The Living Body - Without Love, We Are Empty.

READ (1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-3)

Many scholars have said that there is no other passage in the scriptures written by Paul that is more well-known than 1 Cor. 13.

The greatest, strongest, deepest.” - It was essential to Paul’s argument before Corinth.

Paul called love the “most excellent way...”

What way?

Arguments in year 1 of marriage compared to year 12. “Son, you can be right or you can be happy. This is your choice.”

Paul spent an entire chapter explaining spiritual gifts and unity in the body of Christ.

Every gift of the Holy Spirit comes from the same stream.

Now, Paul is getting to the point.

Without love, the church is empty.

Powerless… “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - (Romans 5:6-8)

We are all differnet, but our testimonies agree with this passage.

God saw us at our worst, and sent Jesus to save us anyway.

To be loved is to know God. If you don’t know God, you haven’t experienced true love.

“The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.” - (1 John 4:8-9)

Without God’s love, our message, wisdom, and generosity as a church body is empty.

1. An Empty Message.

According to Paul, earthly or spiritual language is pointless without love.

FSB - “Love is a genuine and selfless concern for the well-being of others.”

In Corinth, the wealthy members showed little love to the non-wealthy members.

“Noisy gong/clanging symbol” - People used symbols to worship Dionysus, the god of win.

Spiritual gifts without love among Christians is no different than pagan worship.

“I’ll pray for you”, “I love you” as lip serving with sincerity is cruel. Of Satan.

No one cares what we are talking about when we leave love at the door.

2. Empty Wisdom.

The early believers were moved by men and women who could unlock spiritual mysteries and offer teaching.

Well-known spiritual problems that exercised the mind.

“faith” - Confidence in God to do mighty works that ushered in powerful displays.

If people could see the waters parted, they would believe. (No they didn’t, and no they won’t.)

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - (John 13:35)

Supreme intelligence and mighty power that exist outside of God’s love will accomplish nothing if the foundation of it all is not love.

Our identity as Christians is not founded on changing the minds of people.

Without the gospel, our abilities and and influence will come out dry and lifeless.

3. Empty Service

1st Century people commonly saw great deeds of charity and suffering.

Early believers sold their property to meet the needs of those around them.

Martyrdom for the sake of ambition has occured often in church history.

Paul rejected all such ideas.

Love is the only thing needful. Nothing can make up for its lack.

Service in the community as a ministry strategy.

We don’t serve people to show Christ’s love. We receive Christ’s love to serve people.

Christian service comes from people who have fallen in love with Jesus.

“Nothing can bring a sense of security into a home except for true love.” - Billy Graham

When I display love to others, am I operating from God’s love?