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When you think of love you think of a subject that has been defined in many different ways. Robert Pollock said, "Love is friendship set to music." One has said, "Love is the fairest bloom in God's garden." Still another has said, "Love is the medicine for the sickness of the world." It has been said that, "Love is the one treasure that multiplies by division. It is the one gift that grows bigger the more you take from it. It is the one business in which it pays to be an absolute spendthrift. You can give it away, throw it away, empty your pockets, shake the basket, turn the glass upside down, and tomorrow you will have more than ever." Again, there are many definitions and descriptions of love. In my opinion the greatest definition and description of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. This is a portion that has been called "The Hymn of Love." It has also been called a lyrical interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount as well as the Beatitudes set to music. It is the great love chapter of the Bible. Yet it is important to understand that even though its great theme is love, it is still a continuation of Paul's discussion of spiritual gifts. Warren Wiersbe said: "Few chapters in the Bible have suffered more misunderstanding and misapplication than 1 Corinthians 13. Divorced from its context, it becomes "a hymn to love" or a sentimental sermon on Christian brotherhood. Many people fail to see that Paul was still dealing with the Corinthian's problems when he wrote these words…" 1 Love has well been defined as the "circulatory system" of the body of Christ. 2 Nowhere do we see such a definition better illustrated than in 1 Corinthians 13. Let's notice this great chapter and consider this circulatory system of the body of Christ. 1. THE VALUES THAT LOVE DESIRES When Paul concludes chapter 12 he is actually introducing chapter 13. We read in chapter 12:31, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." Paul paves the way for all he will say about love by explaining that love is to accompany spiritual gifts. The Corinthian believers did not come behind in any gift, but they were sadly lacking in love. Paul wanted them to understand that love is to be behind the operation of the gifts. A. THE EXCELLENCY THAT LOVE SEEKS In verse 31 Paul speaks of the desires that are expressed when there is love. The words "covet earnestly" do not speak of a person seeking certain spiritual gifts from God. That would be contrary to all Paul has said about gifts. Paul has previously made it clear that spiritual gifts are not chosen but assigned and distributed by God. We read in 12:11, "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." We do not come to God asking for this gift and that gift. Gifts are distributed according to the will of God for our life. The words "covet earnestly" mean, "to have a strong affection towards, to be ardently devoted to." Paul makes it clear that we are to have a strong affection or and a great devotion to are "the best gifts." The gifts that he refers to are those that have a continuing ministry to the church. We will learn from chapter 13 that there are certain gifts that are of a temporary nature, while others have a lasting importance to the Church. It is those gifts that have a lasting ministry to the church that are to be focused upon. In verse 31 Paul continues, "yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." As I said, the Corinthian believers were making a big deal out of certain spiritual gifts, but were sadly lacking in love. Paul was saying that there is a more excellent way of using spiritual gifts. When love is present such an excellence is desired. Love does not seek division and the mistreatment of others as was so prominent in the church of Corinth. It seeks the more excellent way of using ones spiritual gifts. It is a way in which all are blessed by the use of gifts. B. THE EDIFICATION THAT LOVE SEEKS This more excellent way that is sought is the edification of others. When the spiritual gifts are used in love it is profitable and beneficial to all. To illustrate this point, Paul uses some hypothetical situations in 13:1-3. Each of these illustrations are identified by the words "though I." We read: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." In verse one Paul says, "I can speak with great eloquence of language, but if I have not love I am nothing more than a banging and clanging sound." The word "tongues" that he uses in verse 1 is not necessarily referring to the gift of tongues. He is simply talking about language. He was saying that if he spoke in the highest eloquence of human language and even in a heavenly language, if there was not love it was nothing more than noise. In verse 2 he refers to the gift of prophecy, which he would later call the greatest of gifts. Paul said that if he had great understanding and knowledge of all spiritual truth; and as well have faith that could move mountains, if there was not love, "I am nothing." The words, "I am nothing" literally mean, "I am a nobody." Paul says that without love, no one is edified, and he would be as a nobody. In verse 3 Paul goes on to say that if I gave everything I had away to help the poor, or gave my life in the ultimate sacrifice as a martyr, yet if all that I did was not without love, "it profiteth me nothing." It does not edify or profit me or anyone else. The point is clear. When spiritual gifts are used in love the more excellent way that is sought is the spiritual benefit and edification of others. These are the values that love seeks. Spiritual gifts are important, but their being operated in love is even more important. It is not only important what you do, but why you do it. 2. THE VICES THAT LOVE DISCARDS In verses 4-7 Paul gives us a list of the qualities of love. We read, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; [6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." In this list we see what is present when there is love and what is absent when there is love. Let's notice what is absent when there is love. When we really love there are certain things we will discard. A. ENVY WILL BE DISCARDED In verse 4 we read, "Charity envieth not." Love does not begrudge what others have. It does not produce a jealous, envious, bitter spirit when others are blessed. B. CONCEIT WILL BE DISCARDED. In verse 4 we read, "Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." Love makes no parade, gives itself no airs. Love knows nothing about a spirit that is always demanding attention and that must be recognized and applauded. Love is content to serve without any praise or recognition. C. RUDENESS WILL BE DISCARDED In verse 5 we read, "Doth not behave itself unseemly." Love is not rude. When there is love there is always thoughtful consideration of the feelings of others so that neither word or deed causes hurt or injury. D. SELFISHNESS WILL BE DISCARDED In verse 5 we read that love, "seeketh not her own." Love does not put oneself above the needs of others. E. IRRITABILITY WILL BE DISCARDED In verse 5 we also see that love, "is not easily provoked." Love is not touchy, resentful, quick to take offence. F. REVENGE WILL BE DISCARDED In verse 5 we see that love, "thinketh no evil." The word "thinketh" is a word used for keeping accounts. Love does not keep little black books. G. MALICE WILL BE DISCARDED In verse 6 we see that love, "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." Love is not glad when others go astray. Love knows nothing about gossip. Love knows nothing the destruction of reputations. 3. THE VIRTUES LOVE DISPLAYS Whereas there are some things that are absent when there is love, there are some things that are present when there is love. A. PATIENCE WILL BE PRESENT We read in verse 4, "Charity suffereth long." Love is very patient. B. KINDNESS WILL BE PRESENT Verse 4 adds that love, "is kind." There is a gentleness about love. The fear of love is hurting and the aim of love is helping. C. ENDURANCE WILL BE PRESENT In verse 7 we read that love, "Beareth all things." Love holds on and holds out. D. CONFIDENCE WILL BE PRESENT In verse 7 we read that love, "believeth all things." Love believes the best about people. E. HOPEFULNESS WILL BE PRESENT In verse 7 we see that love, "hopeth all things." When it seems all grounds are lost love still has hope. F. PERSISTENCY WILL BE PRESENT
Finally in verse 7 we see that love, "endureth
all things." Love just keeps on loving. Now you can imagine the
difference it would have made in the church is love had been present. |