Valuing Love
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
Today, we begin a new series about Family Values. The home is under attack. There are forces in our society which have blatantly stated they want to “end the nuclear family”
I suggest to you today, that our homes and families are vital. The Bible teaches that the very first and foundational institution ever created was the family. Through the family, children were to be created and brought into this world. There they were to learn skills and develop the character they would need to fulfill God’s plan for them. In the home, Scripture was to be taught all the time
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
How can we do that if our family doesn’t have Biblical values? WE CAN”T
So for the next few weeks, lets examine family values
AG for Sermon:
Family life is a school for character.
Martin Luther
The first value we examine is LOVE
TS: When discussing love, there is no better Passage to examine that 1 Cor. 13
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.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
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, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
RS: What does the Bible say about family love? Both the New and Old Testament teach the importance of family unity and love. God created the family unit as a source of growth, strength, and love. Through both challenging and joyful seasons, we can learn to love our family better.
God has given many gifts to us.
1 Cor 13 is sandwiched between a discussion about spiritual gifts.
Ch 12 discusses gifts and their use in the church to accomplish our mission
Ch 14 discusses the value and priority of the gifts.
In between them, Paul was inspired to mention even greater gifts:
Faith, Hope and Love
We all have spiritual gifts. Some fewer and some more, but all have at least 1
The one thing we surely all have in common is that we all have faith, hope, and love
And Paul says that the greatest is LOVE!
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
He begins building to this point in v. 8
I. THE INDESTRUCTIBILITY OF LOVE (13:8–12)
I. THE INDESTRUCTIBILITY OF LOVE (13:8–12)
A. Unlike the other gifts, love is permanent (1 Cor. 13:8).
A. Unlike the other gifts, love is permanent (1 Cor. 13:8).
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
1. Prophecy will cease (13:8a)
2. Tongues (other human languages) will cease (13:8b).
3. Knowledge will cease (13:8c).
Each of these three were gifts listed in Eph 4, Ro 12, and 1 Cor 12.
The Corinthians highly prized them and even were fussing over which was the greatest and thus which believer “outranked” others based upon having them.
This wording in this verses taught the Corinthians that prophecy and knowledge would one day be done away with.
The condition of “when that which is perfect has come” causes these 2 to cease
The Perfect:
MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary
The perfect must be the eternal state, when we in glory see God face to face (Rev 22:4) and have full knowledge in the eternal new heavens and new earth. Just as a child grows to full understanding, believers will come to perfect knowledge and no such gifts will be necessary.
They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
However tongues have no condition for their end.
MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary
On the other hand, Paul uses a different word for the end of the gift of tongues, or languages, thus indicating it will “cease” by itself, as it did at the end of the apostolic age
God’s love outlasts all failures and is a model for love within our families.
Only loving as God does and equips us will hold a husband and wife together and be an environment in which children will grow Godly character.
B. Unlike other gifts, love is complete (1 Cor. 13:9–12):
B. Unlike other gifts, love is complete (1 Cor. 13:9–12):
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
Paul offers two illustrations.
1. The child/adult illustration (13:9–11)
a. The gifts, if used without love, may be likened to the attitudes and actions of an immature child (13:9–11a).
How do immature children behave?
conniption fit
Can you hear this picture?
b. Love may be likened to the attitudes and actions of a mature adult (13:11b).
Hopefully, we have outgrown that phase of life and are teaching our children to grow out of it as well.
However, looking at social media today, sadly many so called adults still pitch fits.
2. The mirror/face-to-face illustration (13:12)
a. In the present, through the gifts, we see but a mirrorlike reflection of God (13:12a).
b. In the future, through love, we will see God face-to-face (13:12b).
God is love
The springs of love are in God, not in us.
Oswald Chambers
When we know God, we learn to truly love
We see God and we conform to Him
AP: In our families, love should be permanent and complete
Family love should be permanent
It is unconditional like God’s love and thus nothing will make us stop loving
That is the goal
It is far more a commitment than a feeling.
One illustration was given by Paul in
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Jesus quoted Himself (God) and said this of marriage:
and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
That kind of committed love is permanent!
It takes work. It takes constant vigilance, but it is worth it!
This kind of love is how we should (and seem to naturally do) love our children as well.
Love should be complete
Husband/wife: the 2 have become 1
God created Eve because Adam was incomplete without her!
God brings us together as husband and wife to complete each other
This is discussing a 100% complete love for each other
God sends children into these homes of love to bring up the next generation.
Our children (regardless of how young or old they are) need our love!
Paul Goes on to discuss
II. THE INVINCIBILITY OF LOVE (13:13)
II. THE INVINCIBILITY OF LOVE (13:13)
A. Faith and hope are among God’s greatest gifts (13:13a).
A. Faith and hope are among God’s greatest gifts (13:13a).
The abiding gifts are faith, hope, and love
Faith- Heb 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Complete trust in Him
That is the foundation of eternal life!
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We are to walk by faith
trusting in his word and that His ways are the best ways
Hope- Christian’s definition of hope is far superior to that of the world. Instead of wishing or hoping for something to happen, a believer knows that their hope is solid, concrete evidence because it is grounded in the Word of God and we know that God cannot lie
We KNOW God will take care of us and provide for us. It is often used in reference to eternal life. We look forward to Christ’s return with Hope.
Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. No husbandman would sow a grain of corn if he hoped not it would grow up and become seed … Or no tradesman would set himself to work if he did not hope to reap benefit thereby.
Martin Luther
Faith and hope are GREAT.... but ..
B. Love is God’s greatest gift (13:13b).
B. Love is God’s greatest gift (13:13b).
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Love is far beyond faith and hope.
The objects of faith and hope will be fulfilled when we see God face to face in heaven.
Love, however, is eternal!
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Go back and look earlier in ch 13
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, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
AP: Our families need love!
We need the impact love can make in our families every day
Love Is Patient Meaning
Love Is Patient Meaning
Patient love is persistent. It’s choosing to love even when you don’t feel like it or the other person isn’t deserving of it. It’s a love that’s based off a commitment, not a feeling. This love perfectly describes God’s love for us.
Love Is Kind Meaning
Love Is Kind Meaning
In a world that wants to give people what they deserve and that is quick to cancel people for their mistakes, the Bible shows us a different way. Love, true love, is kind. This implies that we react with kindness and goodness, rather than harshness. Again, think of how God responds to us in his love. This isn’t to say love doesn’t rebuke, but that those are done in a gentle way with love at the center.
Love Does Not Envy Meaning
Love Does Not Envy Meaning
In Western culture we are obsessed with ourselves. We want, and think we deserve, what others have. And when someone gets “ahead” of us, we envy them. But true love doesn’t envy, it celebrates. Love is not displeased when others experience the success we want.
Love Does Not Boast Meaning
Love Does Not Boast Meaning
Boasting is bragging, it’s praising ourselves, thinking we are better than others. True love doesn’t boast, but it recognizes our achievements are where our value is found. We don’t need to prop ourselves up to make ourselves feel better because we are already enough in Christ.
Love Is Not Proud Meaning
Love Is Not Proud Meaning
Pride is feeling overly self-confident in our own abilities, we hid our mistakes and project confidence. We see this attitude all over in our culture. But love requires a different approach: humility. God calls us to a life of humility in which we rely on God for our strength and provision.
Love Is Not Rude Meaning
Love Is Not Rude Meaning
Remember love is kind, therefore it cannot be rude. Love must care for others, respect their feelings, and share their concerns. Love does not act disgracefully, it honors.
Love Is Not Self-Seeking Meaning
Love Is Not Self-Seeking Meaning
We are naturally selfish; we don’t have to try hard to think about ourselves. But love requires that we put aside this tendency and think about others. This kind of love doesn’t insist on getting its way or prioritizing itself. Rather it focuses on the needs of others.
Love Is Not Easily Angered Meaning
Love Is Not Easily Angered Meaning
This goes back to “love is patient.” When we are wronged we typically rush towards anger and revenge. They deserve it after all. But this kind of love challenges us to pause for a minute and reflect on what God does for us when we make a mistake. True love is not easily angered.
Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs Meaning
Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs Meaning
Here’s the reality. We’ve all been wronged AND we’ve all wronged others. And what Paul is saying here is true love doesn’t hold those wrongs that have been done to us against the wrong doers. Instead, we should practice forgiveness.
This can be exceptionally challenging for many and more than we can deal with in this post. For more check out: What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness?
Love Does Not Delight In Evil But Rejoices With Truth Meaning
Love Does Not Delight In Evil But Rejoices With Truth Meaning
Love focuses on living in God’s truth and not evil. The world is constantly telling us all the things we need to be happy and satisfied. But love doesn’t pay attention to those and instead rejoices in God’s truth.
Love Always Protects Meaning
Love Always Protects Meaning
Love protects, it stands with the oppressed and hurting. But not only that, love also calls out sin in others. Not to bring shame or harm, but to correct and protect others from going down a path than will hurt them.
Love Always Trusts Meaning
Love Always Trusts Meaning
Love trusts, even when things don’t make sense. God will often lead his people down paths that may seem scary or even like the wrong way. But love trusts, it understands that God can see things we cannot, and it trusts God to lead us through.
Love Always Hopes Meaning
Love Always Hopes Meaning
Similar to the previous, love ALWAYS hopes. Even when there seems to be no reason for hope, love finds it. Love is centered firmly on what God has done for us. And no matter what we are facing we can have reason to hope because of what he has done for us.
Love Always Perseveres Meaning
Love Always Perseveres Meaning
Love doesn’t give up when the going gets hard, it perseveres. So often in our culture when things get hard we bail. But true love goes through the difficult trails trusting that God will lead them through.
Love Never Fails Meaning
Love Never Fails Meaning
Here’s the promise that Paul ends on: love will never fail. God will never fail. He will complete the work he has promised. You are not forgotten, too lost, or broken beyond repair. His love for you will never fail. And one day all things will be made new.
The world needs this so much today.
Our homes NEED Love and we must be MODELS of such love
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Love is indestructible!
Love is invincible!
Do you love well?
May it be sad of all of our homes:
Home: where each lives for the other and all live for God.
Anonymous
The Outline Bible (Section Outline Thirteen (1 Corinthians 13))