Embracing Love: A Command for Transformation
Summary
As we embark on a new year, the word that has been impressed upon my heart is "love." In a world increasingly marked by anger, hostility, and division, the call of Jesus to love one another stands as a radical and transformative command. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you." This love is not optional; it is a commandment that distinguishes us as His disciples. As the world grows harsher, our calling to love will make us more distinct, offering a glimpse of a community united across differences.
The journey of growing in love is one that we can all embark on, and it is a journey that the Holy Spirit empowers us to undertake. Over the next four weeks, we will explore why we need to grow in love and how we can practically do so. Today, we begin by examining the first three verses of 1 Corinthians 13, which provide three compelling reasons to pursue love.
Firstly, love enables us to use our gifts effectively. Paul lists several gifts, such as eloquent speech, spiritual experiences, a brilliant mind, outstanding achievements, unusual generosity, and courageous commitment. Each gift, while valuable, carries its own temptations. Without love, eloquent speech becomes mere noise, spiritual experiences lead to isolation, a brilliant mind fosters pride, achievements breed arrogance, generosity becomes a duty, and commitment turns into resentment. Love transforms these gifts, allowing them to be used for the glory of God and the benefit of others.
Paul's personal example underscores the importance of love. Despite his remarkable gifts and achievements, he acknowledges that without love, he is nothing. This realization is a call for us to seek a fresh outpouring of faith, hope, and love in our lives and in the church. Love is at the heart of God's call to us and His work for us. It is through the love of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that we are transformed and empowered to love others.
Key Takeaways:
1. Love is a commandment from Jesus, not an option. It is the distinguishing mark of His disciples, setting us apart in a world filled with division and hostility. As we grow in love, we become a community that transcends differences, reflecting the unity and love of Christ. [02:07]
2. Every gift we possess carries its own temptation. Without love, eloquent speech becomes noise, spiritual experiences lead to isolation, and a brilliant mind fosters pride. Love is the key that transforms these gifts, allowing them to be used effectively for God's glory and the benefit of others. [06:44]
3. Spiritual experiences, while valuable, can tempt us to withdraw into isolation. Love moves us towards others, preventing spiritual isolation and fostering genuine community. It is through love that we fulfill our calling to be in relationship with others. [12:50]
4. Achievements and accomplishments, though significant, can lead to pride if not tempered by love. Love reminds us that our successes are by God's grace, enabling us to celebrate the achievements of others and serve with humility. [19:13]
5. Sacrifices made without love gain nothing. Love frees us from resentment towards those who have chosen different paths and enables us to serve with joy and without regret. It is love that empowers us to make sacrifices for Christ and His people. [25:08]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Introduction to the New Year
[00:48] - The Call to Love
[01:29] - Love as a Commandment
[02:39] - Distinctiveness of Christian Love
[03:15] - Growing in Love
[04:05] - 1 Corinthians 13 Overview
[04:38] - Love and Effective Use of Gifts
[05:13] - The Gift of Eloquence
[06:44] - Temptations of Gifts
[09:28] - Spiritual Experiences
[12:50] - Isolation vs. Community
[15:57] - Achievements and Pride
[19:13] - Generosity and Love
[22:23] - Courageous Commitment
[25:08] - Sacrifices and Resentment
[32:19] - Invitation to Grow in Love
[35:37] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul say about the value of eloquent speech without love in 1 Corinthians 13:1? How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on the temptation of using gifts without love? [07:48]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the temptations associated with spiritual experiences, and how does love help overcome them? [12:50]
3. How does Paul describe the relationship between achievements and love in 1 Corinthians 13:2, and what example from the sermon illustrates this point? [19:13]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the potential pitfalls of generosity without love, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:3? [21:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the transformative power of love in using our gifts effectively? Why is love essential for the proper use of spiritual gifts? [09:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love can prevent spiritual isolation and foster genuine community among believers? [12:50]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the danger of pride in achievements, and what role does love play in maintaining humility? [19:29]
4. What insights does the sermon provide about the relationship between sacrifice and love, and how can love prevent resentment towards others? [25:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you used your gifts without love. How did it affect your relationships and effectiveness? What steps can you take to ensure love guides your actions in the future? [09:09]
2. Consider a spiritual experience you’ve had. Did it lead you towards isolation or community? How can you use love to connect more deeply with others in your faith community? [12:50]
3. Think about a recent achievement. Did it lead to pride or humility? How can you practice love to celebrate others’ successes as much as your own? [19:29]
4. Have you ever given generously out of duty rather than love? How did it feel? What changes can you make to give with joy and freedom? [21:32]
5. Reflect on a sacrifice you’ve made for your faith. Did it lead to resentment or joy? How can love help you serve with joy and without regret? [25:08]
6. Identify someone in your life with whom you have deep disagreements. How can you grow in love towards them, and what practical steps can you take to bridge the gap? [02:58]
7. As you embark on this new year, what specific commitment can you make to grow in love, and how will you hold yourself accountable to this commitment? [32:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Love as a Distinctive Mark
Love is not merely a suggestion but a commandment from Jesus, distinguishing His followers in a world rife with division and hostility. This love transcends differences, uniting believers into a community that reflects the unity and love of Christ. As the world becomes increasingly harsh, the call to love becomes more radical and transformative, setting believers apart as they embody the love of Jesus. This love is not passive but active, requiring intentionality and commitment to live out the commandment to love one another. [02:07]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life do you find difficult to love, and how can you take a step today to show them the love of Christ?
Day 2: Love Transforms Our Gifts
Every gift we possess carries its own temptation, and without love, these gifts can become distorted. Eloquent speech can turn into mere noise, spiritual experiences can lead to isolation, and a brilliant mind can foster pride. Love is the key that transforms these gifts, allowing them to be used effectively for God's glory and the benefit of others. By grounding our gifts in love, we ensure they serve their true purpose and reflect the heart of God. [06:44]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What gift has God given you that you need to use more lovingly, and how can you start doing that today?
Day 3: Love Prevents Spiritual Isolation
Spiritual experiences, while valuable, can tempt us to withdraw into isolation. Love moves us towards others, preventing spiritual isolation and fostering genuine community. It is through love that we fulfill our calling to be in relationship with others, ensuring that our spiritual journey is not a solitary one but a shared experience that builds up the body of Christ. [12:50]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you reach out to someone in your community today to encourage them and build a stronger connection?
Day 4: Love Tempers Pride in Achievements
Achievements and accomplishments, though significant, can lead to pride if not tempered by love. Love reminds us that our successes are by God's grace, enabling us to celebrate the achievements of others and serve with humility. By recognizing that our accomplishments are not solely our own, we can maintain a posture of gratitude and humility, giving glory to God for all that we achieve. [19:13]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: What recent achievement are you proud of, and how can you acknowledge God's role in it while celebrating others' successes?
Day 5: Love Empowers Sacrificial Service
Sacrifices made without love gain nothing. Love frees us from resentment towards those who have chosen different paths and enables us to serve with joy and without regret. It is love that empowers us to make sacrifices for Christ and His people, ensuring that our service is not burdensome but a joyful expression of our faith and commitment to God's kingdom. [25:08]
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one sacrifice you can make this week for someone else, motivated by love rather than obligation?
Quotes
Jesus said a new commandment I give to you that you love one another just as I have loved you so also you are to love one another by this all people will know that you are my disciples that you love one another love is to be the distinguishing Mark of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and this is not an option notice it's a commandment a new commandment I give to you the Lord Jesus says I command you that you are to love one another that's what he is saying so that by this everyone all people will know that you really are my disciples. [00:99:60]
Paul says if I give all that I have now God calls all of us to be generous but some people have a special calling and a special ability in this regard and if God has put it into your heart to be generous be as generous as you possibly can but remember that every gift carries its own hidden temptation and the temptation to those who give generously is that it is possible to give simply as a matter of Duty it's possible to give in order to make an impression it's possible to give as a means of exercise and control you can give Without Love. [00:1236:419]
The big Temptation Of course for the person who is able to articulate a persuasive argument is to bully it's to oppress it's to intimidate it's to shout the other person down it's to be self-opinionated and overbearing now you don't need me to tell you that we live at a time in which discourse conversation is becoming increasingly angry and divisive people have discovered that if you use outrageous and inflammatory language you get more attention from people who agree with you. [00:414:24]
If I speak with the tongue of men and of angels but have not love I am a noisy gong and a clanging symbol eloquent speech Without Love is a cacophony of noise people can put up with it for a Time but eventually the noise like a symbol that just keeps reverberating and never stops it becomes unrelenting and unbearable and people feel then that they need to get away from it always remember that it is possible to win an argument and lose a friend and that's never a good deal. [00:467:4]
The Temptation that comes with spiritual experience is the temptation to withdraw I have to tell you I know this temptation in my own life there's a part of me that would be very happy to retire into a private world where I could just spend unlimited time with my books pondering the scripture sitting in a chair enjoying the thrill of seeing something I had never seen before with no pressure and no deadline you'll be able to come up with a parallel to that in your world as well. [00:672:959]
Isolation is the death of love withdrawing into the world of your own private experience will be of no value to you and it will be of no value to anyone else but growing in love oh if you grow in love it will keep you from spiritual isolation and here's what growing in love will do it will move you towards other believers. [00:765:8]
Some people have been blessed with brilliant mind and over time they acquire vast sums of knowledge some people are blessed with profound insight into what is mysterious and perplexing to others so that they are able to help the rest of us when we find ourselves uncertain and Confused a brilliant mind is a marvelous gift and if God has given that gift to you develop it to the full use it to bring blessing and help to others in every way that you possibly can. [00:821:16]
Love is what enables a person to achieve great things and then still to serve with humility love reminds a believer that his calling to move one mountain may not be the calling of another believer who may be called to move another Mountain and love will enable you to find joy in the achievements of others as much as you find achievement a joy in the achievements of your own. [00:1162:08]
The obvious temptation to those who accomplish great things is the temptation to Pride the feeling that what has been accomplished was the result of your own power James Denny gives this warning to postures as well as to those who are successful in business let me quote what he says this the sense May steal upon a man's mind that his commanding personality is that to which circumstances yield his practical capacity is that which transmits force and sees that work is done and when that happens then he says All Is Lost. [00:1055:46]
The more committed you become the more you will be tempted to resent those who don't show the same measure of commitment that you do but it is love that will set you free from this kind of resentment it is love that will enable you to say what I do I do for the Lord Jesus Christ and for his people and though it be costly I have no regrets love will enable you to say that courageous commitment is a marvelous gift but only if it is exercised with love. [00:1559:0]
The Apostle Paul gave himself to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ freely he often worked as a Tent Maker by day then giving himself to Ministry at night why so that he did not have to impose a financial burden on newly formed churches by asking people to support him and then think about this man's courage Shipwrecked beaten with rods repeatedly arrested and imprisoned you could hardly have a more gifted committed generous courageous person than the Apostle Paul. [00:1824:48]
I am wholly persuaded that the greatest need of the church today is a fresh outpouring of faith hope and love and in as much as that happens the world will see something radically different that could only have come from the hand of Jesus you may be wondering where could I find love like this maybe you're thinking I've Never Been Loved like this maybe the very mention of the word love makes you feel something that you lack. [00:1964:159]
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