All you need is love...and a little faith and hope

Introduction

We are breaking away (slightly) from our study of Luke this week. Recent events in Europe have led many of us into a time of worry about our futures. I thought perhaps a reminder of Paul’s words about Love would offer us comfort.

Some of us may find it difficult to hear 1 Corinthians 13 without thinking of white dresses, rented tuxedos, bouquets, unity candles, and all our modern culture uses to prop up its romanticized notions about marriage. In fact, Paul’s words are quite appropriate at such ceremonies and reminds the bride, groom, and all in attendance what true love can provide.

Love is one of those things in short supply these days. Actual love that is. We find distraction in material things, pleasure in earthly things…things we may even say we love. Yet is it truly love?

These past few days have shown us globally what hatred, what greed, what unkindness to neighbours can look like. The military actions of Russia against Ukraine have escalated, causing so much uncertainty in our world. And this my friends, appears to be just the beginning of a potential global conflict. I’m certainly not a prophet and can’t tell you where this is heading, but I’m worried. The simple words “love thy enemy” should be an easy concept to follow. But such events we are witnessing these days shows that hatred is a much easier route to take. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, said, “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.”

Paul reminded the church of Corinth all those years ago about the importance of love. It is time for us to remind ourselves to love again.

Reading

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. Love Is Indispensable And yet I will show you the most excellent way. ​ If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 12:27 - 13:13

The Greatest of these is love

I think it’s safe to say that we are probably feeling helpless watching such harm occur to the world in which God himself created. It’s easy to fall into moments of despair. It’s tempting to lash out and family, friends, even total strangers who’s opinions on worldly happenings are different than our own. I read earlier this week that truck drivers who recently protested in Ottawa have permanently cut ties with family members who’s views did not align with their own.

We really need to remind ourselves what is important. Political agendas will come and go. Economic woes will come and go. This worldwide pandemic will go. Even the conflict in Ukraine will go. We need to reach out, no matter how hard it seems, and love. Love is the greatest gift God has given us. God showed us, through His Son Jesus Christ just how great His love is for us. Love is everlasting and never-ending.

Pray for peace

More than ever, we need to pause and reflect on how love can restore peace in our world. You and I can make a difference. We don’t need to feel helpless, watching families, communities, nations crumble before our eyes. The most effective thing you and I can do individually, as a community, as a nation, as a world is pause, bow our heads and offer prayer. Pray that we may know what true love is. Pray that we may love our enemies. Prayer that those causing harm will open their hearts to the love of God. Join me in praying these words:

Heavenly father, we come to you in prayer for peace in ourselves, our families, our communities, our nation, and your world. May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your arms. For the sake of my family and friends, remind me to always say “Peace be within you.” May our public display of love for one another reach beyond or local communities, and result in global peace. Amen

(paraphrasing: Psalms 122:6-8)

Conclusion

The qualities of love are qualities of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Paul reminds of the grace of love, its excellency in its nature and in its effects; and by its enduring characteristics:

· Patient

· Kind

· Not Envious

· Not boastful

· Not proud

· Not to dishonor others

· Not self-seeking

· Not Easily Angered

· Keeps no record of wrongs

· Always trusts

· Never Fails

· Completeness

"Love seeketh not itself to please Nor for itself hath any care, But for another gives its ease And builds a heaven in hell's despair." William Blake

Prayer

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted. LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation. The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The LORD is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, LORD; let the nations know they are only mortal. Psalms 9