Introduction I Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Faith is our foundation
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Working Faith James 2:14-26 James 2.14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? James 2.15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, James 2.16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? James 2.17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2.18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2.19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2.20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2.21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? James 2.22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2.23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2.24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2.25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? James 2.26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Add to Your Faith II Peter 1:1-16 II Pet. 1.1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: II Pet. 1.2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, II Pet. 1.3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: II Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Pet. 1.5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; II Pet. 1.6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; II Pet. 1.7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. II Pet. 1.8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. II Pet. 1.9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. II Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: II Pet. 1.11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. II Pet. 1.12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. II Pet. 1.13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; II Pet. 1.14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. II Pet. 1.15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. II Pet. 1.16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Hope motivates us (promises of God)
Titus 3:1-7 Titus 3.1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, Titus 3.2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3.3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Titus 3.4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Titus 3.5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3.6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Titus 3.7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
I Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Eternal life or destruction? Romans 2:5-11 Rom. 2.5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Rom. 2.6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: Rom. 2.7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: Rom. 2.8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Rom. 2.9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; Rom. 2.10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: Rom. 2.11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Romans 8:15-25 Rom. 8.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom. 8.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Rom. 8.17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Rom. 8.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8.19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Rom. 8.20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Rom. 8.21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Rom. 8.22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Rom. 8.23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Rom. 8.24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? Rom. 8.25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Charity (Why is love so important)
1John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Colossians 3:14 And above all put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
I Cor. 13.1-13 I Cor. 13.1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. I Cor. 13.2 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. I Cor. 13.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. I Cor. 13.4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, I Cor. 13.5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; I Cor. 13.6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; I Cor. 13.7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. I Cor. 13.8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. I Cor. 13.9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. I Cor. 13.10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. I Cor. 13.11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. I Cor. 13.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. I Cor. 13.13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Love of God and man Mark 12:28-33 Mark 12.28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? Mark 12.29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: Mark 12.30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12.31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12.32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: Mark 12.33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Conclusion I Timothy 6:5-19 I Tim. 6.6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. I Tim. 6.7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. I Tim. 6.8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. I Tim. 6.9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. I Tim. 6.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. I Tim. 6.11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. I Tim. 6.12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I Tim. 6.13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; I Tim. 6.14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: I Tim. 6.15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; I Tim. 6.16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. I Tim. 6.17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; I Tim. 6.18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; I Tim. 6.19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.