Love: The Foundation of Spiritual Maturity

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, City Hill Church! Today, we conclude our 13-week series on 1 Corinthians, a letter from Paul to the church in Corinth. This city, much like a blend of Las Vegas, New York, and San Francisco, was rife with cultural challenges that infiltrated the church. Despite their faith in Jesus and participation in communion, the Corinthians were still enslaved to the wisdom and mindset of their surrounding culture. Paul’s letter aimed to teach them—and us—how to live in the upside-down kingdom of God, where the ways of the cross replace the ways of the world.

We reviewed the key themes from each chapter: unity, wisdom, leadership, judgment, the essence of the gospel, freedom, authority, glory, communion, and spiritual gifts. Each of these themes pointed to a life transformed by the cross, not by worldly wisdom. Today, we focus on the pinnacle of Paul’s letter: love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter is often read at weddings, but its true context is about spiritual gifts and the necessity of love as the foundation for all Christian actions.

Paul emphasizes that without love, all spiritual gifts are meaningless. Love is patient, kind, and does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude, and it does not insist on its own way. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This kind of love is a stark contrast to the self-centered, divisive behaviors of the Corinthians—and often, our own behaviors today.

Jesus himself taught that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbors. This love is not just a feeling but an action that values people over consumption or influence, supports those facing depression and loneliness, and stays present in a world full of distractions. Love builds bridges, fosters hope and unity, and endures through uncertainty.

Paul concludes that while spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues will pass away, love never ends. It is the greatest of all virtues and the true mark of spiritual maturity. As a church, we must strive to be fully known and to fully know others, reflecting the love of Jesus who knows us completely and loves us unconditionally. This genuine love cannot be counterfeited and is the foundation for all our actions and relationships.

### Key Takeaways

1. Love as the Foundation: Without love, all spiritual gifts and actions are meaningless. Love is patient, kind, and does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude, and it does not insist on its own way. This foundational love transforms our actions and relationships, making them meaningful and aligned with God's kingdom. [54:08]

2. Genuine Relationships: Love values people over consumption or influence. It supports those facing depression and loneliness, creating genuine relationships that reflect the love of Jesus. This kind of love stays present, avoiding the distractions of endless content and scrolling, and values being with others. [01:04:55]

3. Enduring Love: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This enduring love fosters hope and unity, not fear or irritation or resentment. It builds bridges and seeks the well-being of others, even in difficult times. [01:01:17]

4. Timeless Love: The way of love is timeless and will always be the path to the upside-down kingdom of God. While spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues will pass away, love never ends. It is the greatest of all virtues and the true mark of spiritual maturity. [01:06:44]

5. Being Fully Known: Genuine love involves being fully known and knowing others deeply. This vulnerability and transparency reflect the love of Jesus, who knows us completely and loves us unconditionally. As a church, we must strive to create an environment where people feel safe to be known and loved. [01:08:42]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[43:58] - Introduction and Series Recap
[44:49] - The Struggles of the Corinthian Church
[45:50] - Lessons from 1 Corinthians
[47:04] - Unity and Wisdom
[48:48] - Authority, Glory, and Communion
[50:30] - Spiritual Gifts and the Supernatural
[52:21] - The Pinnacle of Paul's Letter: Love
[54:08] - The Necessity of Love
[56:17] - Love in Action
[58:03] - Jesus' Commandments on Love
[59:42] - What is Love?
[01:01:17] - Love Bears All Things
[01:03:00] - The Beauty of Love
[01:04:55] - Love in Our Lives Today
[01:06:44] - The Timelessness of Love
[01:08:42] - Being Fully Known
[01:10:38] - Jesus' Example of Love
[01:12:41] - Overflowing Love
[01:15:12] - Practical Steps to Show Love
[01:16:34] - Invitation for Next Week
[01:17:14] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
2. Matthew 22:37-40

#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 13, what are the characteristics of love that Paul describes? How do these characteristics contrast with the behaviors of the Corinthians? [59:42]
2. In Matthew 22:37-40, what does Jesus say are the greatest commandments? How do these commandments relate to Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 13? [58:03]
3. What does Paul mean when he says that without love, all spiritual gifts are meaningless? [54:08]
4. How does Paul describe the permanence of love compared to spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues? [01:06:44]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul place such a strong emphasis on love being the foundation for all spiritual gifts and actions? How does this emphasis challenge the Corinthians' behavior? [54:08]
2. How does the concept of love in 1 Corinthians 13 differ from the cultural understanding of love in Corinth, which was synonymous with prostitution and consumption? [01:03:00]
3. In what ways does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:37-40 reinforce Paul's message about the importance of love? How do these teachings complement each other? [58:03]
4. What does it mean to be "fully known" and to "fully know" others in the context of Christian love and community? How does this concept challenge our modern relationships? [01:08:42]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are using your spiritual gifts without love? How can you ensure that love is the foundation of your actions? [54:08]
2. Think about your relationships within the church. Are you valuing people over consumption or influence? How can you support those facing depression and loneliness in your community? [01:04:55]
3. How can you practice enduring love that "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things" in your daily interactions? [01:01:17]
4. In what ways can you stay present and avoid the distractions of endless content and scrolling to build genuine relationships? What practical steps can you take this week? [01:04:55]
5. How can you create an environment in your small group or church where people feel safe to be fully known and loved? What specific actions can you take to foster this kind of community? [01:08:42]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt fully known and loved by someone. How did that experience impact you? How can you offer that same kind of love to others? [01:10:38]
7. Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbors. How can you practically live out these commandments in your daily life? What specific actions can you take this week to show love to God and to your neighbors? [58:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Love as the Foundation
Love is the bedrock of all Christian actions and spiritual gifts. Without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are rendered meaningless. Love is characterized by patience, kindness, and humility. It does not envy, boast, or act arrogantly. Instead, it seeks the well-being of others and does not insist on its own way. This kind of love transforms our actions and relationships, aligning them with the values of God's kingdom. In a world that often prioritizes self-interest and personal gain, this foundational love calls us to a higher standard of living and interacting with others. [54:08]

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV): "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you prioritized your own needs over someone else's. How can you approach similar situations with a foundation of love in the future?

Day 2: Genuine Relationships
Love values people over consumption or influence. It supports those facing depression and loneliness, creating genuine relationships that reflect the love of Jesus. In today's world, it's easy to get caught up in endless content and distractions, but true love stays present and values being with others. This kind of love builds authentic connections and provides support to those who need it most. By focusing on genuine relationships, we can better reflect the love of Jesus in our daily lives. [01:04:55]

Romans 12:9-10 (ESV): "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who may be feeling lonely or depressed. How can you reach out to them today to show genuine love and support?

Day 3: Enduring Love
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This enduring love fosters hope and unity, not fear or irritation or resentment. It builds bridges and seeks the well-being of others, even in difficult times. In a world full of uncertainties and challenges, enduring love remains steadfast and unshaken. It is a love that perseveres through trials and tribulations, always seeking to uplift and support others. [01:01:17]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that is currently strained. How can you demonstrate enduring love to help mend and strengthen that relationship?

Day 4: Timeless Love
The way of love is timeless and will always be the path to the upside-down kingdom of God. While spiritual gifts like prophecy and tongues will pass away, love never ends. It is the greatest of all virtues and the true mark of spiritual maturity. This timeless love transcends all other gifts and is the ultimate expression of God's kingdom on earth. By embracing this love, we align ourselves with the eternal values of God's kingdom and demonstrate true spiritual maturity. [01:06:44]

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV): "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been focusing on temporary achievements or gifts. How can you shift your focus to demonstrate timeless love in that area?

Day 5: Being Fully Known
Genuine love involves being fully known and knowing others deeply. This vulnerability and transparency reflect the love of Jesus, who knows us completely and loves us unconditionally. As a church, we must strive to create an environment where people feel safe to be known and loved. This kind of love fosters deep connections and a sense of belonging, allowing us to support and uplift one another in our spiritual journeys. [01:08:42]

1 John 4:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."

Reflection: Consider someone in your church or community who may feel unknown or overlooked. How can you take a step today to know them more deeply and show them the love of Jesus?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We don't argue with really fancy and compelling ideas, great charismatic speech on like the best ways to live life. We just preach the cross and Jesus crucified. That's it." [46:30] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you get that right, you get everything else right. It's not relationships or sex or whatever the Corinthians thought it was." [47:30] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth." [59:42] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Love values people over consumption or influence. Love supports those facing depression and loneliness, creating genuine relationships. Love stays present, avoiding the distractions of endless content and scrolling, but valuing being with others." [01:04:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they'll pass away. As for tongues, they will cease. As for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away." [01:06:44] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We want to hear from God, and then we want to hear it again, and we want to hear it again, and we want to hear it again because we still forget. I still forget, and I'm studying it a ton." [44:49] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you don't have love for one another, if you don't wait during communion, if you don't pay attention and care for the people next to you, don't try to have supernatural gifts and powers. They are worthless." [56:17] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Those are hard when you're talking about unity. We're all different. We have some disagreements and some struggles." [01:01:17] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Love is where the power is at. See, we poo-poo it. Our Minnesotan culture has found a way to appear loving on the surface. We know how to appear patient, how to appear kind. We know how to fake a lot of these elements of love." [01:06:44] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If we, the church, are going to be known by our love, we're going to be known as being a place where people can be known, can unburden all their junk and sin and brokenness, to be really understood and really loved. Because that's what Jesus does." [01:12:41] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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