. SPEAKER A00:03:01 - 00:03:41 Okay, well, that's very good background knowledge to, to keep in mind as we read through this passage, especially with it being mentioned so much in 1 Corinthians 13. So let's have a read of the first couple of verses. 1 Corinthians 13, verse 1 and 2, which says, though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Alfredo, what does this mean? SPEAKER B00:03:41 - 00:03:58 Well, Paul is teaching us that our gifts are valuable only when they are motivated by love. Without love, even eloquent speech becomes just an empty noise. SPEAKER C00:03:58 - 00:03:59 Hmm. SPEAKER B00:03:59 - 00:04:20 Spiritual power without Christlike character has no value before God. God measures us not by our abilities, but by the love that we express and motivates us to do things for others. SPEAKER A00:04:20 - 00:04:32 Beautiful. Yeah, it's important to understand that, isn't it? That the motivation behind what we do is what God really looks at. It's what really counts, isn't it? SPEAKER B00:04:32 - 00:04:32 That's right. SPEAKER A00:04:32 - 00:04:42 Great. Okay, so we see a world today that doesn't seem to have much love. What does Jesus say about love in the last days, Carissa? SPEAKER C00:04:42 - 00:05:06 In the last days, Jesus warned that there would be a chilling of love, human affection, and also spiritual devotion. And we read about this in Matthew 24:12. It says, and because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. And so it's so necessary to have and to maintain a connection with Christ for our love to remain warm and active. SPEAKER A00:05:07 - 00:05:19 Yeah, that is important, isn't it? Especially when Christ is the source of love. Okay, so Alfredo, how does God produce this kind of love that we are talking about in our hearts? SPEAKER B00:05:19 - 00:05:54 Well, this love is not generated by any human effort. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we surrender to Jesus Christ, Then the Holy Spirit dwells in us, changing us, and then his character is reproduced in us. Let me read from Galatians 5:22, and it says, but the fruit of the Spirit is love. SPEAKER A00:05:54 - 00:05:54 Um-hmm. SPEAKER B00:05:54 - 00:06:06 It is joy, peace, long-suffering, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, even including gentleness and self-control. SPEAKER A00:06:06 - 00:06:12 Beautiful. So we need the Holy Spirit, don't we, to be filled with that? SPEAKER B00:06:12 - 00:06:12 Indeed. SPEAKER A00:06:12 - 00:07:13 That love that we're talking about. Okay, let's have a little bit more of a reading from 1 Corinthians 13. We're going to look from verse 4 now, verse 4 to 7. It says, love suffers long and is kind, Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Now that's a very content-rich section, isn't it? So we're gonna unpack it bit by bit. And in these 4 texts, it's saying that there are things that love does and there are things that love does not do. So we're going to start with, first of all, looking at what love is not. And Carissa, what does it mean that love does not envy? SPEAKER C00:07:13 - 00:07:46 A loving person with a loving character often rejoices in the blessings of others and does not resent them. We see that envy divides people, but Love unites. And we see in Romans 12:14-16, bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. SPEAKER A00:07:46 - 00:08:00 Okay, very good. Now, it also mentioned here about Love, not boasting and not being proud. So tell us a bit more about that, Alfredo. What does that mean? SPEAKER B00:08:00 - 00:08:35 Well, love does not seek attention or elevate us over other people. It puts other people first. True love reflects humility, That one that Jesus is showing us. And the Corinthians, they were struggling with pride, division, and competition about who was— who got the best gifts. SPEAKER A00:08:35 - 00:08:37 Mmm. SPEAKER B00:08:37 - 00:09:08 And so Paul calls them to a higher standard of love. Not to this competition. Philippians 2:3 says, let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in loveliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself. That is amazing, isn't it? SPEAKER A00:09:08 - 00:09:12 Absolutely. Yeah, that's such a good A good motive to cherish, isn't it? SPEAKER B00:09:12 - 00:09:13 That's right. SPEAKER A00:09:13 - 00:09:33 Helps us to learn how to think in a loving way, doesn't it? These, these principles. Well, in verse 5, it said something in 1 Corinthians 13. It says that love does not behave rudely. So how, Carissa, how does love refine and ennoble our behavior? SPEAKER C00:09:33 - 00:10:15 So when we have a loving behavior, we don't have poor manners and are insensitive to the needs of those around us, but it actually changes our character and we become respectful of others. We seek the good in others rather than being self-focused and focusing on ourselves and our personal rights. And it makes us more self-controlled like Jesus, and we become cautious and considerate. And we see a beautiful example of this politeness and this character of Jesus in Revelation 3:20, which says, behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with me. SPEAKER A00:10:15 - 00:10:42 That's a beautiful word picture, isn't it? Because, yeah, the politeness, you know, obviously Christ, you know, he's the creator of all. Anyone, you know, he would have the right to come to any of us creatures. But he respects us individually, and that's a beautiful picture of that politeness. So that's a great lesson. Now, what does it mean that love does not seek its own, Alfredo? SPEAKER B00:10:42 - 00:11:21 Well, let me read Philippians from chapter 2, verses 4 and 5, and it says, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider himself robbery to be equal with God. And it's interesting that in verse 4 says, let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but for the interest of others. SPEAKER A00:11:21 - 00:11:21 Hmm. SPEAKER B00:11:22 - 00:11:42 So Jesus is our example of what it means not to seek our own things, but the good of others. Jesus denied himself when he came down from heaven to this earth, and it's in this scale that we cannot even imagine. SPEAKER A00:11:42 - 00:11:42 Yes. SPEAKER B00:11:42 - 00:12:04 So it goes beyond our imagination. Jesus, while he was on this earth, he was constantly looking for the good and uplifting others, healing others, loving others. And I think that is what we should also aim. SPEAKER A00:12:04 - 00:12:47 Absolutely. He really had that, that concern for others, that almost altruistic sort of mindset, didn't he? He really exemplified it in an incredible way. So, yeah. Yeah, it's good to have Him as have Christ as the benchmark for this these kind of motives. All right, so Carissa, now we're going to switch gears and we are going to have a look at what love actually is. We've been looking at what it is not, and we're going to contrast now and and look what actually is love. And so in in verse four, it says. It talks about love being patient and kind. What does that mean? SPEAKER C00:12:47 - 00:13:17 It basically means that, you know, when you're tested in the fire, that you're not responding with irritation and frustration. And we see that this is exactly how God treats us. He treats us with patience. And we see this in Ephesians 4:32, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Even as God in Christ forgave you, and so this means to be goodwill, to be considerate and helpful and forgiving towards one another. SPEAKER A00:13:18 - 00:13:40 Beautiful. Yes, it's usually when we have stresses and tensions that the true character comes out, and we we realize that we need to be more patient and kind. So yeah, that's a good reminder. Now, what does Why, sorry, does love rejoice in the truth rather than evil, Alfredo? SPEAKER B00:13:40 - 00:13:59 Love never delights in sin, not in gossip or in the failure of other people. Instead, it celebrates and rejoices with the success of other people. SPEAKER A00:14:01 - 00:14:02 Mm-hmm. SPEAKER B00:14:02 - 00:14:06 Let me read from Philippians 4:8. SPEAKER A00:14:06 - 00:14:06 Mm-hmm. SPEAKER B00:14:06 - 00:14:42 And it says, finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. Love, it will always look for the good in others. SPEAKER A00:14:42 - 00:15:03 Beautiful. And that text is such a precious one because it gives us the criteria, doesn't it, for us to really set our focus on. So that's, that's excellent. Now, um, Paul, what does he mean when he says that love bears all things? Carissa? SPEAKER C00:15:03 - 00:15:23 We see that love protects and supports others even when relationships go through difficult patches, and it doesn't give up in the first sign of difficulty. 1 Peter 4:8 says, and above all things have fervent love for one another For love will cover a multitude of sins. SPEAKER A00:15:23 - 00:15:53 Oh, we need so much more of that kind of love today, don't we? Love that will carry us through the ups and downs and, um, and especially help us with working with one another. You know, we all make mistakes and get into different spots, and, and, um, so that, that will really help us. Now, further in verse 7, it's— Paul says, uh, that love Believes all things and hopes all things. Now, Alfredo, what does he mean by this? SPEAKER B00:15:53 - 00:16:34 Love chooses to trust God and to look for the best in others. Love is choosing to remain hopeful and steadfast even through disappointments and hardships. Romans 5:5 says, now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. SPEAKER A00:16:36 - 00:17:05 And that's a really good verse because it's— the context of it is talking about how Through troubles and trials, we learn perseverance and then hope, and then the hope is what can help us through these things. So, yeah, so it's all interconnected, isn't it? These principles that we're looking at today. Now, the last point there in verse 7 talks about love enduring all things. How important, Carissa, is it that love endures? SPEAKER C00:17:05 - 00:17:33 It's necessary that love is a principle in our life and is not just relying on emotions. Because we know that emotions can come and go, and it needs to be stable during hardship. And so love endures by believing and hoping, and it's a daily choice to be self-sacrificing, to be selfless, to be forgiving. And it's the kind of love that God demonstrates to us time and time again that never fails. SPEAKER A00:17:33 - 00:17:57 Beautiful. That is That's so, so true that love can cut through all the ups and downs in our emotions. Now, the next verse in chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians says, love never fails. Love never fails. What does this promise mean, Alfredo? SPEAKER B00:17:57 - 00:18:21 Well, human abilities and spiritual gifts All these things are temporary, but love is eternal. Love will continue throughout eternity because it reflects the unchanging character of God. SPEAKER A00:18:21 - 00:18:22 Hmm. SPEAKER B00:18:22 - 00:18:40 Psalm 36, verse 1 comes to my mind, and it says, oh, Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy, His love endures forever. SPEAKER A00:18:42 - 00:18:55 That's very interesting because, of course, we know that God is eternal, and if He is the source of love and love is representative of His character, then we know, of course, that love will not fail because God is not going to fail. SPEAKER B00:18:55 - 00:18:56 That's right. SPEAKER A00:18:56 - 00:19:17 It's all connected, isn't it, with, with God and who He is? So that's beautiful. Now, as the, the verse continues, it talks about the gifts of prophecy and tongues. Now, why will spiritual gifts such as prophecy and tongues eventually cease, Carissa? SPEAKER C00:19:17 - 00:19:43 We see that these gifts are given to strangers strengthen the church during our present imperfection. And we see God face to face— when we see Him face to face, these things will no longer be needed. We look at 1 Corinthians 13:10, but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. SPEAKER A00:19:43 - 00:20:19 Okay, so they, they exist for a specific purpose for us right now in our sinful condition. And once we reach Heaven, things will be different. We won't need those things in the same way. So, that's very clear. Now, in summary of these characteristics which we've been talking about, Alfredo, how does Jesus Christ reveal the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 And why does the Bible say that God is love? SPEAKER B00:20:19 - 00:20:50 Love is not merely something that God does. Love is the essence of his character. He is love. We read in 1 John 4:8 that says, He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. SPEAKER A00:20:50 - 00:20:50 Hmm. SPEAKER B00:20:50 - 00:21:17 It's the very essence. So everything that he does flows from this love, from this perfect love, all this love that never changes. Is still with us right now, so we can have this assurance that we can have this amazing relationship with Him right now because He is love. SPEAKER A00:21:17 - 00:21:23 Excellent. Carissa, have you got anything to add to that one? SPEAKER C00:21:23 - 00:21:54 Yeah, we see that every quality of life has been seen in the life of Jesus, and He was kind to sinners. He was kind, suffering, and willing to sacrifice Himself for the world that was inside such a sinful position, and He gave His entire life to serve others. We read in 1 John 3:16, by this we know love, because He laid down His life for us, and we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. SPEAKER A00:21:54 - 00:23:09 Very good text. And, um, yeah, Jesus' life You know, we spent quite a bit of time earlier looking at those principles of love in 1 Corinthians 13 and all the descriptions of what it is like. And then as we go and look at Christ, who is the example of God's character, you know, He was sent to show us what God is like, we see all these attributes, don't we, all throughout His life in such an incredible way. And it's so helpful for us because sometimes— Sometimes principles don't have as much meaning until we see them in an example form, and Christ has given that to us. So that's really precious, and so thank you for sharing that. Now, in verse in first Corinthians thirteen, how towards the end now, we see that in verse thirteen, the last part of the chapter, it says, "And now abide." Faith, hope, love— these 3, but the greatest of these is love. Now, question for you, Carissa, again: why is love greater than faith or hope? SPEAKER C00:23:09 - 00:23:36 We see that love fully reflects the character of God, and even though faith and hope are essential and necessary, love is our foundation and the goal of every Christian. 1 John 4:16 says, and we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. SPEAKER A00:23:36 - 00:23:56 Excellent, very good. So yes, we must have that living connection with God, don't we, in order to have this This love is a foundation in our life. So, what will happen, Alfredo, to faith and hope when Jesus returns? SPEAKER B00:23:56 - 00:24:22 Well, let me read 2 Corinthians 5:7. It says, for we walk By faith, not by sight. So definitely, this is our experience right now. SPEAKER A00:24:22 - 00:24:23 Hmm. SPEAKER B00:24:23 - 00:24:30 But when he comes, then faith will become a reality. SPEAKER A00:24:30 - 00:24:31 Hmm. SPEAKER B00:24:31 - 00:24:50 Hope will be fulfilled. These expectations, it will become a reality. And yeah, it's like this love will be real and will continue throughout eternity as well. SPEAKER A00:24:50 - 00:25:41 Definitely. And it's interesting you said about, you know, faith is not— and what we hope for, it's not something that we see fully right now. It's something we'll see fully later. And it's very interesting And just a bit before in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul has that example illustration with the mirror. He says, for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then shall I know just as I also am known. So, he's talking about this experience we have here where, you know, we hope for things in the future that have been promised us, but they're not the full reality right now. That's something we have to look forward to. So that's, um, that's the important thing to, to keep in mind. Now, how can we grow in this kind of agape love, Carissa? SPEAKER C00:25:41 - 00:26:22 Well, in order to grow in this love, we need to spend time with the person whose love is. And so we can connect with Jesus through reading the Bible and through communion, through prayer. But it's also necessary to ask for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us because the Holy Spirit transforms Transforms our hearts. And as we behold Christ, we become changed and more and more like Jesus. We read in 2 Corinthians 3:18, but we all, with unveiled face, beholding it as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. SPEAKER A00:26:22 - 00:26:31 Thank you so much, Carissa. Now, do you have any final appeal, Alfredo, for our viewers Sure. SPEAKER B00:26:32 - 00:26:53 Whatever your gifts, accomplishments, or sacrifices may be, they have lasting value only when they are motivated by love, the love of Jesus in our heart. Jesus demonstrated that love for you and me on the cross. SPEAKER A00:26:53 - 00:26:54 Mm. SPEAKER B00:26:54 - 00:27:05 And he wants us to kindle that love in our heart. So the question is, will you let Jesus and that love touch your heart? SPEAKER A00:27:05 - 00:28:31 Beautiful. That is definitely the question for us to ponder today. And thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us today for this lesson. You know, love is far more than an emotion. It is the very character of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Love is patient, kind, humble, forgiving, and enduring. Spiritual gifts will pass away, faith will become sight, and hope will be fulfilled, but love will last forever. If you invite Jesus into your life, he will fill your heart with this heavenly love. It will become your character and will transform your heart, your relationships, and your life. Thank you for joining us on Let God Speak. Remember, you can See all of our past programs and teacher's notes at 3abnaustralia.org.au or email us at [email protected]. May God richly bless you. You have been listening to Let God Speak, a production of 3ABN Australia Television. To catch up on past programs, please visit 3abnaustralia.org.au. Call us in Australia on 02 4973 3456 or email [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.