Love Is . . . Real

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 ESV

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Introduction:

What’s love got to do with it? These words are belted out through the song of Tina Turner in the late 80’s. I wonder if you have ever asked this question. How have you responded when the question has been applied to you?

Paul, the author of the 1 Corinthians from which we are studying today, teaches that love has everything to do with it. As Paul has now moved from teaching the necessity of woking as one and establishing the roles of gifts in the church, he challenges the Corinthian Church to do all of it with and through love.

I believe this message is warranted just as much today as it was in the days of Paul. Our world today and our church seem to be driven by much and many things except love.

Today as we look at the text lets examine what love has to do with our gifts. . .

Love Is Foundational in Our Gifts

Paul explains to this Church that though gifts are significant for the believer, those gifts are ineffective without love.

Paul compares the eloquence of speech to the unpleasantry of misused instruments.

You see that? The use of our gifts without love is the misuse of our gifts.

Application: Do not make love secondary, even to your gifts. You and I must love the people God allows us to serve with our gifts. Our hearts must be affixed to love not hate. God has not only empowered you to operate in your gift but God has also empowered you to love.

Transition:

Love is Authenticity In Our Gifts

Paul says to the Church that even their faith cannot be effective in the Kingdom without love. Love is the window that through which people are able to see our faith.

Paul explains that moving

Illustration: My Grandmother used to say you will catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar.

Gifts without love is like vinegar to a fly. Paul’s challenge to the Church of Corinth is that they must exercise their gifts with love.

What am I saying?

Our giftedness, and faith without love is vain. The Christian will be unable to disciple others when he fails to love other.

Application: Do not miss opportunities to love. It is not always something we think about when we are doing our works in the church or demonstrating our faith but we should. Love is intentional. Make the moments count by expressing love towards others and God. We often hear people say things like, “I Love my Church” but how do you express it. Is it authentic.

Love Is Visible In Our Gifts

Paul encourages the church to look at their motives for doing things. His challenge is to know that love must be the motive and the drive. Paul says:

1 Corinthians 13:3 ESV

3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Empty and void shall our lives be when we sacrifice and give without the great motivator Love being visible. Paul is teaching that somehow someway love must be present and noticeable when the Christian acts.

Application: When you sacrifice and when you give do it with love. Do not be a show off. Do not do things to be competitive do them because love compels you to do them.

Conclusion:

You ever noticed:

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Our greatest example of love is God. Jesus on the cross.