NUMBER SIXTEEN (16)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) The number sixteen symbolizes love. There are 16 names of God in the Old Testament that signify His steadfast love for the children of Israel. 

b) The converted believer is to become perfected in the love of God not just by physically obeying the Ten Commandments (which ought to be done) but also by obeying the spiritual INTENT of God's laws: i) 37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV) c) This duality of spiritual love is signified by 8 + 8 = 16.  d) The 16th time the word "love" is used in 1John it says, "There is no fear in love . . ." (1John 4:18, NKJV)   1. Paul, sixteen, and love  a) In 1 Corinthians 13 the apostle Paul says sixteen things about the quality of love: i) Love suffers long. ii) Love is kind. iii) Love does not envy. iv) Love doesn't parade itself. v) Love is not puffed up. vi) Love doesn't behave rudely. vii) Love doesn't seek its own. viii) Love is not provoked. ix) Love thinks no evil. x) Love doesn't rejoice in iniquity. xi) Love rejoices in the truth. xii) Love bears all things. xiii) Love believes all things. xiv) Love hopes all things. xv) Love endures all things. xvi) LOVE NEVER FAILS . . . (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, paraphrased). The End ...