Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
We started last week by examining a comprehensive list characterizing Biblical love.
Again, Biblical Love is a purposeful commitment to sacrificial action for others.
In our text, the Holy Spirit is answering this question.
What does Biblical love (agape love) look like practically?
The Holy Spirit provides us the answer.
In these verses, there are...
13 Characteristics of Biblical Love.
You can divide this list into two categories.
The two categories are what is Biblical Love and what it is not.
DISCLAIMER: Working through this list will likely take a few Sundays.
Whatever time it takes to go through this list will be worth the time.
It is an essential list, and I do not want to hurry through it.
Please remember that God instructed us to love others as we go through this list.
That can be difficult sometimes, but we still must do our best.
Last week, we covered two characteristics NOT found in Biblical love.
They were...
Biblical Love is...
NOT Envious
Note again that our text says...
The word “envieth” in Greek indicates jealousy towards another.
It literally means to be or become painfully desirous of another’s advantages.
Advantages mean any strengths, privileges, or attributes we desire but do not possess.
It mainly shows itself when we become aware of others receiving more attention than us.
In other words, they receive the recognition that we think belongs to us or desire to have for ourselves.
BIBLE EXAMPLE: King Saul was painfully jealous of David’s accomplishments knowing God’s hand was upon David.
Biblical love does not allow our service to the Lord to become a competition for approval or praise.
Biblical love rejoices with others when they do things for the Lord.
It does not operate on suspicion.
Instead, it sets aside self and seeks to uplift or build up the welfare and good of others.
Biblical love does not envy others.
Biblical love is...
NOT Boastful or Braggadocios
Look again at verse 4.
Note that it says “vaunteth not itself.”
The word “vaunteth” is not commonly used today.
In Greek, the connotation behind this word means to be or become boastful and exhibit self-importance.
Basically, Biblical love doesn’t “toot its own horn.”
BIBLE EXAMPLE: The rich man who built more barns essentially was tooting his own horn, and God judged him for it.
The reason this particular story stood out to me as I was studying is this.
Too many times, we, as believers, take credit where credit is not due.
We brag either directly or indirectly about the spiritual gift we have.
Our issue is the same as this rich man’s issue.
We are taking credit for what God has so graciously bestowed upon us.
That is not the way by which Biblical love behaves.
Loving God and loving others means not flaunting ourselves boastfully and engaging in self-glorification.
Yes, you might be very good at what you do.
You may even have achieved a level of understanding and use of your gifts that far exceed others.
However, you are not demonstrating Biblical love if you boast or brag about it.
Instead of boasting, Biblical love works to lift (build up) the Lord and others, not ourselves.
Here is another characteristic of Biblical love.
Here is where we want to pick back up today!
Biblical love is...
NOT Arrogant
Return again to 1 Corinthians 13:4
The last phrase of this verse states, “charity…is not puffed up.”
Again, if you study the Greek behind the word “puffed up,” you will find that it means to be or become proud.
It is conceived as being puffed up with air like a balloon.
Such a person is a person who once again thinks more of themselves than they do others.
They are arrogant, believing they are superior to others.
Additionally, they look down upon others and believe they are always right, and everyone else is wrong.
BIBLE EXAMPLE: King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4.
King Nebuchadnezzar achieved a level of greatness not many have ever accomplished.
He was the ruler of a vast empire that spanned much of the known world in his time.
I don’t think anyone could argue that he was a great intelligent man with a special military and political strategy gift.
However, he made one huge mistake.
He became proud and arrogant.
We see his arrogance in the verse we just read.
He forgot that Jehovah God was God.
Additionally, he attributed what he had done and gained to his ability, not giving glory and recognition to God.
There was no Biblical love, or love of any kind for that matter, exhibited by Nebuchadnezzar.
No, he was puffed up with selfish pride.
What was God’s reaction?
Some might respond to this story and my application by saying it doesn’t apply.
The foundation of their argument is that Nebuchadnezzar was a heathen and pagan king.
My reply is this!
If God thought enough to humble a pagan whose heart was filled with pride, what does He feel about those who claim to follow and love Him? Remember that 1 Corinthians is written to believers, which means us.
We are the ones who have committed our lives to live according to His commands.
His instruction, then, is to live a life of Biblical love.
What does that look like?
It is a life of humility and not arrogance.
We must humble ourselves even when we think we are right and others are wrong.
We are not to assert ourselves or become overbearing in our relationships with others.
Biblical love...
DOES NOT Act Unseemly or Unbecomingly
The first part of verse 5 states, “Doth not behave itself unseemly.”
Again, if you go to the Greek, it means to behave unbecomingly-to not behave in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in certain social groups.
However, in context, Biblical love never acts against the accepted standards of what is correct or appropriate according to God’s righteousness.
In other words, God’s Word is the standard by which we live.
Thus, Biblical love always acts according to His standards, not the world.
The world or society has its own standards.
The world says being rude, boastful, and overbearing is okay to get what you want.
If someone crosses you or steps on you, you should step up and put them in their place.
Make a big scene.
However, God expects us to love others Biblically.
In fact, Biblical love is sacrificial action.
It means we sacrifice our wants, desires, and even whatever amount of respect we think we are owed for the wishes, desires, and respect God and others claim.
BIBLE EXAMPLE: I point you to the prophet Jonah for this example, and for time’s sake, I will give you a quick rundown of his story.
God instructed Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh.
He was to preach repentance to them, warning them of God’s judgment.
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