I Corinthians The Church, Then and Now Welcome Session 21 Excellence Chapter 13: 1-13

I Corinthians The Church, Then and Now Excellence 1Review Basics 2Application to Corinthians 3Christian Excellence Today

Excellence I and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 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. 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. I Cor.12:31b-13:2 KJV

Excellence I 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. 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; I Cor.13:3-5 KJV

Excellence I Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. I Cor.13:6-9 KJV

Excellence I But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. I Cor.13:10-11 KJV

Excellence I For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. I Cor.13:12-13 KJV

I Corinthians 13:1-13 The Church, Then and Now Basics God’s love is the foundation for all Christian life values. Christian love is the unique identifier of God’s people. Storge, Philia, Eros and Agape Love enriches, edifies and endures.

Corinthians’ Issue 1 1:10-12 Problem: Division along teacher lines Cause:Saw Gospel as philosophy Cure:Love message first, messenger second

Corinthians’ Issue 2 3:1-3 Problem:Immaturity Cause:Self-conceit Cure:Understanding God’s unfailing love will cause humility

Corinthians’ Issue 3 5:1-2 Problem:Sin not disciplined Cause:Corporate pride of freedom Cure:Apply Godly love to restore fallen brother

Corinthians’ Issue 4 6:1-2 Problem:Christians suing one another Cause:Greed or selfishness Cure:

If A = B, and A = C, then B = C God (in me) is the Holy Ghost.A = B God is Love.A = C Therefore: The Holy Ghost is Love.B = C If C = 0, then B = 0 No Love = No Holy Ghost

Corinthians’ Issue 4 6:1-2 Problem:Christians suing one another Cause:Greed or selfishness Cure:Be filled with the Holy Ghost

Corinthians’ Issue 5 6:9 Problem:Immorality Cause:Controlled by lusts of the flesh Cure:Honour God with body, soul, and spirit

Corinthians’ Issue 6 7:1-40 Problem:Marriage issues Cause:Poor understanding of Godly principles, scriptural teaching Cure:Marrieds, stay married. Singles, marry in the LORD.

Corinthians’ Issue 7 8:1-13 Problem:Christian liberty misused Cause:Behaviour based on knowledge alone Cure:Balance knowledge with love

Corinthians’ Issue 8 11:4-5 Problem:Role of women in public worship confused Cause:Women not conforming to God’s planned role for them Cure:Women obey God’s order by following cultural norms

Corinthians’ Issue 9 11:21 Problem:Discrimination by wealthy Cause:Secular society influence Cure:Focus on demonstrating love

Corinthians’ Issue 10 11:29-30 Problem:God’s judgment: sickness and/ or death Cause:Partaking of LORD’s supper unworthily Cure:Each Christian examine himself and repent of sin

Corinthians’ Issue 11 12:12-27 Problem:Diversity and unity unbalanced Cause:Personal pride for individual role or ministry Cure:Members have same care for one another (as for themselves)

Corinthians’ Issue 12 13:1-3 Problem:Uselessness of spiritual gifts and charitable acts Cause:Actions without love Cure:Love never fails

Corinthians’ Issue 13 14:1-5, Problem:Personal edification (tongues) over edification of others (prophecy) Cause:Selfishness Cure:Excel in edification

Corinthians’ Issue 14 15:12-34 Problem:Denial of resurrection of dead Cause:Secularism Cure:Salvation experience, Old Testament scriptures, eye witnesses of resurrected Christ, glorified body

Christian Excellence Today Loving The fruit of the Spirit is Love Living Holiness / Godliness / Separation Chapter 13 LOW HIGH High Living in Love