WHY DOES THE CHURCH NEED LOVE?

SCRIPTURE LESSON 1 COR. 13

IT WAS JONATHAN SWIFT, THE AUTHOR OF GULLIVER’S TRAVELS, WHO SAID, “WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH RELIGION TO MAKE US HATE, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE US LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”

SPIRITUAL GIFTS, NO MATTER HOW EXCITING AND WONDERFUL, ARE USELESS AND EVEN DESTRUCTIVE IF THEY ARE NOT MINISTERED IN LOVE.

IN ALL THREE OF THE “BODY” PASSAGES IN PAUL’S LETTERS, THERE IS AN EMPHASIS ON LOVE.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT BODY PASSAGES, I AM TALKING ABOUT THE PASSAGES WHERE PAUL USED THE EXAMPLE OF THE BODY TO SHOW THE CLOSENESS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

WE SHOULD BE JUST LIKE A BODY, ALL OF THE PARTS WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THE BODY WHAT GOD WANTS IT TO BE

THE MAIN EVIDENCE OF MATURITY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A GROWING LOVE FOR GOD AND FOR GOD’S PEOPLE, AS WELL AS A LOVE FOR LOST SOULS.

IT HAS WELL BEEN SAID THAT LOVE IS THE “CIRCULATORY SYSTEM” OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.

FEW CHAPTERS IN THE BIBLE HAVE SUFFERED MORE MISINTERPRETATION AND MISAPPLICATION THAN 1 CORINTHIANS 13.

YOU CANNOT DIVORCED THIS CHAPTER FROM ITS CONTEXT,

IF YOU DO, IT TAKES ON A DIFFERENT MEANING

IF YOU TRY TO MAKE THIS A STAND ALONE CHAPTER IT BECOMES “A SONG ABOUT LOVE” OR A SENTIMENTAL SERMON ON CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD.

MANY PEOPLE FAIL TO SEE THAT PAUL WAS STILL DEALING WITH THE CORINTHIANS’ PROBLEMS WHEN HE WROTE THESE WORDS RECORDED IN THIS 13^TH CHAPTER:

THE ABUSE OF THE GIFT OF TONGUES, DIVISION IN THE CHURCH, ENVY OF OTHERS’ GIFTS, SELFISHNESS (REMEMBER THE LAWSUITS?), IMPATIENCE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN THE PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND BEHAVIOR THAT WAS DISGRACING THE LORD’S CHURCH.

CHURCH, WE HAVE THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR GOING ON TODAY JUST LIKE IT WAS IN THE CHURCH IN CORINTH

DO YOU THINK WE ARE ANY BETTER THAN THEY WERE, ALL WE DO IS JUST TRY TO COVER UP OUR DISLIKE FOR ONE ANOTHER

DO YOU THINK GOD IS GOING TO ACCEPT YOUR ACTIONS AND BEHAVIOR

THE ONLY WAY SPIRITUAL GIFTS CAN BE USED CREATIVELY IS WHEN CHRISTIANS ARE MOTIVATED BY LOVE.

THE ONLY WAY THE CHURCH CAN BE WHAT GOD WANTS IT TO BE IS TO BE MOTIVATED BY LOVE

PAUL EXPLAINED THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIAN LOVE THAT SHOW WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT IN MINISTRY AND IN THE CHURCH.

IT IS TRAGIC WHEN THE WORLD TAKES A CHAPTER LIKE THIS (AS IT DOES) AND DIVORCES IT FROM ITS TRUE CHRISTIAN MEANING.

THE UNSAVED MAN CAN NO MORE EXPERIENCE THIS KIND OF LOVE THAN CAN A MARBLE STATUE!

IT TAKES THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THE LIFE, AND THE EMPOWERING OF THAT SPIRIT, FOR ANYONE TO DISPLAY THIS KIND OF CHARACTER IN OUR DAILY LIFE.

KEEP IN MIND THAT PAUL IS STILL DEALING WITH THE QUESTION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

HERE HE IS EMPHASIZING THE FACT THAT GIFTS WITHOUT GRACES ARE NOTHING.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (GAL. 5:22–23) IS MORE IMPORTANT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE THAN THE MIRACULOUS GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT.

WHENEVER THE CHURCH STRIVES FOR MIRACULOUS EXPERIENCES RATHER THAN CHRISTIAN HOLINESS AND CHARACTER, THERE WILL BE DIVISION, CONFUSION, AND CARNALITY.

THREE POINTS AND THE LESSON IS YOURS

POINT ONE LOVE IS ESSENTIAL (13:1–3)

POINT TWO LOVE HAS AN EFFECT (13:4–7)

POINT THREE LOVE IS ETERNAL (13:8–13)

THE WORD “CHARITY” MEANS “LOVE” IN ACTION.

IT IS NOT SIMPLY AN EMOTION;

IT IS THE HEART REACHING OUT TO OTHERS.

“CHARITY” TODAY MAKES US THINK OF GIVING AWAY OLD CLOTHES OR MAKING GIFTS TO “CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.” THESE ACTIVITIES TODAY IS NOT OUT OF CHRISTIAN LOVE

THEY ARE WHAT WE CALL A KNEE JERK REACTION,

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT PREACHER, A KNEE JERK REACTION IS WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING AND DON’T REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING

PAUL IS DEMANDING MUCH MORE THAN A KNEE JERK REACTION.

THE WORD HE USES FOR LOVE IS AGAPE, WHICH IS LOVE THAT SACRIFICES FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS.

GOING IN YOUR CLOSET AND GETTING SOMETHING YOU CAN’T WEAR AND BRING IT TO THE GIVEAWAY, MEANS NOTHING

GET SOME OF THOSE CLOSES YOU WEAR EVERY DAY AND BRING THEM TO THE GIVEAWAY, AND YOU WILL HAVE MADE A SACRIFICE

TAKE SOME OF THE FOOD YOU WERE GOING TO EAT AND BRING IT TO THE GIVEAWAY, AND YOU WILL HAVE MADE A SACRIFICE

TAKE SOME OF THE MONEY YOU WERE GOING TO GO OUT AND EAT ON AND GIVE IT IN THE COLLECTION FOR THE GIVEAWAY AND YOU WILL HAVE MADE A SACRIFICE

DROPPING YOUR CHANGE IN THE GIVEAWAY OFFERING IS NOTHING BUT A KNEE JERK REACTION THAT MEANS NOTHING

LOOK AT HOW PAUL TAKES UP SOME OF THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS OF CHAPTER 12:8–10 AND SHOWS THEIR EMPTINESS APART FROM LOVE.

TONGUES APART FROM LOVE BECOME MERE NOISE, LIKE THE CLANGING OF A CYMBAL.

PROPHECY WITHOUT LOVE MAKES THE PROPHET NOTHING. THIS APPLICATION CAN ALSO BE APPLIED TO KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH.

PAUL IS NOT MINIMIZING THESE GIFTS; HE IS SIMPLY SAYING THAT THEY WILL HAVE NO GOOD EFFECT ON THE INDIVIDUAL OR ON THE CHURCH UNLESS THERE IS LOVE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS OR HER GIFTS.

WE MIGHT GO SO FAR AS TO SACRIFICE OUR BODY, BUT APART FROM LOVE, THIS ACT WOULD AMOUNT TO NOTHING.

LOVE IS THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS.

IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE Corinthian WERE USING THEIR SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND OFFICES WITH AN ATTITUDE OF COMPETITION AND NOT OF LOVE.

THE CHURCH WAS DIVIDED, AND THE SITUATION WAS GETTING WORSE BECAUSE THE VERY SPIRITUAL GIFTS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BUILD THE CHURCH WERE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD!

PREACHING WITHOUT LOVE IS JUST SO MUCH NOISE. PRAYING WITHOUT LOVE BECOMES AN EMPTY SPEECH. GIVING WITHOUT LOVE IS JUST A CEREMONY.

IS IT ANY WONDER THAT CHRIST ASKED PETER, “DO YOU LOVE ME?” (JOHN 21:17)

POINT TWO LOVE HAS AN EFFECT (13:4–7)

GIFTS HAVE NO SPIRITUAL EFFECT ON THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IF THERE IS NO LOVE, BECAUSE IT IS LOVE THAT THE SPIRIT USES TO BUILD THE CHURCH.

KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP, BUT LOVE BUILDS UP,” SAYS 1 COR. 8:1. TAKE A LOOK AT THE QUALITIES OF LOVE:

A.     LOVE IS PATIENT AND KIND (V. 4).

LOVE RISES ABOVE PETTY THINGS AND IS GENEROUS IN THE WAY IT TREATS OTHERS.

IT IS EASY TO “LOVE” WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOVABLE;

HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO LOVE WHEN THEY INJURE OR ATTACK US IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

THINK OF CHRIST’S PATIENCE WITH PETER AFTER PETER SINNED AGAINST HIM AND DENIED THAT HE EVER KNEW HIM, AND YOU WILL HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT THIS MEANS.

LOVE NOT ONLY PATIENTLY BEARS WITH WRONGS, BUT IT POSITIVELY ACTS IN DEEDS OF KINDNESS AFTER THE WRONG IS DONE.

B.     LOVE NEVER SIMMERS WITH JEALOUSY (V. 4).

ENVY IS A TERRIBLE SIN; CAIN ENVIED HIS BROTHER AND KILLED HIM!

HOW DO WE REACT WHEN OTHER CHRISTIANS RECEIVE BLESSINGS OR BENEFITS THAT WE LACK?

DO WE ALLOW THE SPARKS OF ENVY TO BURN AND THEN COME TO A FULL FLAME?

C.     LOVE IS NOT BOASTFUL OR PROUD (V. 4).

NOT “PUFFED UP” REFERS TO THE INWARD FEELING; “VAUNTETH” REFERS TO THE OUTWARD DISPLAYS OF SELF-IMPORTANCE.  WHAT IS ON THE INSIDE WILL COME OUT ON THE OUTSIDE

D.     LOVE IS NOT RUDE OR SELF-SEEKING (V. 5).

THERE IS A GRACIOUSNESS ABOUT THE PERSON WHO ACTS FROM CHRISTIAN LOVE,

A CHARM THAT THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE.

TRUE LOVE SEEKS ONLY THE GOOD OF OTHERS; IT IS UNSELFISH.

CAN YOU SEE THIS LOVE DISPLAYED IN CHRIST’S LIFE?

CAN YOU SEE THIS LOVE IN THE CHURCH?  CAN YOU SEE THIS LOVE IN THE CHURCH TODAY?

E.     LOVE IS NOT PROVOKED, NOR DOES IT HARBOR EVIL THOUGHTS (V. 5).

THE WORD “EASILY” DOES NOT BELONG HERE. CHRISTIAN LOVE SHOWS NO IRRITATION, AS THE FLESH TOO OFTEN DOES. LOVE DOES NOT KEEP ACCOUNT BOOKS OF THE EVIL THINGS PEOPLE DO, OR THE HURTS RECEIVED FROM THEM.

IN FACT, LOVE IS NEVER GLAD WHEN OTHERS GET INVOLVED IN EVIL, BUT LOVE IS ALWAYS GLAD WHEN OTHERS ARE WALKING IN THE TRUTH.

F.     LOVE GIVES VICTORY (V. 7).

THROUGH CHRIST’S LOVE IN US, WE CAN BEAR UP UNDER ANYTHING, HAVE FAITH, AND CONTINUE IN HOPE. “IT GIVES US POWER TO ENDURE IN ANYTHING” V. 7, (WMS). LOVE ALWAYS LEADS TO VICTORY!

IN THESE VERSES, PAUL GENTLY REBUKED THE SINS OF THE CORINTHIANS. THEY DID NOT HAVE PATIENCE WITH EACH OTHER IN THE ASSEMBLY (14:29–32); THEY ENVIED THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS OTHERS POSSESSED (14:1); THEY WERE PROUD AND CRITICAL (12:21–26); THEY DID NOT HAVE MODESTY OR GRACE IN THEIR BEHAVIOR (12:2–16); THEY SOUGHT TO UPHOLD THEIR OWN RIGHTS (CHAPS. 8–10) EVEN IF IT HURT OTHERS; THEY WERE EASILY PROVOKED, AND EVEN SUED ONE ANOTHER (6:1–8); AND THEY REJOICED AT SIN WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE JUDGED IT (5:1–13). WE CAN ALSO SEE IN THESE VERSES A PICTURE OF CHRIST WHO ALONE PERFECTLY MANIFESTS THE LOVE OF GOD TO US. WE CAN SUBSTITUTE THE WORD “CHRIST” FOR “CHARITY” IN THIS CHAPTER.

POINT THREE LOVE IS ETERNAL (13:8–13)

THE CORINTHIANS WERE SPIRITUAL BABIES, AND, LIKE BABIES, THEY WERE STRIVING FOR THE TEMPORARY AND NEGLECTING THE PERMANENT.

THEY WANTED PASSING SPIRITUAL GIFTS INSTEAD OF LASTING CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

LOVE WILL NEVER “FAIL”

LOVE WILL NEVER CEASE TO HAVE FORCE OR AUTHORITY IN OUR LIVES AND IN THE WORD OF GOD.

THESE OTHER GIFTS WILL PASS AWAY;

PROPHETIC UTTERANCES WOULD BE REPLACED BY THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD;

TONGUES WOULD NO LONGER BE NEEDED;

GIFTS OF SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE WOULD BE PUT ASIDE FOR THE TEACHING MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT FROM THE WORD.

BUT LOVE, AND THE GRACES IT PRODUCES, WILL LAST FOREVER.

PAUL EXPLAINS THAT THESE SPECIAL GIFTS WERE NECESSARY DURING THE INFANCY PERIOD OF THE CHURCH.

SPECIAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT WERE THE CREDENTIALS OF THE APOSTLES (ROM. 15:18–19).

GOD DID NOT ALWAYS USE MIRACLES TO ATTEST HIS TRUTH, BUT OFTEN HE DID.

IN THESSALONICA, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SPIRIT REVEALED HIMSELF IN THE MIGHTY PREACHING OF THE WORD, AND NOT IN MIRACLES (1 THES. 1:5–6). IN V. 11,

PAUL USES A SIMPLE EXAMPLE FROM CHILDHOOD.

WE DO NOT CONDEMN A CHILD BECAUSE HE TALKS LIKE A CHILD, BUT WE DO CONDEMN AN ADULT FOR USING BABY TALK.

IT IS TIME,” SAYS THE APOSTLE, “FOR YOU BABIES TO GROW UP AND START TALKING LIKE ADULTS!

TONGUES AND OTHER SPECIAL MANIFESTATIONS BELONG TO SPIRITUAL BABIES.

GROW UP!” ACT LIKE YOU ARE A MATURE CHILD OF GOD

PAUL IN CHAPTER 14:20 AGAIN TELLS THEM TO QUIT ACTING LIKE CHILDREN.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ROOM FOR GROWTH IN THE CHURCH, AND WHILE WE ARE GROWING, WE WILL KNOW AND SEE IMPERFECTLY.

CORINTH WAS FAMOUS FOR ITS METAL MIRRORS, SO PAUL USED THAT AS AN ILLUSTRATION.

ONE SAW ONLY A DIM REFLECTION OF THE REAL PERSON IN THOSE MIRRORS, JUST AS WE SEE ONLY A DIM REFLECTION OF GOD TODAY.

BUT WHEN CHRIST COMES, WE SHALL KNOW HIM AS WE ARE KNOWN BY HIM! AND WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM!

THE CHURCH GROWS CLOSER TO PERFECTION THROUGH LOVE: CHRISTIANS LOVING CHRIST AND ONE ANOTHER;

HOLDING THE TRUTH IN LOVE;

PRACTICING THE TRUTH BECAUSE THEY LOVE HIM.

BUILDING THE BODY UP IN LOVE IS THE WAY EPH. 4:16 PUTS IT, AND THIS IS A MINISTRY ALL OF US SHARE.

FAITH, HOPE, LOVE—THESE THREE ABIDE FOREVER; AND LOVE IS THE GREATEST, FOR “GOD IS LOVE” (1 JOHN 3:18).