Living Out Selfless Love in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Love in Action

Love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is an active expression of God's preferences. It is not just a feeling but a series of actions that reflect patience, kindness, and humility. This love is selfless, always seeking the well-being of others over oneself. True love is not passive; it requires intentionality and effort. It is a commitment to act in ways that reflect God's character, even when it is difficult or inconvenient.

This kind of love is transformative. It changes how we interact with others and how we see ourselves. When we choose to love actively, we become conduits of God's grace and mercy. Our actions can bring healing, hope, and encouragement to those around us. This love is a powerful testimony of God's presence in our lives and can draw others to Him. [30:42]

1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can show active love to someone in your life today. How can you go beyond words to demonstrate God's love through your actions?

Day 2: Contentment in Love

True love is not consumed by jealousy or a desire for what others have. It is content and focused on the well-being of others. Envy can lead to destructive behaviors, but love seeks to uplift and support others without comparison or competition. When we love without envy, we celebrate the successes and blessings of others as if they were our own.

This kind of love requires a shift in perspective. Instead of seeing others as rivals, we see them as fellow recipients of God's grace. We recognize that God's blessings are not limited and that He has a unique plan for each of us. By focusing on the well-being of others, we free ourselves from the bondage of envy and experience the joy of genuine love. [43:01]

James 3:16-17 (ESV): "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt envious of someone. How can you shift your perspective to celebrate their blessings and focus on their well-being instead?

Day 3: Humility in Love

Love does not seek to elevate oneself or draw attention to one's own achievements. It humbly serves and points others to God. Boasting is a sign of pride, but true love is marked by humility and a focus on others. When we love with humility, we recognize that our worth and value come from God, not from our accomplishments.

This kind of love is counter-cultural. In a world that often values self-promotion and recognition, choosing to love humbly can be challenging. However, it is through humility that we truly reflect the character of Christ. By serving others and pointing them to God, we become living testimonies of His love and grace. [52:24]

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others."

Reflection: Think of a recent achievement or success. How can you use it as an opportunity to serve others and point them to God rather than seeking recognition for yourself?

Day 4: Jesus as the Model of Love

Jesus exemplified the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. Despite having every right to boast or seek His own desires, He chose to serve others and point them to the Father. His life was a testament to selfless love, always prioritizing God's will over His own. Jesus' love was not just in words but in actions, as He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ultimately sacrificed His life for humanity.

By looking at Jesus' life, we see the perfect model of love in action. His love was patient, kind, and selfless. He did not seek His own glory but always pointed others to the Father. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His love in our own lives. This means putting others' needs before our own and seeking to glorify God in all that we do. [45:11]

John 13:34-35 (ESV): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you can better emulate Jesus' selfless love. What specific actions can you take to prioritize others' needs and point them to God?

Day 5: The Holy Spirit's Role in Love

Living out the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 requires the work of the Holy Spirit. This love is not natural to us; it requires divine intervention and continuous growth. We must rely on the Spirit to enable us to love as God calls us to love. The Holy Spirit empowers us to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Without the Holy Spirit, our efforts to love will fall short. It is through His guidance and strength that we can truly embody the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. As we grow in our relationship with God, the Spirit transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to love more fully and selflessly. [36:05]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in your heart today? What specific area of your life do you need His help to love more fully and selflessly?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the essence of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. We began by emphasizing the importance of gathering, growing, and going together as a church community. We then transitioned into the heart of our discussion: understanding the true nature of love. Love, as defined in 1 Corinthians 13, is not merely a feeling but an active, living expression of God's preferences. It is patient, kind, and devoid of envy and boasting. Each attribute of love is a verb, indicating that love is something we do, not just something we feel.

We explored how love does not envy, meaning it is not consumed by jealousy or a desire for what others have. Instead, love is content and focused on the well-being of others. We also discussed how love does not boast. True love does not seek to elevate oneself or draw attention to one's own achievements. Instead, it humbly serves and points others to God.

We looked at the life of Jesus as the perfect example of this love. Jesus, despite having every right to boast or seek His own desires, chose to serve others and point them to the Father. His life was a testament to selfless love, always prioritizing God's will over His own.

We also touched on the importance of the Holy Spirit in enabling us to live out this love. Without the Spirit's work in us, we cannot truly embody the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. This love is not natural to us; it requires divine intervention and continuous growth.

In conclusion, we are called to live out this love in our daily lives, in our relationships, and within our church community. This love should define us as followers of Christ and be evident to those around us, drawing them to the Father.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being of others over oneself. [30:42]
2. Love Does Not Envy: True love is not consumed by jealousy or a desire for what others have. It is content and focused on the well-being of others. Envy can lead to destructive behaviors, but love seeks to uplift and support others without comparison or competition.

3. Love Does Not Boast: Love does not seek to elevate oneself or draw attention to one's own achievements. It humbly serves and points others to God. Boasting is a sign of pride, but true love is marked by humility and a focus on others.

4. Jesus as the Perfect Example of Love: Jesus exemplified the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. Despite having every right to boast or seek His own desires, He chose to serve others and point them to the Father. His life was a testament to selfless love, always prioritizing God's will over His own.

5. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Living out the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 requires the work of the Holy Spirit. This love is not natural to us; it requires divine intervention and continuous growth. We must rely on the Spirit to enable us to love as God calls us to love.

### [30:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:11] - Announcements
[12:18] - Parking Lot Maintenance
[13:45] - Opening Prayer
[29:46] - Kids Church Dismissal
[30:13] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 13
[30:42] - Defining Love
[31:12] - Reading 1 Corinthians 13
[32:06] - Love is Patient and Kind
[33:26] - Agape Love
[34:01] - Love in Action
[34:58] - The Challenge of Love
[35:29] - The Work of the Spirit
[36:35] - Gifts of the Spirit
[37:54] - Love Does Not Envy
[43:01] - Understanding Envy
[45:11] - Jesus as the Example
[52:24] - Love Does Not Boast
[55:35] - Love in Relationships
[58:52] - The More Excellent Way
[59:59] - Living as Christians
[66:40] - Responsibility in Love
[69:55] - Preferring What God Prefers
[72:21] - Closing Prayer and Song

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the specific attributes of love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13? How are these attributes described as actions rather than feelings? [31:12]
According to the sermon, how does Jesus exemplify the love described in 1 Corinthians 13? Provide specific examples from His life. [45:11]
What role does the Holy Spirit play in enabling believers to live out the love described in 1 Corinthians 13? [36:05]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that each attribute of love in 1 Corinthians 13 is described as a verb? How does this change our understanding of love? [31:12]
How does the concept of love not envying or boasting challenge common societal views of success and self-promotion? [43:01] [52:24]
In what ways does the life of Jesus provide a model for selfless love, and how can this model be applied in our daily lives? [45:11]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent situation where you felt envious of someone else. How can you shift your focus to be more content and supportive of others? [43:01]
Think of a time when you were tempted to boast about your achievements. How can you practice humility and point others to God instead? [52:24]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to show patience or kindness. What steps can you take to improve in this area this week? [32:06]
How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit to help you live out the love described in 1 Corinthians 13? What practical steps can you take to invite the Spirit's work in your life? [36:05]
Jesus prioritized God's will over His own desires. What is one area in your life where you need to prioritize God's will? How can you make this change? [45:11]
In your relationships within the church community, how can you better embody the selfless love described in 1 Corinthians 13? Provide a specific example. [59:59]
How can you encourage others in your small group to live out the love described in 1 Corinthians 13? What practical actions can you take to support each other in this journey? [01:10:43]

Sermon Clips

1. "We believe the church is called to gather together. To grow together and go together and service both to the body and to the community. If you're here with us this morning, it's your first time. Or your first time in a while. When you came in, you should have received a guest card. If you take that card, fill it out and take it back to the welcome table. Right under the information sign out in the foyer. We've got a little gift for you just to say thank you for being here." [11:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God provided the funds for us to be able to do that. And now we want to take care of what God has blessed us with. And so let's go before the Lord in prayer. And then Pastor Paul will continue to lead us in song. And we'll do some praying later on and then dig into God's word. Lord, we thank you for your grace. We thank you for your goodness. We thank you that we can gather together as your people. We can gather together here in this place with others and we can worship you." [12:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Love, this word, means that which centers in moral preference. Specifically, as we're talking about it as a Christian, as a follower of Christ in a biblical context, this love prefers what God prefers. It focuses its preferences, it focuses its actions, it focuses its everything on what God himself prefers. When we talk about this kind of love, agape love, this fully centers on who God is, what he says, what he expects, what he wants. So this love prefers in all ways what God prefers." [33:26] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We talked about love being patient. Patient was a present active indicative verb. We talked about love being kind. It is a present middle indicative verb because kind means to look to serve others and to be gentle. And so I'm concerned about the actions that I am doing and the individual that this is engaged with. And so that's kind of that structure of how that works. So love is patient, love is kind. Today we jump into love does not envy." [42:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Love does not envy. Envy means to be jealous. It's a, it kind of has a lot of different uses. It has kind of bigger meanings. It's this idea of I am, I am so consumed with something. I am so even hot in the head about something that I'm bubbling over. I'm bubbling out. It's like when you boil a pot of water on the stove and it really gets to that rolling boil and it's starting to come out and overflow." [43:01] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Love does not envy. This is a present active indicative verb. Right now I am not hot in the head, consumed, boiling, bubbling over with something that I will do whatever it takes to get. We think of envy, different translations will have a different word that's in there. That's typically not how we think of envy. And that's typically not how we think of jealousy and have kind of some other definitions that we give to those, other ideas that we'll give to those." [44:32] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Love does not envy. Love is not about pursuing the desires that consume me. Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy and love does not boast. The word boast here means to vaunt yourself, to lift yourself up and act as a braggart. Somebody who needs a lot of attention. Look at me. Pay attention to me. This is a present middle indicative verb. So right now this is a true thing. Love does not boast." [51:50] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't boast. If anybody, if anybody had a right to boast, it would have been Jesus. Who had more skill? Who had more talent? Who had more ability? I mean, come on. If anybody had a right to do that, if anyone had an ability to do that justifiably, it would have been Jesus. But that's not what we find him doing. We find him in the midst of his ability." [53:24] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't boast. Love is saying it's not about me. Have you ever been in a relationship with somebody? When I talk about relationship in this context, this isn't just a dating relationship, a marriage relationship. This is any sort of a relationship. This could be a relationship, this could be kids with parents, this could be you with a friend, this could be in all different situations. Have you encountered someone, been in a relationship with someone where everything was about them?" [56:06] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Love is not about me. Love is not about my desires. Love is not about how great I am. Remember we go back to the first three verses of chapter 13. If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, I can communicate with anyone, but I don't have love, I'm a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. I have all prophetic powers, understand all mysteries, all knowledge, and I have all faith so as to remove mountains. I've got all the gifts, I understand all things, I have so much faith in God." [57:06] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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