The Greatest of These

February 14, 2016

1 Corinthians 13

It’s Valentine’s Day—A day that has been set aside to celebrate LOVE. But, to celebrate love we must know what love is. Most secular definitions of love fall short of the essence of love.

“A deep devotion or affection” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary).

“An affection of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure” (Webster).

These definitions indicate love is an emotion, but love is more than a “sentimental feeling.”

The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). God doesn’t merely love — He is the very expression of love.

Love is more easily described than defined. You will not find a better description of “love” than 1 Corinthians 13—commonly called the “Love Chapter.” It’s description of love describes God. You could in- terchange the word “charity” to “God” or Jesus without doing any injustice to the text… It would tell you what God is like.

However, the word “love” is not found in 1 Corinthians 13 in a King James Bible. Instead, we read “charity,” which is a better word than love. You may experience love without charity, but you will never experience charity without love.

“Charity” is associated with conduct, not emotions. Notice “charity” is always active (vs. 4-8). Biblical love is not something that you profess—It is something you practice. It is not something that is merely said—It is some thing that is shown. 1 John 3:18—“Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in DEED and in truth.”

“Charity” is love in action / giving, especially as it related to those in the body of Christ.

Let’s look at what God says about “true love.”

I. See it’s EXCELLENCE (vs. 1-3).

A. How we SPEAK (v.1). Eloquence in speaking is just noise without charity. Adolph Hitler was a tremendous orator, but he had no love. TRUTH MUST BE SPOKEN IN LOVE (Eph. 4:15).

B. How we SERVE (v. 2)—Gifts of prophecy and knowledge without charity often leads to pride (cf. 8:1).

C. How we SACRIFICE (v. 3). It is possible to give without loving. If our giving is not motivated by charity, it profits us nothing.

1. Giving out of duty; giving of necessity; legalistic giving.

2. Giving to be seen of men (Matt.6:1-2).

3. Giving with the personal agenda or motive of selfish gain.

II. See it’s EXPRESSIONS (vs. 4-6).

A. POSITIVE expressions.

1. Charity is PATIENT (v.4), even when you feel like complain- ing (cf. Gal. 5:22). Charity is willing to suffer pain and trials a long time without resentment.

Difference between true love and infatuation—PATIENCE.

2. Charity is KIND (v.4), even when you feel like retaliating or speaking badly about another. “Kind” means to show yourself helpful and act benevolently.

3. Charity is TRUTHFUL and honest (v.6). Charity rejoices in the promotion and proclamation of truth. Does not LIE.

B. NEGATIVE expressions.