The Pre-eminence of Love

Memory Verse: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” I Cor 13:13

Text: I Cor 13:13 The more excellent Way. I Cor 12:31 Love is the heartbeat of the Church A beautiful church without love is like a beautiful lady without a heart or a beautiful car without gas.

Paul’s Concern: Attitude > Altitude Behavior > Business in Church Character > Charisma Devotion > Duty

Question: What Central Truth did Paul emphasize in this chapter?

1. Priority of Love to Spiritual Gifts – I Cor 3:1-3 Types of Love: Eros, Philia, Agape All combined in marriage. Agape (Christ-like) emphasized in church.

Rom 5:5-8 Unconditional – Not for gain Sacrificial – Beyond convenience Decisional/Commitment “The nails didn’t keep Jesus on the cross, His love for you did…”

Question: What Kind of Love is Paul talking about here and how did Christ exemplify it?

Question: Identify the gifts the Corinthian Church manifested without love (in our text)

2. Properties of True Love – I Cor 13; 4-7 Suffers long; Endurance, Forbearance and Tolerance Kind; Tender, Giver, Helper Envies Not; not jealous or covetous “if you are always intimidated by another man’s success, watch yourself..”

Properties (Continued…) Vaunteth not; “Love doesn’t brag and drag all attention to itself” Not Puffed off; not Proud (not even of your humility) Don’t behave unseemly (rude, unpolite, mindful of others’ feelings)

Properties (Continued…) Seeketh not her own (Unselfish, Not tribalistic or “churchistic”. Not easily provoked. (not hot-tempered) Thinketh no evil – death/failure of others Rejoiceth not in sin (not lustful, immoral)

Properties (Continued…) Rejoiceth in Truth – True Love Corrects. Beareth all things – Protect others’ weaknesses. Believeth all things – not gullible but not suspicious Hopeth all things (In God’s promises)

Properties (Continued…) Endureth all things: like the military guards at the tomb of the unknown soldiers

Question : 1 Peter 4:8; How can love cover the multitude of sin?

3. The Perseverance and Supremacy of Love 1 Cor 13:8-13 Gifts fade; Love lasts Love perfects. I John 4;18 Love matures. “Love is the hallmark of spiritual maturity”. Put away childish things.

Love clears your vision. Luke 10:29 - The Good Samaritan Love is the greatest. I Cor 13:13 Love is the heartbeat of a Christian Vital signs: Faith, Hope, Love (the most crucial - the heart/pulse)

I John 4:7 God is Love You cannot have true Love without God; and you cannot have God and not have Love. The more of God; the more of Love

Conclusion: How much of God do you have? How much of Love do you have? Remember Love is an action word. Show us love to someone everyday.