Love: The Greatest Gift and True Maturity
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Integrity Church. Thank you for being here on this Memorial Day weekend. We are grateful for the sacrifices of our active military and veterans. Today, we will be diving into 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter often referred to as the "love chapter." This chapter is nestled within Paul's discussion on spiritual gifts, spanning chapters 12 to 14. As we explore this chapter, we will see that Paul is challenging the Corinthians to focus on what truly matters: love.
Paul begins by emphasizing that even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts are meaningless without love. He states that if he speaks in the tongues of men and angels but lacks love, he is merely a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Even if he possesses prophetic powers, understands all mysteries, and has faith to move mountains, without love, he is nothing. Paul underscores that love is the greatest gift, surpassing all others.
Paul then describes the nature of love, highlighting its attributes: love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, and does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This description of love is not just a checklist but a reflection of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus exemplified this love on the cross, demonstrating patience, forgiveness, and enduring love.
Paul continues by explaining that spiritual gifts are temporary and will pass away, but love never ends. He uses the analogy of a child growing into adulthood to illustrate that as we mature in our faith, we should move away from childish things and embrace love. Love is the mark of true maturity and godliness, not the possession of spiritual gifts.
Paul also addresses the common misconception that giftedness equates to godliness. He points out that even those with miraculous gifts, like Judas Iscariot, can betray Jesus. Spiritual gifts do not necessarily indicate a changed heart or a life abiding in Christ. True godliness is measured by love and holiness, not by the display of spiritual gifts.
In conclusion, Paul urges the Corinthians to prioritize love above all else. He reminds them that their legacy will be defined by their love, not their gifts. This is what will be remembered by their children, grandchildren, coworkers, and neighbors. Love is what truly matters and what will endure.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Primacy of Love Over Gifts: Even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts are meaningless without love. Paul emphasizes that love is the greatest gift, surpassing all others. This challenges us to prioritize love in our lives, ensuring that our actions and gifts are rooted in genuine love for others. [01:16:00]
2. The Nature of True Love: Love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, and does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. This description of love reflects the person and work of Jesus Christ, who exemplified perfect love on the cross. [01:32:18]
3. The Temporary Nature of Spiritual Gifts: Spiritual gifts are temporary and will pass away, but love never ends. As we mature in our faith, we should move away from childish things and embrace love. True maturity and godliness are marked by love, not the possession of spiritual gifts. [01:34:55]
4. Giftedness Does Not Equate to Godliness: Even those with miraculous gifts, like Judas Iscariot, can betray Jesus. Spiritual gifts do not necessarily indicate a changed heart or a life abiding in Christ. True godliness is measured by love and holiness, not by the display of spiritual gifts. [01:26:52]
5. Legacy Defined by Love: Our legacy will be defined by our love, not our gifts. This is what will be remembered by our children, grandchildren, coworkers, and neighbors. Love is what truly matters and what will endure. We should strive to be known for our love and godly character rather than our talents or achievements. [01:36:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:10:06] - Introduction and Context
[01:16:00] - The Primacy of Love Over Gifts
[01:20:23] - The Nature of True Love
[01:26:52] - Giftedness Does Not Equate to Godliness
[01:32:18] - The Example of Jesus
[01:34:55] - Maturity Through Love
[01:36:21] - Legacy Defined by Love
[01:39:00] - Invitation and Response
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul say about the value of spiritual gifts without love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3?
2. List the attributes of love as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
3. According to 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, what is the difference between spiritual gifts and love in terms of their permanence?
4. How does Paul illustrate the process of maturing in faith in 1 Corinthians 13:11-12?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that love is greater than spiritual gifts? How does this challenge the Corinthians' understanding of spiritual maturity? [01:16:00]
2. How does the description of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reflect the character and actions of Jesus Christ? [01:32:18]
3. What does Paul mean when he says that spiritual gifts will pass away but love never ends? How should this influence a believer's priorities? [01:34:55]
4. How does the example of Judas Iscariot illustrate the point that giftedness does not equate to godliness? [01:26:52]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be relying on your spiritual gifts rather than cultivating love? How can you shift your focus to prioritize love? [01:20:23]
2. Think about a time when you witnessed someone using their gifts without love. How did it impact you or others around you? What can you learn from that experience? [01:21:42]
3. How can you demonstrate the attributes of love listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 in your daily interactions with family, friends, and coworkers? Be specific.
4. In what ways can you ensure that your legacy is defined by love rather than your talents or achievements? What practical steps can you take to make this a reality? [01:36:21]
5. Identify a person in your life who might be difficult to love. How can you apply the principles of 1 Corinthians 13 to improve your relationship with them?
6. How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to prioritize love over spiritual gifts? What actions can you take to foster a culture of love?
7. Reflect on the example of Jesus' love on the cross. How can this ultimate demonstration of love inspire you to love others more deeply and sacrificially? [01:32:18]
Devotional
Day 1: The Primacy of Love Over Gifts
Even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts are meaningless without love. Paul emphasizes that love is the greatest gift, surpassing all others. This challenges us to prioritize love in our lives, ensuring that our actions and gifts are rooted in genuine love for others. Paul begins by emphasizing that even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts are meaningless without love. He states that if he speaks in the tongues of men and angels but lacks love, he is merely a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Even if he possesses prophetic powers, understands all mysteries, and has faith to move mountains, without love, he is nothing. Paul underscores that love is the greatest gift, surpassing all others. [01:16:00]
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (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."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you used your gifts or talents. Did you do it out of love for others, or was there another motivation? How can you ensure that love is the driving force behind your actions?
Day 2: The Nature of True Love
Love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, and does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. This description of love reflects the person and work of Jesus Christ, who exemplified perfect love on the cross. Paul then describes the nature of love, highlighting its attributes: love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, and does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This description of love is not just a checklist but a reflection of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus exemplified this love on the cross, demonstrating patience, forgiveness, and enduring love. [01:32:18]
1 John 4:10-11 (ESV): "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Reflection: Reflect on the attributes of love described in 1 Corinthians 13. Which attribute do you find most challenging to embody? How can you ask God to help you grow in this area today?
Day 3: The Temporary Nature of Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are temporary and will pass away, but love never ends. As we mature in our faith, we should move away from childish things and embrace love. True maturity and godliness are marked by love, not the possession of spiritual gifts. Paul continues by explaining that spiritual gifts are temporary and will pass away, but love never ends. He uses the analogy of a child growing into adulthood to illustrate that as we mature in our faith, we should move away from childish things and embrace love. Love is the mark of true maturity and godliness, not the possession of spiritual gifts. [01:34:55]
1 Peter 4:8-10 (ESV): "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Consider how you have been using your spiritual gifts. Are you more focused on the gifts themselves or on loving others through them? How can you shift your focus to prioritize love?
Day 4: Giftedness Does Not Equate to Godliness
Even those with miraculous gifts, like Judas Iscariot, can betray Jesus. Spiritual gifts do not necessarily indicate a changed heart or a life abiding in Christ. True godliness is measured by love and holiness, not by the display of spiritual gifts. Paul also addresses the common misconception that giftedness equates to godliness. He points out that even those with miraculous gifts, like Judas Iscariot, can betray Jesus. Spiritual gifts do not necessarily indicate a changed heart or a life abiding in Christ. True godliness is measured by love and holiness, not by the display of spiritual gifts. [01:26:52]
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV): "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you might be relying on your gifts rather than cultivating a heart of love and holiness? What steps can you take to align your heart more closely with Christ?
Day 5: Legacy Defined by Love
Our legacy will be defined by our love, not our gifts. This is what will be remembered by our children, grandchildren, coworkers, and neighbors. Love is what truly matters and what will endure. We should strive to be known for our love and godly character rather than our talents or achievements. In conclusion, Paul urges the Corinthians to prioritize love above all else. He reminds them that their legacy will be defined by their love, not their gifts. This is what will be remembered by their children, grandchildren, coworkers, and neighbors. Love is what truly matters and what will endure. [01:36:21]
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 about the legacy you are building. Are you known for your love and godly character? What changes can you make today to ensure that love is the defining mark of your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I know so many people, I can think about my own grandmother. My own grandmother said some of the most profound things in my life that I've ever heard. And my grandmother had a sixth grade education. But I promise you this, my grandmother loved Jesus. She read God's word and she loved people. And I'm always compelled. That's what remains. That's what people know about my grandma when she passed away. Those are the things that people said about my grandma. It wasn't about all the skills and talents she had. She could cook some really good brunch stew and she loved people and loved Jesus. That's what matters. That's what matters. That's what matters. That's what matters. And that's what remains." [01:40:13]
2. "Friends, I want to tell you that a person can have a gift and a person could even have a fruitful ministry, yet still not walk with Jesus. You don't believe me? Well, look at the Bible. Like, I mean, Jesus actually taught this, friends. Matthew chapter seven, Jesus is talking about, he's telling his disciples there'll be a time where we all stand before God. And he says in Matthew chapter seven and verse 22, he says, on that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, do we not prophesy in your name? Do we not cast out demons in your name? Do we not do mighty works? The Greek word for this, the Greek word for that means actually miracles. Do we not do miracles in your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." [01:23:38]
3. "You can have amazing talent, but if you don't have the most simple, basic things that God can really give us, we miss out on an entire legacy for good, or the way that we say it here around Integrity Church is a legacy for the gospel. Interestingly enough, 1 Corinthians 13, Paul is writing this chapter as a way to bring the Corinthians into what matters the most. The church of Corinth was perhaps the most gifted church that Paul had ever pastored. This is a church that was wealthy. This is a church that was well-educated. This is a church that was cultural and influential, yet many of them squandered the gifts that God had given them. And they were on the verge of missing out on a rich gospel legacy." [01:14:30]
4. "Friends, I want to tell you is that don't rely on your gifts. It's a way to believe that you're really walking with God. When he uses the analogy of a clanging cymbal or noisy gong, that is actually a picture of something that happened in Corinth. And when the pagans would worship in their temple, the worshipers would come in and they would clash a cymbal or they would hit a gong to get attention from the gods. So it's actually pagan of us to say, I am going to take the gift that God has given me to draw myself and I'm going to use it as a way to, as an evidence and signs that I am really walking the Lord to see how well this gift is working in our life, my life." [01:37:41]
### Quotes for Members
1. "If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, listen to what he says, I am a noisy gong or a clinging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith as to remove mountains, but if I have not love, he says, I am nothing. If I give away all that I have, if I deliver up my body to be burned, but I have not love, I am nothing. I gain nothing. This is the part we probably heard the most. Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It's not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It's not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoings, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." [01:16:00]
2. "We live in a culture that often equates giftedness with godliness, don't we? We'll see people on TV that have successful ministries and we go, wow, look at all the people that have showed up to hear their gift of preaching. That person has got to be walking with the Lord. Or we'll go, well, look at how many people are go to this influencer and look how gifted they are. So they must be, they must have it all together. They must be walking in obedience to the Lord. They must have the spirit. They must be abiding in the spirit every day. They must have the great prayer life. Look at all the people that they've baptized. Look at all the people that have been changed and transformed by their ministry. They must be, they must be walking with the Lord and praying to God and walking in obedience to Christ." [01:22:57]
3. "Judas Iscariot was given gifts by Jesus to cast out demons and to heal every disease and affliction. Yet, Judas betrayed Jesus. It's hard to even imagine Judas without the word betrayal, isn't it? And we even use it as an adjective. You are one who betrays people, right? We use it as a word to say, to describe someone who betrays others. Yet, Judas had miraculous gifts that were used. What I'm trying to say, church, and I hope you catch this, is that you can have miraculous gifts, but it doesn't always show evidence of a changed life, of a new life, of a life that's abiding in Christ." [01:26:52]
4. "Paul is saying, God's love, the love that Christ has shown us is like a mirror. We look at it to gauge our love. Our life. at Jesus, not how gifted you are. And so he says, we move away from childish things. We move into adulthood. And this is a great, fantastic verse on how we mature, because we mature not through our gifts and boasting in our gifts and getting attention for our gifts. No, we mature through love. We're motivated through love. Love becomes our new motivation for how we want to express. God to the world. And church, this is what really lasts. And that's what people will really remember about you. They're not going to remember your gifts as much as they will your love." [01:34:55]
5. "Friends, giftedness and godliness are not the same things. And this is exactly what Paul is after here. He's saying, don't confuse the two. And if you have to choose between the two of whether or not you want to be gifted or godly, he says, don't confuse the two. And if you have to choose between the two of choose to be godly, choose to be a person who is known in love. And I got to tell you, friends, even for me in the last almost 25 years I've been in ministry, my temptation is sometimes to get in a trap of, well, yes, I'm walking with the Lord. Look how he's using me. I mean, look at the people I'm ministering to. Look at the people that have been impacted by my preaching or counseling, whatever it is. I'll rely on the gifts rather than relying on walking in obedience with the Lord." [01:31:00]
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