THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN LOVE

Message Summary: Sandwiched in a discussion of spiritual gifts and the church, this famous chapter in Scripture presents a description of that which is more important than gifts and roles in the church – love. Void of love, acts of service, the acquisition of knowledge, and even meeting together with other believers is meaningless. When gifts are exercised with love, the Christian life flourishes. Although describes the marks of love, love is primarily selfless and active in nature. While this chapter presents a description of love, love finds its definition in treating others the way God in Christ treats us. Such love is exemplified in the cross of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and enamored with the return of Christ.

A Perspective on Love from Corinth…

Spiritual gifts are significant, but love is supreme.

Love is the necessity apart from which nothing in the Christian life matters.

Love is the necessity apart from which nothing in the Christian life matters.

Love is the field in which everything in the Christian life flourishes.

Spiritual gifts are temporal, but love is eternal.

The Nature of Love in the Church…

Love is essentially selfless.

It seeks its joy in the good of others to the glory of God.

Love is inevitably active.

It is not conveyed by words as much as it is shown by behavior.

The Marks of Love in the Christian…

Are you patient with others?

Are you kind to others?

Are you jealous of what others have?

Do you boast about what you have?

Are you ever proud before others?

Are you ever rude to others?

Do you want things your own way?

Are you irritable when things don’t go your way?

Do you keep any record of others’ wrongs?

Do you find any pleasure when others do wrong?

Do you experience only delight when others do right?

Do you tire of support for others?

Do you hold onto faith for others?

Do you lose hope for others?

Do you endure trials with others?

The Power to Love in Christ…

So what is the definition of Christian love?

To love is to be toward others the way God in Christ is toward us.

We receive His love.

We reflect His love.

We reflect His love.

And what is distinct about Christian love?

Christian love is exemplified in the cross of Christ.

It is based on mercy in the lover, not merit in the beloved.

Christian love is empowered by the Spirit of Christ.

It is not natural, but supernatural.

Christian love is enamored with the return of Christ.

It can’t help but to serve others in the present because it can’t wait to see Christ in the future.