Seeing the Unseen: Remain in Love

Big Idea: The qualities of God’s Reign in someone’s life are knowable and noticeable. This means you can see the impact God is making on the inside by how they live out this new-found reality that they are a part of the kingdom of God.

Read 1 Cor 13:13

Can anyone think of why Love is the greatest of the three options?

· Possible answers:

o God is love – 1 John 4:16

o Everything that Paul mentions in verses 4-8.

· Probable answers:

o At some point, love will be the only thing that will remain.

o Someday, our Faith will be made sight.

o Someday, all our Hopes will be fulfilled.

Background: The church at Corinth was lacking in love.

1. It had “gifts” and was a busy church.

2. It is often easier to be busy than to extend love.

· “God is love” (1 John 4:16). Jesus wants His followers to demonstrate love (John 13:35).

Although Faith, hope, and love are often found together in the New Testament: Rom. 5:2–5; Gal. 5:5–6; Eph. 4:2–5; Col. 1:4–5; 1 Thess. 1:3; 5:8; Heb. 6:10–12; 10:22–24; 1 Peter 1:3–8, 21–22.[1] Nowhere is it better explained than in 1 Corinthians 13:

A. This chapter may be the most remarkable thing Paul wrote. It is one of the most significant writings found anywhere.

B. This great passage is central to discussing “spiritual gifts.”

1. Possessing “gifts” did not always make them spiritual.

2. Paul has already informed them they were “worldly” (1 Corinthians 3:1).

C. Many were promoting themselves because of a lack of love.[2]

The Source of Christian Love

A. The love of God is called “agape.”

1. The word was seldom used in the Greek writings but is used often in the New Testament.

§ Agape remained undefined until the early church used it.

2. This word does not refer to sexual love, romantic love, friendship, or sentiment.

B. This chapter gives us a definition of “agape” love.

1. “Agape” is a sacrificial love for others even when they are unworthy. “Agape” is more concerned with giving than receiving.

2. Consider these Scriptures: John 15:9; Colossians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Hebrews 10:24.

C. The real basis of “agape” love is commitment.

The Strength of Christian Love (v. 13)

A. Love is the greatest because it is the very nature of God (1 John 4:7–11; John 3:16).

1. Faith and hope are essential.

2. When we love, we show the nature of God.

Think about it like this: Faith is towards God. Hopeis on behalf of ourselves. Love is love to God, which creates in us love towards our neighbor. In an unbeliever, there are more or less of the three opposites—unbelief, despair, and hatred.[3]

B. Love is the greatest because it leads others to the Savior (1 John 4:10).

Conclusion

A. Love is a command and a work of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We must express our love for it to be the real thing.

B. Faith will be replaced by sight when we get to Heaven. Hope will become a reality, but the love of God will always remain.

[1]Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians, vol. 18, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001). [2]Ben Merold, Sermon Outlines on 1 Corinthians, ed. Sam E. Stone, Standard Sermon Starters (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 1995), 47. [3]Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 289.