ICEL Love 1 Corinthians 13 ICEL 9 June 2013

ICEL Love This sermon is a reminder of what you already know. It s a very simple message, with a question. How are you doing in your love life or in your life of love ?

ICEL Arguments Paul is dealing with the church in Corinth about spiritual gifts. There is confusion over the gifts – especially over speaking in tongues. Paul says that all the gifts are needed, but God gives the gifts as he determines (1 Cor 12:11) Although the gifts are needed, there is the the most excellent way.

ICEL Scripture text: 1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

ICEL Nothing Paul says that we can do nothing that lasts without love. Languages (of men and of angels) Knowledge of everything (prophecy, mysteries) Extraordinary faith (that changes impossible situations) Giving to others (to the point of self-immolation)

ICEL Scripture text: 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

ICEL What Love Does Love is a mystery. What is it? Paul doesn t tell us what love is; he tells us what it does. (C.K. Barrett) Patient – long-suffering; it puts up with others Kind – does good to those who do harm

ICEL What Love Isn t Isn t proud – isn t puffed up Isn t rude – never treats someone unfairly Isn t self-seeking – doesn t seek what doesn t belong to it; prepared to give up what belongs to it for the sake of others Isn t easily angered – isn t touchy

ICEL What Love Doesn t Do Envy – rejoices in other people s success Boast – doesn t brag (compare this to the controversy in Corinth) Doesn t keep records – doesn t plot revenge; takes evil upon itself to dispose of it. Doesn t delight in evil – takes no pleasure in the censure of others or in a feeling of superiority.

ICEL What Love Does Rejoices with the truth – rejoices with others at what is right Protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres – always believes that best about people; never loses faith Always loves! – no rebuff or hardship makes love cease to be love

ICEL Scripture text: 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (1)

ICEL Scripture text: behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (2)

ICEL Forever Only love lasts forever. God has been replaced in our culture by love. When someone dies we say that s/he remains in our hearts. Love is the only thing that lasts, that grounds our value and existence. That is not what I mean. We can take nothing else to heaven. Only those things done in love (ultimately) matter.

ICEL Christian Love To love is human. But Christian love is revealed in Christ. In his life, work, healings, interactions, suffering, death and resurrection Love is the mark of a Christian.

ICEL Scripture text: 34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. John 13:34-35

ICEL Two Lists PatientEnvies KindBoasts ProtectsProud TrustsRude HopesSelf-seeking PerseveresEasily Angered Never FailsRemembers wrongs

ICEL Evangelism Love is a good way to share your faith. Love as Christ loved us. People will see; they will know that you are different. This kind of love is rare.

ICEL Remember Love is the mark of a Christian. Love God, neighbor, and self. Nothing else matters ultimately in life.