Sermon April 12th
“This week our Sermon was from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
What is the Greatest Attribute a Christian can have? What is God looking for in His People? What is God looking for in you? What does the bible say? 1 Corinthians 13:1 says, “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.” A person who speaks in the tongues of angels, who can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and who gives generously to the poor and sacrifices his own comfort to serve God… that person would be a rock star in our church. SURPRISINGLY… 1 Corinthians 13 has a VERY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. All these are wonderful things for a Christ follower to do. Love is greater than everything else combined. No matter what you think about your pursuit of God in your life, it’s this simple: IF YOU DON’T LOVE OTHERS WELL EVERYTHING HAS ZERO VALUE. But what does it mean to “love?” ONE WAY CHRISTIANS REDEFINE LOVE is to say, “would it be loving to not tell you that you are going to Hell? The truth hurts. You’ll thank me later.” Truth without love is no longer loving. Even when speaking truth we are commanded to do it in love. Paul does not give the reader a very clear description of the “love” he is talking about here. The Greek word he uses is “agape.” It means, “the supernatural, unconditional love of God.” Then, he describes it: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” LOVE IS THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE FOR GOOD THAT EXISTS. IT’S BEEN AROUND FROM ETERINITY PAST AN WILL BE FOR ETERNITY FUTURE. LOVE’S SOURCE IS GOD. LOVE’S EXAMPLE IS JESUS. LOVE’S REPRESENTATIVE IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS YOU.
Discussion Questions
1. Are you known as a loving person? Have you learned how to love the people in your church family? Have you learned how to love your neighbor? Have you learned how to love your enemy?
2. How has the Church failed to love well? Why doesn’t this passage carry more weight in the life and teaching of the Church? How have you struggled to keep this truth central in your own life?
