Love Binds Church Members Together 1 Corinthians 13:1 – 13

How do we resolve the two different themes of one and many from 1 Corinthians 12?

Love is the glue that binds church members together in Christ. Main Idea: Love is the glue that binds church members together in Christ.

13:1-3 Love is the glue, because without love our actions are in vain. Without love, Paul says we are: A noisy sound (v. 1) Nothing (v. 2) Profiting for nothing (v. 3)

13:4-7 Love is the glue, because love is the giving up of oneself in patience for others to benefit in Christ’s righteousness. Love is described with 3 positives and 8 negatives. Love is all-encompassing: every believer with any spiritual gift is to operate with love. Unifying aspect of love: put the self out of the way.

13:8-13 Love is the glue, because love will endure beyond earthly time. Love never comes to an end (v. 8). One day, the spiritual gifts will pass away (v. 8). We know in part now (v. 9). Jesus Christ will come and be revealed (v. 10).

13:8-13 (continued) 3 items are in the current time and will remain (v. 13): Faith – Heb. 11:1 – substance of things hoped for, certain of what we do not see Hope – 1 Pet. 1:3 – new birth into a living hope, a confident expectation Love – the greatest of the 3 Faith will be made sight. Hope will be realized.

The act of giving is rooted in the character of God and Christ, and as redeemed persons, we will have that same heart to give of ourselves.

Application Realize you are on the same team, and Jesus is our Head. Cultivate love by looking to give of yourself to promote holiness in others. Prayer for others including your pastor. Manner of talking to others and how you respond to others.