Growing in Love: Our Commandment and Calling

 

Summary

In our journey through First Corinthians 13, we are reminded of the profound necessity of growing in love. Love is not merely a suggestion but a commandment from Jesus, marking us as His disciples in a world increasingly characterized by anger and division. As believers, our distinct calling is to love one another, which serves as a beacon of light in a dark world. This love is essential for effective ministry, as it transforms our actions and gifts into meaningful service. Without love, even the most eloquent speech or courageous commitment amounts to nothing.

Paul's words in First Corinthians 13 reveal that love equips us for life by producing good fruit within us. Love is patient and kind, not envious or boastful, and it does not insist on its own way. These are not prerequisites for love but the fruits that naturally grow when love is present. Love restrains our impulses, delivers us from envy, and fosters humility. It enhances our emotional intelligence, allowing us to interact with others thoughtfully and sensitively. Love also guards us against suspicion, enabling us to think the best of others and rejoice in the truth.

Moreover, love is the greatest of all gifts because it endures forever. While faith and hope are vital, they are temporal, serving us until we see Christ face to face. Love, however, is eternal, reflecting the very nature of God, who is love. As we grow in love, we become more like our Heavenly Father, and our lives shine brightly in a world longing for faith, hope, and love.

As we seek to grow in love, we are encouraged to ask God to deepen our love for our spouses, children, colleagues, neighbors, and even those with whom we disagree. This growth in love is not just for our benefit but for the glory of God, as His love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Let us pursue this supreme gift of love, knowing that it equips us for life and ministry and will endure forever.

Key Takeaways:

- Love is our distinct calling as followers of Christ, setting us apart in a world filled with anger and division. It is not optional but a commandment that marks us as His disciples. [01:27]

- Love equips us for life by producing patience, kindness, and humility within us. It restrains our impulses and delivers us from envy, allowing us to interact with others thoughtfully and sensitively. [11:38]

- Love is God's antidote to a suspicious heart, enabling us to think the best of others and rejoice in the truth. It guards us against assuming the worst and helps us put the best construction on others' words and actions. [21:34]

- Love is the greatest gift because it endures forever, reflecting the very nature of God. While faith and hope are temporal, love is eternal, and as we grow in love, we become more like our Heavenly Father. [31:09]

- Growing in love is essential for effective ministry and life. It transforms our actions and gifts into meaningful service, equipping us to shine brightly in a world longing for faith, hope, and love. [29:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Introduction to Growing in Love
- [00:54] - Distinct Calling of Love
- [02:19] - Love and Effective Ministry
- [03:19] - Gifts Without Love
- [04:47] - Pursuing Love in Relationships
- [06:07] - Love for Neighbors and Enemies
- [07:38] - Love Equips for Life
- [08:31] - Misunderstanding Love's Ingredients
- [10:59] - Love as Fruit-Bearing Tree
- [12:46] - Love Produces Patience and Kindness
- [14:13] - Love Delivers from Envy
- [16:04] - Love and Humility
- [18:37] - Love and Emotional Intelligence
- [21:34] - Love and a Suspicious Heart
- [23:25] - Love and Discernment
- [27:30] - Love's Eternal Nature
- [31:09] - Love as the Greatest Gift

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Growing in Love

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 13 - The primary text for the sermon, focusing on the nature and importance of love.
2. John 13:34-35 - Jesus' commandment to love one another as a mark of discipleship.
3. Philippians 1:9-10 - Paul's prayer for love to abound with knowledge and discernment.

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the characteristics of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13? How do these characteristics manifest in everyday life? [08:31]
2. According to the sermon, why is love considered the greatest gift compared to faith and hope? [31:09]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between love and effective ministry? [02:19]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of love in dealing with envy and pride? [14:29]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the commandment to love one another in John 13:34-35 serve as a distinctive mark of a disciple of Christ? What implications does this have for believers today? [00:33]
2. In what ways does love equip believers for life, according to the sermon? How does this compare to the role of other spiritual gifts? [08:16]
3. How does the sermon explain the enduring nature of love, and why is this significant for believers? [31:09]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between love and emotional intelligence? How can this understanding impact personal relationships? [19:30]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to show love. What specific steps can you take to respond with patience and kindness next time? [12:46]
2. Identify a person in your life with whom you have a disagreement. How can you actively seek to grow in love for them this week? [06:23]
3. Consider your current ministry or service. How can you ensure that love is the driving force behind your actions and not just duty or obligation? [03:19]
4. Think about a time when you felt envious or proud. How can love help you overcome these feelings and foster humility instead? [14:29]
5. How can you cultivate a heart that rejoices in the truth and puts the best construction on others' words and actions? [21:34]
6. In what ways can you ask God to deepen your love for your family, colleagues, and neighbors? What practical actions can you take to demonstrate this love? [05:13]
7. Reflect on the eternal nature of love. How does this perspective influence your priorities and relationships in the present? [31:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Love as Our Distinct Calling
Love is not just a suggestion for believers; it is a commandment that sets them apart in a world filled with anger and division. As followers of Christ, love is the defining mark of discipleship, a beacon of light that shines in the darkness. This love is not optional but essential, as it reflects the very nature of God and His desire for His people to be united in love. In a world that often prioritizes self-interest and conflict, the call to love one another becomes a radical and transformative act. By embracing this calling, believers can demonstrate the power of love to heal and reconcile, serving as a testament to the world of God's enduring love. [01:27]

"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 needs to see the love of Christ through your actions today? How can you intentionally show them this love?


Day 2: Love Equips Us for Life
Love is a powerful force that equips believers for life by producing patience, kindness, and humility within them. It restrains impulses and delivers from envy, allowing for thoughtful and sensitive interactions with others. This transformative power of love enhances emotional intelligence, enabling believers to navigate relationships with grace and understanding. By fostering these virtues, love becomes a guiding principle that shapes character and behavior, leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious life. As believers grow in love, they become better equipped to handle life's challenges and to serve others with genuine compassion and empathy. [11:38]

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you practice patience and kindness in your interactions today, especially with those who may test your limits?


Day 3: Love and a Suspicious Heart
Love serves as God's antidote to a suspicious heart, enabling believers to think the best of others and rejoice in the truth. It guards against assuming the worst and helps put the best construction on others' words and actions. In a world where suspicion and mistrust are prevalent, love calls believers to a higher standard of grace and understanding. By choosing to see the good in others and to celebrate truth, love fosters an environment of trust and openness. This perspective not only strengthens relationships but also reflects the heart of God, who desires His people to live in harmony and peace. [21:34]

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you have been quick to judge or suspect? How can you choose to see them through the lens of love and truth today?


Day 4: Love as the Greatest Gift
Among the virtues of faith, hope, and love, love is the greatest because it endures forever, reflecting the very nature of God. While faith and hope are vital, they are temporal, serving believers until they see Christ face to face. Love, however, is eternal, and as believers grow in love, they become more like their Heavenly Father. This eternal nature of love makes it the supreme gift, one that transforms lives and ministries. By pursuing love, believers align themselves with God's eternal purpose and become conduits of His love to a world longing for faith, hope, and love. [31:09]

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prioritize love in your daily life, ensuring it remains the guiding force in your relationships and actions?


Day 5: Growing in Love for Effective Ministry
Growing in love is essential for effective ministry and life, as it transforms actions and gifts into meaningful service. Love equips believers to shine brightly in a world longing for faith, hope, and love. Without love, even the most eloquent speech or courageous commitment amounts to nothing. By cultivating love, believers can ensure that their ministry is impactful and aligned with God's purpose. This growth in love is not just for personal benefit but for the glory of God, as His love is poured into hearts by the Holy Spirit. Pursuing this supreme gift of love equips believers for life and ministry, enabling them to serve others with genuine compassion and grace. [29:44]

"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to grow in love, ensuring that your actions and ministry are rooted in genuine compassion and service?

Quotes


Jesus said a new commandment I give to you that you must love one another just as I have loved you you must love one another by this Jesus said by this by you loving one another all people will know that you are my disciples so this is the distinctive Mark the distinctive calling of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ [00:31:14]

Paul warns us that it is possible to engage in Ministry Without Love and that if we exercise our gifts without love then we will gain nothing and we noticed how remarkable it is that the Paul offers himself of all people as the example he speaks in the first person this great apostle says if I do not have love then all of my speaking and all of my spiritual experience nothing more than a repulsive noise [03:12:72]

ask God that this year you will grow in love for your spouse that your love will be deepened that your love will be refreshed and that your love will be renewed and you provide for another person you work you maintain a home but always remember it's possible to do these things with very little love [04:55:25]

Paul identifies six ways in which growing in love will change you and equip you for life let's look at these wonderful words beginning at verse 4. love is patient and kind now it would be very easy to misread these verses and to feel completely and utterly overwhelmed by a sense of your own failure when you get to the end of them [08:03:00]

love is patient love is kind love does not envy it is not irritable it does not insist on its own way and so you see someone might read this and say well no this is very clear if I'm to have love I need to have the ingredients I I have to be patient I have to be kind I have to get rid of all Envy [09:35:22]

love is patient love is kind love does not envy love is not irritable love does not insist on its own way you see this is telling us that if you have love you will have all of this good fruit growing in your life if you have love and you're growing in love you will have patience you'll grow in kindness [11:15:36]

love will produce the good fruit of patience and of kindness in you they are the fruits of growing in love and then there's more because that's just the beginning look at what he says love does not envy now again try and get this settled in your mind this is not saying oh if you're going to grow in love well you have to get rid of all Envy [13:51:36]

love will release you from the self-destructive power of bearing a grudge it will enable you to rejoice when God gives to someone else something that he did not give to you the more you love the more content you will be and then the Apostle goes further he says love does not boast it is not arrogant [15:25:32]

love is going to produce the good fruit of humility in your life the more you love the more humble you will be and then notice what Paul says next love is not rude it does not insist on its own way that's interesting looking at different ways in which this phrase root is translated in other versions of the Bible [16:28:22]

love will equip you to be able to discern how to come across want to see how to say it and when to say it another way that we might say this today is love will help you to grow in emotional intelligence it will equip you for sustaining healthy relationships that's what's being meant by this remarkable phrase and this statement of the Apostle Paul [19:03:00]

love will always make the most generous judgment possible it will always put the best possible construction on things but that does not mean that love is blind love can tell the difference between what is wrong and what is right or true and you see that in Philippians chapter 1 and verses 9 and 10 where Paul is praying that the Philippians will grow in love [22:28:22]

Paul says that faith hope and love remain that's why these are the things to go after they're the things of enduring value everything else passes away but these gifts have lasting value Lord let me grow in faith hope and love all the days of my life but then notice that Paul says the greatest of these is love [30:28:44]

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Transcript
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