'THE GREATEST GIFT'



"THE GREATEST GIFT"

1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-8, 13

INTRO: Each believer has the Spirit of God dwelling within them. Romans

5:5 says, "…hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is

shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

That Spirit in us means God's presence, God's power, and God's

purpose is available for each of us to serve God. God has given to

many wonderful gifts. Salvation, spiritual gifts, and security in our

lives, but as great as these are; they are not the greatest gift that has

been given to us. God's love is! For without God's love, Salvation

would not have been possible. Without salvation there would be no

gifts of the Spirit, and without salvation there is no hope, so there is

no security!

1 John 4:8b-10 says, "...God is love. In this was manifested the love

of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the

world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved

God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our

sins." The GREATEST GIFT IS LOVE! I want us to look tonight at

"The Greatest Gift!" Someone has penned these words, "Love is giving

freely, expecting nothing in return. Law concerns itself with an

equitable exchange, this for that. Law is made necessary by people;

Love is made possible by God." (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring

Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 117).

1 Corinthians 13:13 says—“And now abideth faith, hope, charity,

these three; but the greatest of these is charity." Love is the greatest

gift of all! In our text, the apostle Paul addresses the Church of

Corinth which placed greater emphasis on one spiritual gift than

another saying one was better than another. Each gift is important,

but no matter the gift it must be exercised by love! If the gift is not

animated by Love, then it becomes mere duty! All that we do for

Christ and His kingdom must be done out of love!

There are 4 areas I want us to explore this evening concerning love.

First of all, THE EXCLAMATION OF LOVE, secondly, THE

EXPRESSION OF LOVE, thirdly, THE ESSENTIALS OF LOVE, and

finally, THE ETERNALITY OF LOVE.

(1) THE EXCLAMATION OF LOVE

1 CORINTHIANS 13:1—“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.”

A. THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE. If a man could speak all the languages of the

earth, and that with the greatest propriety, elegance, and fluency, if he

could talk like an angel, and yet be without charity, it would be all empty

noise, mere unharmonious and useless sound, that would neither profit or

delight. (Matthew Henry. Matthew Henry’s Commentary. Volume 6. p. 572).

1 Peter 4:11 tells us—“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of

God, if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that

God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise

and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Whatever we say should be said out of love or else it becomes mere

senseless chatter! (Colossians 4:6). If one's special gift is the ability to

speak and it makes them critical, censorious (fault-finding), and proud, it

certainly is not a gift of the Holy Spirit. The Bible makes that clear. (M. R.

DeHaan. Studies in First Corinthians. p. 161). Galatians 5:22-23 tells us—

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,

goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" HOW

DO WE SPEAK IN LOVE? :

• DON'T CRITICIZE. Someone said, “If criticizing gives you pain, then do it; if it gives you the slightest pleasure, keep your mouth shut.” (Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations. WORDsearch 7.0. Copyright 2007. WORDsearch corp. All Rights Reserved).

• DON'T CONDEMN. 1 Peter 4:8 commands us—“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” Friends, if we loved each other more we would condemn each other less! The world hates God’s people this should motivate each of us to cling to one another in love.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:29-30—“Let no corrupt communication

proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that

it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of

God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” I want you to take

special notice of the word "corrupt" in v29. It is translated from a Greek

word that means "worthless".

B. THE LAW OF LOVE. Not only does love have a LANGUAGE but also a

LAW. Romans 12:9 gives us THE LAW OF LOVE—“Let love be without

dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

"Love does not parade the imperfections of other or taunt people for their

weaknesses. Rather love seeks to understand others-their imperfections

and weaknesses" (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary &

Classical. p. 121). Someone has said, "The Lord's Army is the only army

that shoots its wounded."

We should all pray each day—“Let the words of my mouth, and the

meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and

my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14).

(2) THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE

1 CORINTHIANS 13:2-3—“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. 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.”

A. THE MANIFESTATION OF LOVE. Paul mentions many gifts in these

verses and the exercising of them but says if I “have not charity, it profiteth

me nothing.”

ILLUS: Love provides the basis for all the spiritual gifts exercised in the

church body. Love connects every act with God and makes our

actions and gifts useful. Although people have different gifts,

expressing God's love should be the ultimate purpose of every gift.

When you ask God for more love, realize that part of the answer

comes in the form of spiritual gifts. When you ask God to show you

your spiritual gifts, his answer will include a new awareness of the

people around you who need his love. (Life Application Bible

Commentary. WORDsearch 7.0. Copyright 2007. WORDsearch

corp. All Rights Reserved).

How must we express our love? By serving Christ and others out of love

for our Lord and love for fellowmen! (Galatians 5:13-15). "Love is the

identifying mark of Christianity. In a world of hate, envy, and anger, Love

sticks out like a healthy thumb. When any one walks away from an

encounter with us, that person should remember our Love, not our

Contemporary & Classical. p. 120). The apostle Paul says, "If I had all the

gifts of the Spirit: prophecy-to understand all mysteries, and all knowledge

to know the mind of God, and have a faith so great that I could remove

mountains, and have not love, I am NOTHING!"

To the world, the understanding of prophecies, the gaining of knowledge,

and the faith to move mountains is wonderful; but to God, one act of

charity is of far greater worth!

B. THE MANNER OF LOVE. Our AIM, as believers, is to glorify God, not man!

1 Corinthians 10:31—“Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Paul

continues, "If I give all I have to feed the poor, and though I give my body as

a sacrifice to be burned, and have not love, it profit me nothing; it is

useless!"

Philippians 1:21 says—“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Christ's

life was a life of love! This became the motto of Paul's life. Because he had

been shown love by Christ, he desired to express that love to others! WE

MUST DO THE SAME! Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us—“Be ye therefore

followers of God as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved

us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a

sweetsmelling savor.” Someone has wrote these words, "I'd rather see a

sermon than to hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me;

than merely show the way." --Edgar Guest (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring

Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 35).

We have considered THE EXCLAMATION OF LOVE and THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE but let us also see…

(3) THE ESSENTIALS OF LOVE

1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7—“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity

envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

*These are the REQUIREMENTS of Love:

A. LOVE IS LONG-SUFFERING (v4a)—“Charity suffereth long…”. Love can

suffer evil, injury, and provocation without being filled with resentment,

indignation, or revenge. (Matthew Henry. Matthew Henry’s Commentary.

Volume 6. p. 573). Paul tells us Ephesians 4:1-3—“I therefore, the

prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation

wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with

longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity

of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” What does patient love among believers

look like? Such love bears with certain annoyances or inconveniences

without complaint. Such love does not lose its temper when provoked.

Such love steadily perseveres. Without love, no matter how wonderful the

gifts in the church, people will be impatient with one another, short-

tempered, and irritable. (Life Application Bible Commentary. WORDsearch

7.0. Copyright 2007. WORDsearch corp. All Rights Reserved). Many

believers today if they don’t get their way on a certain matter are ready to

throw in the towel. Love is not petty and rises above pettiness!

B. LOVE IS KIND (v4b)—“Charity…is kind…”. The word “kind” used here is

translated from a Greek word which means "gracious and willing to show

one's self useful and benevolent." (2 Peter 1:2-8). What does this kindness

look like? :

• IT TAKES THE INITIATIVE.

• IT IS HELPFUL.

• IT IS PEACEFUL.

• IT ALWAYS SHOWS COMPASSION.

C. LOVE IS UNENVYING (v4c)—“Charity…envieth not…”. Love is not grieved

at the good of others; neither at their gifts nor at their good qualities.

(Matthew Henry. Matthew Henry’s Commentary. Volume 6. p. 573). James

3:13-18 tells us—“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among

you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of

wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not,

and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is

earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion

and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then

peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,

without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is

sown in peace of them that make peace.” Envy is a terrible sin! Someone

has said, “A person is truly great when he is not envious of his rival's

success.” (Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian

World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry #3206).

Jealously and rivalry are tearing the Church apart today and making our

influence for Christ of no effect in this world.

ILLUS: Two shopkeepers were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly

across the street from each other, and they would spend each day

keeping track of each other's business. If one got a customer, he

would smile in triumph at his rival. One night an angel appeared

to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, "I will give you

anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will

receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich,

but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and

healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier.

What is your desire?" The man frowned, thought for a moment,

and then said, "Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!"

One sign of jealousy is when it's easier to show sympathy and

"weep with those who weep" than it is to exhibit joy and "rejoice

with those who rejoice." (Thomas Lindberg, Stevens Point,

Wisconsin. Leadership, Vol. 6, no. 4).

D. LOVE IS NOT PROUD AND BOASTFUL (v4d)—“Charity vaunteth not itself,

is not puffed up…”. True love will give us an esteem for our brethren, and

raise our value for them; and this will limit our esteem of ourselves, and

prevent the tumors of self-conceit and arrogance (Matthew Henry. Matthew

Henry’s Commentary. Volume 6. p. 574). Romans 12:9-16—“Let love be

without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring

one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which

persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and

weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind

not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your

own conceits.” Philippians 2:3 says—“Let nothing be done through strife or

vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than

themselves.” Love should be honest and without hypocrisy…love should

lead to kindness and humility…” (Warren W. Wiersbe. Wiersbe’s Expository

Outlines on The New Testament. p. 401).

"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves"--

Dwight L. Moody (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary &

Classical. p. 165). When we are prideful about our talents and gifts we will

be unable to serve the Lord acceptable. Why? Our pride will get in the

way.

When we have love we will gladly use what talents and gifts that have been

given us to work together for the advancement of God’s kingdom.

E. LOVE IS DECENT (v5a)—[Charity] “Doth not behave itself unseemly…”.

Love does nothing that in men's eyes is vile or unclean. It does nothing out

of time or place. It is not for breaking order; Love will do nothing that mis-

becomes it! Those who truly love will always be careful to act worthy of

their calling before God. Love will not set out to humiliate people. Someone

has said, “Right thinking leads to right acting.” This is why it is so

important that we think on the right things. (Philippians 4:8).

F. LOVE IS UNSELFISH (v5b)—[Charity] “seeketh not her own…”. Love never

seeks it own to the hurt of others, or with the neglect of others. 1

Corinthians 10:24 says—“Let no man seek his own, but every man

another's wealth.” People who are self-seeking always want their own way.

They are selfish, self-centered, wanting what they think is best for them.

This is the opposite of love. Love (agape) looks out for others, seeks their

best interests, willingly gives up its own for the sake of another. A self-

seeking person may use his or her gifts but not with a serving attitude or a

desire to build the kingdom. Instead, the gifts are only used if they can

somehow benefit the self-seeking person. This is not God's way. Instead,

because of love, the believers use their gifts to benefit others first, without

"self" or selfish desires getting in the way. (Life Application Bible

Commentary. WORDsearch 7.0. Copyright 2007. WORDsearch corp. All

Rights Reserved).

G. LOVE IS UNRETALIATING (v5c)—[Charity] “ is not easily provoked…”.

Love is patient, forbearing; it doesn't look for revenge. It will never be angry

without cause! Anger cannot rest in the bosom where love reigns.

(Matthew Henry. Matthew Henry’s Commentary. Volume 6. p. 574). (James

1:18-20).

Peter asked the Lord, "How often should I forgive my brother that wronged

me, 7 times?" Jesus said, "No, 70 times 7!" In other words, don’t seek

revenge and don’t quit offering forgiveness! Love does not keep score cards

of wrongs. But is always looking to forgive.

ILLUS: To forgive someone involves three things. First, it means to forego

the right of striking back. One rejects the urge to repay gossip with

gossip and a bad turn with a worse turn. Second, it means

replacing the feeling of resentment and anger with good will, a love

which seeks the other's welfare, not harm. Third, it means the

forgiving person takes concrete steps to restore good relations.

(Alexander C. Dejong, Leadership, Vol. 4, no. 1).

H. LOVE DOES NOT THINK EVIL (v5d)—[Charity] “ thinketh no evil.” Love

cherishes no malice, nor seeks no revenge. It will see the best in people,

not think the worst! We read in Luke 7:36-39—“And one of the Pharisees

desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's

house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was

a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house,

brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him

weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the

hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within

himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and

what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.” Jesus

always looked for the best in people. He never felt Himself too good to

associate with someone. He treated all people fairly. He was no respecter of

persons. His people should be the same way. There should be no factions,

cliques, or schisms in the Church! All members should be treated fairly

with respect.

ILLUS: Someone has said, “Division has done more to hide Christ from the

view of all men than all the infidelity that has ever been spoken.”

-- George Macdonald. (As quoted in Bob Phillips, Phillips' Book of

Great Thoughts & Funny Sayings, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House

Publishers, Inc, 1993), p. 310).

I. LOVE IS JOYFUL AND REJOICING (v6)—[Charity] “Rejoiceth not in iniquity,

but rejoiceth in the truth.” Love rejoices not in sin, but in truth! It is for

justice for all men! It is TRUE LOVE not HYPOCRITICAL LOVE (Romans

12:9).

K. LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS AND ENDURES ALL THINGS (v7a, d)—

[Charity] “Beareth all things…endureth all things.” Love is said to do two

things here. Love:

• BEARS ALL THINGS (1 Peter 4:8). If I love you, I will overlook your faults! If I love you, I won't publish all your sins and mistakes to others, but privately come to you. But also if I love you I will try to protect you from embarrassment, gossip, or other harm aimed at you. When we truly love each other we will refuse harmful gossip and protect one another from those who would try to inflict upon us harm.

• ENDURES ALL THINGS. Real love perseveres. Because of Christ’s love within us we can bear up under anything! Love will always lead us to victory.

L. LOVE BELIEVETH ALL THINGS AND HOPETH ALL THINGS (v7b, c).

Love is apt to believe well of all men, to entertain a good opinion of them

when there is no appearance to the contrary. (Matthew Henry. Matthew

Henry’s Commentary. Volume 6. p. 574). Love gives the benefit of the

doubt. Those who love look always forward, not back. They are seeking for

growth and maturity in the Church realizing that God is working in every

true believer.

We have considered THE EXCLAMATION OF LOVE, THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE, and THE ESSENTIALS OF LOVE but finally let us see…

(4) THE ETERNALITY OF LOVE

1 CORINTHIANS 13:8a,13—“Charity never faileth…And now abideth

faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

A. LOVE NEVER FADES. In the original Greek the word translated "faileth"

means "to drop away." True love remains constant! True love will never

cease to have force or authority. Galatians 5:6 says—“For in Jesus Christ

neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which

worketh by love.” When something begins to fade it loses its power and

effectiveness but real love never fades!

B. LOVE NEVER FAILS. God promises, "Yea, I have loved thee with an

everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee" (Jeremiah

31:3). Friends, it is That quality of LOVE WE MUST SHOW OTHERS! Love

is permanent. There is no end to love!

CLOSING: God's people must be a loving people! We must show forth God's

love to a world in dire need of love! (John 13:34-35). 1 John 4:7

says—“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every

one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. "

The church grows closer to perfection through love: believers loving

Christ and one another; holding the truth in love; practicing the

truth because they love Him. "Building the body up in love" is the

way Eph. 4:16 puts it, and this is a ministry all of us share. Faith,

hope, love —these abide forever; and love is the greatest, for "God

is love" (1 John 3:18). (Warren W. Wiersbe. Wiersbe’s Expository

Outlines on The New Testament. p. 459).

Do you love the LORD Jesus Christ today? If so, you should love

others! Are you doing that? Our daily Prayer should be, "Lord,

help me to love others, as you love them!"

Prepared by Brother Bryan L. Browning, Pastor of Beechmont Baptist Church, Beechmont, KY for Sunday Evening, July 15, 2007

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