Embracing Selfless Love: The Divine Example

In exploring the essence of divine love, we turn to 1 Corinthians 13, which emphasizes that love does not seek its own. This is a stark contrast to human love, which often harbors selfish motives. When a boy claims to love a girl, he may be seeking something for himself, and vice versa. However, divine love, as exemplified by God, is selfless and sacrificial. The highest earthly example of such love is a mother's love for her newborn child, which is entirely selfless and giving. This love is not about what the child can offer but about the mother's unwavering care and sacrifice.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as preaching and healing, must be exercised in love, without seeking personal gain or recognition. Unfortunately, many today use these gifts to promote themselves, which is contrary to the nature of divine love. True love, as God demonstrates, is about serving others without seeking anything in return. This is the love that God pours into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, assuring us of His unwavering care and provision.

To truly love others, we must first love God above all else. This love for God enables us to love others selflessly. The path to such love involves walking the way of the cross, embracing self-denial, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us. This journey is not about seeking our own interests but about seeking the glory of God in all things.

In the church, we should strive to build a community where everyone is committed to not seeking their own interests. This creates a family of God where love and selflessness abound. The example of Jesus, who prepared breakfast for His disciples after His resurrection, shows us the importance of serving others quietly and humbly. As we seek to become more like Jesus, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us the hidden aspects of His life, guiding us to live in a way that pleases God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Divine love is selfless and does not seek its own. It is best exemplified by a mother's love for her newborn child, which is entirely giving and sacrificial. This is the love God has for us, and it is the love we are called to emulate. [02:12]
• 2. The gifts of the Holy Spirit must be exercised in love, without seeking personal gain. True love is about serving others without expecting anything in return, reflecting the nature of God's love for us. [03:04]
• 3. To love others properly, we must first love God above all else. This love for God enables us to love others selflessly and sacrificially, following the example of Jesus. [10:18]
• 4. The path to divine love involves walking the way of the cross, embracing self-denial, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us. This journey is about seeking the glory of God in all things. [11:34]
• 5. In the church, we should strive to build a community where everyone is committed to not seeking their own interests. This creates a family of God where love and selflessness abound, reflecting the love of Christ. [22:06]
  ** [22:06]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit
• [01:11] - Divine Love vs. Human Love
• [02:12] - The Highest Example of Love
• [03:04] - Exercising Spiritual Gifts in Love
• [05:35] - God's Unending Love
• [07:14] - Evidence of the Holy Spirit
• [09:09] - Assurance in God's Love
• [10:18] - Loving God Above All
• [11:34] - The Way of the Cross
• [12:39] - Self-Seeking in Ministry
• [15:45] - Judging Others and Motives
• [19:22] - Hidden Acts of Love
• [22:06] - Building a Selfless Church
• [23:51] - Jesus' Example of Service

1. 1 Corinthians 13:5 - "Love does not seek its own."
2. Isaiah 49:15 - "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you."
3. Romans 5:5 - "God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

1. What is the primary characteristic of divine love as described in 1 Corinthians 13:5, and how does it contrast with human love? ([01:31])
2. According to the sermon, what earthly example does God use to illustrate His love for us, and why is this example chosen? ([04:21])
3. How does the sermon describe the proper way to exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit? ([03:04])
4. What does Romans 5:5 say about the role of the Holy Spirit in our understanding of God's love? ([07:14])

1. How does the example of a mother's love for her newborn child help us understand the nature of divine love? What does this imply about our relationships with others? ([05:04])
2. In what ways might the pursuit of personal gain interfere with the exercise of spiritual gifts, according to the sermon? ([03:21])
3. How does loving God above all else enable us to love others selflessly, as discussed in the sermon? ([10:18])
4. What does it mean to walk the way of the cross, and how does this relate to experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit? ([11:34])

1. Reflect on a time when you sought your own interests in a relationship. How can you shift your focus to emulate the selfless love described in 1 Corinthians 13:5? ([01:31])
2. Consider the gifts of the Holy Spirit you possess. How can you ensure that you are using them to serve others without seeking personal recognition? ([03:04])
3. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to love God above all else. What steps can you take this week to prioritize your relationship with God? ([10:18])
4. Think about a situation where you found it difficult to deny yourself. How can embracing self-denial lead to a deeper experience of God's love? ([11:34])
5. How can you contribute to building a selfless community within your church, where members do not seek their own interests? ([22:06])
6. Reflect on Jesus' example of preparing breakfast for His disciples. How can you serve others quietly and humbly in your daily life? ([23:51])
7. What is one practical way you can allow the Holy Spirit to transform an area of your life where you are currently seeking your own interests? ([11:34])