A More Excellent Way

A More Excellent Way 1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:3 November 25, 2018 THE BIG IDEA: That we become loving people is far more important than whether we are active, busy people. Both are necessary, but one is greater than the other. 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:3 (ESV) 12 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 13 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. “Agape”: the unique and particular love demonstrated by God toward us and commanded for Christ’s disciples. The commitment to the good of the loved and willingness to forfeit one’s own rights and privileges to pursue the welfare of the other. John 13:35 Summary: The most extravagant displays of spiritual giftedness is worthless if you are devoid of love. This flies in the face of those who measured spiritual strength and value to the church by which gift you had. 1. Without Love, I am Mere Noise • Whether you’re thinking about ecstatic utterance or eloquent speech, Paul says without love, it’s useless. • “noisy gong, clanging cymbal” – from pagan worship, single tone, used in empty worship, attempting to either wake the god or wake the pagan worshippers. • Paul said, “You’re just making annoying noise, without love. You’re just irritating people.” 2. Without Love, I am Nothing (Zero) • 1 Corinthians 3:12-14 • Corinthians believed that the possession of certain gifts meant that those people were automatically of great importance and significance to God and to His church. Paul said you can have all the “flashy” gifts and the real significance of what you’ve done with your life is ZERO – nothing! 3. Without Love, I Made No Difference • In one great sweeping decision, you decide to give up everything you have for the poor. You give it all away. Doesn’t that automatically mean that I am a person who loves? • It depends. It depends on what motivated you. à Was it guilt? à Or was it pride? (you knew people would notice and praise you for your sacrifice) à Or, was it fear? Afraid that you would lose God’s favor if you didn’t literally give up everything to follow Jesus. à Or was it so you could wield power over those you were sacrificing for? After all, they should forever be in your debt based on what you gave up for them, right? • Paul says, no, if you didn’t do it because you were choosing to love them, it was really a big fat zero. THE POINT: How do you measure the significance of your relationship with God? By your spiritual gift, or the size of your sacrifices, or by your eloquent words? God says, those things can be good, but the more excellent way to live your life and measure your life is by whether you love. This love in 1 Corinthians 13 is a love that is “a servant of the will, not a victim of the emotion.” - John Stott