James Barnett
Series: LOVE BREAKS THROUGH
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 22nd June 2014
Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 Today we are looking at that passage, 1 Corinthians 13, the love passage.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:09 I'm sure it's somewhat familiar.
00:00:10 --> 00:00:13 It's one of the most common passages read at weddings.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:15 It was read at my wedding.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 Anybody else here haven't read at their wedding?
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 Come on, come on.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:21 I see hands up.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:23 That's wonderful, that's wonderful.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:30 Now, surely it's because it's all about romantic love.
00:00:31 --> 00:00:35 Romantic love between a man and a woman, isn't it?
00:00:36 --> 00:00:43 Shouldn't we just pluck this chapter right out of 1 Corinthians and just feel encouraged about love?
00:00:43 --> 00:00:47 Maybe I should tell you to snuggle up to your husband or wife.
00:00:48 --> 00:00:52 Maybe if you're thinking about getting married, this is really the chapter you need to focus on.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 Don't think about the rest of 1 Corinthians.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:56 This is all it's about.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 Is that what this chapter is all about?
00:01:00 --> 00:01:06 Now, in English, we use the word love to refer to all kinds of things.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:11 You know, I refer to things I have a great deal of affection for.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 I love pink iced donuts.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:15 They're delicious.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 You know, I use it for romantic interests.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 I love my wife.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:24 She makes me feel great.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 You know, in English, this word has a lot of different meanings.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 But what is Paul talking about here?
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 What is this love he is talking about?
00:01:36 --> 00:01:39 Tonight, we're going to find out what this love is.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:44 Is it this romantic love or is it somehow different?
00:01:45 --> 00:01:50 Over the last number of weeks, and this weekend in particular, we've been looking at 1 Corinthians.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:58 Paul has rebuked and corrected the understanding of the Corinthian people about a whole range of things.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:02 He has corrected them about their division in the church.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 Their sexual sin.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:08 Their willingness to abuse their Christian freedom.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:13 How they would not look after their weaker brothers.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:21 And we've seen over this weekend things like how tongues and prophecy, how that fits into church.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:26 But now, Paul gets to the climax of what he's been talking about.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:30 And he starts with that last verse of chapter 12.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:34 And now I will show you the most excellent way.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:37 I've had to correct you about all these things.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 Now let me show you how you should be characterized.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:44 Paul speaks about love.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 And he's going to talk about it in three ways.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:52 He's going to show its value, how it's characterized, and its expiry date.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:57 So please have a look at verse 1 with me of chapter 13.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:08 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:18 Even if Paul speaks in many languages, just like in Acts 2 at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they could speak many languages.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:28 If Paul could do this, and if he could speak in holy languages, but he doesn't have love, it's completely useless.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:32 It's just like the noise of a clanging cymbal.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:44 Now this may be a reference to pagan worship, but it's likely that at least he's saying that tongues without love is just meaningless noise.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:49 I had the opportunity to preach this morning at our Mandarin service.
00:03:50 --> 00:03:55 And a whole lot of that time I was thinking, man, I just wish I could speak Mandarin.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:57 Wouldn't that be great?
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 Come on, I've actually prayed in the past.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:04 Lord, give me the spiritual gift of tongues so I can speak Chinese.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:07 And don't have to do all the hard work learning it myself.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:17 But if I was to do that, if I could actually speak Chinese, but didn't do it in love, it's just a waste.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:18 It's a complete waste.
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 Paul continues in verse 2.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:27 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
00:04:28 --> 00:04:33 and if I have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:38 These are the things that Paul has been talking to the Corinthians about.
00:04:39 --> 00:04:45 The Corinthians prided themselves on their knowledge, their ability to prophesy and understand mysteries.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:52 But knowledge without love, it's like being hit with a blunt instrument.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 And I'm sure you've felt this before.
00:04:54 --> 00:04:58 Being battered by someone else's knowledge can be very painful.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 Imagine with me for a minute.
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 You've broken down on the side of the road.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:04 You've got a flat tire.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 And you need to change it, but you don't know how.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 That might be the case for some of us here.
00:05:11 --> 00:05:11 I'm not sure.
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 But imagine, you're in that situation.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:15 I see some heads nodding.
00:05:15 --> 00:05:15 That's good.
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 And all of a sudden, a car pulls over.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 And you're thinking, great, this person's going to help me.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:20 This is going to be really good.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:22 And they get out.
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 And he says, ah, I see you've got a flat tire.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 And you think, thank you, Captain Obvious.
00:05:28 --> 00:05:32 He asks, do you know how to change it?
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 And you're forced to say, no.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:36 I don't know how to.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:44 So while he's changing the tire for you, he starts telling you how many tires he's changed in the past.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:49 How his father taught him how to change tires before he was even out of short pants.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 And he just goes on and on.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:56 And you're thinking, you know, why don't you just hit me with the tire iron and be done with it?
00:05:56 --> 00:06:02 You know, you're just showing off about how easy it is to change this tire.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:03 Great.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 You're just beating me in the head with your knowledge.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:09 What would you think?
00:06:10 --> 00:06:10 Great.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 Thanks for your help.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 But why did you have to show off?
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 Why did you have to beat me with that knowledge?
00:06:16 --> 00:06:23 Paul says that if there is no love, your knowledge is nothing.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:28 If you don't use your knowledge the right way, it's all for nothing.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:34 Your degrees from university, everything you've learned is just a complete waste.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:45 Even if I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 Paul goes to the extreme.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:54 Even if I give everything away in this great show of philanthropy and set my body on fire,
00:06:55 --> 00:07:00 but don't do it with love, it's a waste.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:07 In this divine mathematics, five minus one equals zero.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:16 You're spiritually bankrupt unless love characterizes the gifts that God has given you.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:21 What would Paul say to us if he was talking to us today?
00:07:21 --> 00:07:30 He would probably question those who think they are so spiritual because of the knowledge of the Bible that they have.
00:07:31 --> 00:07:36 Maybe they're not as deliberate as the guy with the tire, but every time when you're in Bible study,
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 you know, they're the first person to answer.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 You know, they answer every question.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:48 What about those of us who think one style of worshiping God, that is the best?
00:07:48 --> 00:07:52 You know, whether it's the type of worship, the instruments used, whatever it is.
00:07:53 --> 00:08:00 If worship isn't expressed in love, then that worship of God is nothing.
00:08:01 --> 00:08:04 Love is of the greatest value.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:11 It is more important than having all the spiritual gifts, all tongues, all knowledge, all prophecy,
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 as we've seen over this weekend.
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 These are great things to have.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:21 But if you don't use them and show them with love, they're a waste.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 Our actions show that we are spiritually bankrupt.
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 So love, it's really important.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:30 It's of greatest value.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 But what is it?
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 What is this love?
00:08:34 --> 00:08:38 Have a look at verse 4 with me as Paul switches between what it is and what it's not.
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 Love is patient.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 Love is kind.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 It does not envy.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 It does not boast.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 It is not proud.
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 It is not rude.
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 It is not self-seeking.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 It is not easily angered.
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 It keeps no record of wrongs.
00:08:55 --> 00:08:59 Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:02 It always protects, always trusts,
00:09:02 --> 00:09:05 always hopes, always perseveres.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 This love is amazing.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 It's ideal.
00:09:09 --> 00:09:11 It's absolutely impossible.
00:09:11 --> 00:09:16 You can see why people want this part of the Bible read at their weddings.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:24 You know, if this is what our love was like, we wouldn't have relationship breakdowns.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:28 We wouldn't have brothers fighting sisters.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:31 We wouldn't have parents fighting children.
00:09:31 --> 00:09:36 We wouldn't have husbands and wives breaking up if our love was like this.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:40 But our love is not like this at all.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 My love is not like this.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:45 My love is self-serving.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 We say things like, I don't feel loved.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 I've fallen out of love.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 I just don't love you anymore.
00:09:54 --> 00:09:58 When we say this, we really mean romantic love.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:03 But the love Paul describes, it's radically different.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 It is a self-sacrificial love.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:10 It is totally other person-centered.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:16 It is the love that says, I love you, even though you are not lovely yourself.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:20 This love is patient.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:27 This word doesn't mean just waiting a long time, but enduring injury without retaliation.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 This love is kind.
00:10:31 --> 00:10:37 Not just patient in the face of injury, but quick to pay back with kindness.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:43 And Paul sums it up best when he says that this love is not self-seeking.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:51 This love doesn't seek satisfaction for itself, but is prepared to give up what it has for others.
00:10:52 --> 00:11:02 There are a number of Greek words for love, but Christians redefine this word, agape, to mean self-sacrificial love.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 Say this word with me, agape.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 Ready?
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 One, two, three.
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 Agape.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 There you go.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:08 You know some Greek.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 About as much as I do.
00:11:10 --> 00:11:15 Agape love, this love is not our love.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 We do not show this kind of love naturally.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 Naturally, we seek our best interests.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 We will only love those who are lovely.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 I'll be kind if it will benefit me.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 We're self-seeking.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:35 But this agape love, it's not a romantic love.
00:11:35 --> 00:11:38 It is not affectionate love.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:43 It is the self-sacrificial love that characterizes God through the Bible.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:50 When a young man reveals his passion to a young woman and he says, I love you.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:57 He's saying at least on some level, I find delight in you.
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 You please me.
00:11:58 --> 00:12:01 I love you because you are lovely.
00:12:02 --> 00:12:07 This love is self-seeking, at least on some level.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:12 But God's love is self-originating.
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 It comes from himself.
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 That great verse, John 3, 16.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:25 For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:29 God loves the world, not because it is lovely.
00:12:31 --> 00:12:37 You know, it's not that the world is so lovely, God can't help himself from loving it and sending his son to die for it.
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 It's the complete opposite.
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 We are unlovely.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:50 If God's love was anything like ours, he wouldn't have sent his son to die.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:55 But because God loves sacrificially, he did.
00:12:56 --> 00:13:01 Jesus died to save us and we do not deserve this love.
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 We are not worth dying for.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:09 We have done nothing that God should sit up and love us.
00:13:10 --> 00:13:13 We have turned away and rejected him.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:19 This love that God shows is a sacrificial love.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 And we don't show this naturally.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 But God does.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 It is part of his character.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:34 And because we have been saved by God's love, this is how our actions are to be characterized.
00:13:34 --> 00:13:40 So Paul can say in chapter 16 of 1 Corinthians, do everything in love.
00:13:41 --> 00:13:46 He doesn't say that for selfish gain, but for the gain of others.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 Jesus says the same thing in John 13.
00:13:50 --> 00:13:54 All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
00:13:54 --> 00:14:03 It is this quality, this agape love, that sets what Christians do apart from the rest of the world.
00:14:04 --> 00:14:10 This agape love is the climax of how we are to operate as God's people in God's kingdom.
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 That's why it won't end.
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 It's part of God's kingdom now and forever.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 Have a look at verse 8 with me.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:21 Love never fails.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:25 But where there are prophecies, they will cease.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:28 Where there are tongues, they will be stilled.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:31 Where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:35 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:39 But when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:43 This agape love is permanent.
00:14:43 --> 00:14:52 When God decides to send his son to, you know, wrap things up on that final day of judgment.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:55 To call us, his people, home.
00:14:56 --> 00:14:59 After that time, there will be no more prophecies.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 They will be fulfilled.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:07 The imperfect partial knowledge that we have of God will be filled and finished.
00:15:07 --> 00:15:10 But love carries on.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:13 It endures past judgment.
00:15:13 --> 00:15:17 We will be with the Lord Jesus as he reigns.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:22 As he reigns and loves us and we love him.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:28 This chapter is not just about how I should love my wife.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:32 It's not about what marriage should look like.
00:15:33 --> 00:15:37 It shows us how we should act in all aspects of life.
00:15:37 --> 00:15:40 Love is more valuable than prophecies and knowledge.
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 They will end.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 But love continues.
00:15:44 --> 00:15:51 I think you get a glimpse of this sacrificial love when you have children.
00:15:52 --> 00:15:58 When Isaac was born, it forced me to be something other than selfish.
00:15:58 --> 00:16:00 To a certain degree.
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 Just to a small amount.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:06 I would prefer to do nearly anything than change a dirty nappy.
00:16:06 --> 00:16:15 I would prefer to do nearly anything than rock a crying child to sleep at 2 o'clock in the morning when I have had very little sleep myself.
00:16:16 --> 00:16:19 You know, when you're covered in vomit and everything smells.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 It's just awful.
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 But have kids.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 They're great.
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 You know, you're tired.
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 You don't want to do it.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:30 Sometimes I really don't want him interrupting my life.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 Sometimes I still don't, to be honest.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:40 But when he was little, if we didn't feed him, he didn't get fed.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 Even now, he's two and a half years old.
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 He can't fend for himself.
00:16:45 --> 00:17:01 If Alyssa and I ignored him completely for just one day, just one day, he would be probably cold, very hungry, probably hurt because he likes to climb things these days.
00:17:04 --> 00:17:07 Kids force you to not be selfish.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:10 You have to sacrifice your time for them.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:14 I do these things because I love him.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:18 But also because I have to.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 Otherwise, he would not live.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:24 Do I begrudge him when I have to look after him?
00:17:25 --> 00:17:28 In my weaker moments, I do.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:33 But God's love is greater than ours.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:37 It is true agape love.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:39 Truly other person-centered.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:44 He picks us up when we are like a kicking and screaming child.
00:17:45 --> 00:17:48 He cleans off the mess in our lives.
00:17:48 --> 00:17:51 He forgives our sins.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:54 And he doesn't do it begrudgingly like I do.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:58 But God chooses to love us.
00:17:58 --> 00:18:03 God has shown us what his love is like.
00:18:03 --> 00:18:06 And he invites us to love like him.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:12 Two things in particular happen when we display this agape love.
00:18:12 --> 00:18:16 The first is that people notice.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:19 And the second is that relationships are mended.
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 People notice.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:26 If you've ever showed this agape love, this other person-centered love, people notice.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 They say, you're strange.
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 You're so nice.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 Have you ever had this?
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 I see some people nodding.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 That's good.
00:18:35 --> 00:18:39 I've been reading the Bible recently with a guy called Jason.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 He's Chinese.
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 Awesome guy.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 I love reading the Bible with him.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:46 But on the first week, he asked me a couple of great questions.
00:18:47 --> 00:18:51 In particular, he asked why I was studying at Moore College.
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 Why?
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 You've already studied.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 You were working.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 You had a good job.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 You were earning good money.
00:18:56 --> 00:19:03 Why did you become a full-time student again, not earn much money at all, to be a minister?
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 It's a great question.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:09 I've asked myself that question a number of times.
00:19:09 --> 00:19:17 But I told him it's because I loved studying the Word and I love teaching people about God.
00:19:18 --> 00:19:21 And he asked me a second question.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 Why do I read the Bible with him?
00:19:23 --> 00:19:28 I read the Bible with him late on a Sunday night, after church.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:30 I've spent all day at church.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 I'm tired.
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 I've got dinner waiting for me at home.
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 I'm hungry.
00:19:34 --> 00:19:40 I would like to be somewhere else, but I'm there with him, reading the Bible.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 Why?
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 He's noticed that there's something different.
00:19:46 --> 00:20:02 Imagine if we showed this kind of love every day.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:09 Whether it's at work, studying, talking to the person at the checkout counter when you're getting food.
00:20:09 --> 00:20:17 In your marriage, people take notice and they want to know why you love.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:24 The second thing that happens when we show this agape love is that relationships are mended.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:31 Through God's love, through his son, our relationship with God has been restored.
00:20:31 --> 00:20:36 And our relationships with each other's can be healed.
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 Relationships that were broken can be mended.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:50 Men and women, husbands and wives, divisions in the church, brothers and sisters, parents and their children.
00:20:50 --> 00:21:01 Through this love that seeks to put other people's needs ahead of your own, there can be restoration of these relationships.
00:21:02 --> 00:21:06 Why would you not want to love like this?
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 I'm not going to sugarcoat it.
00:21:10 --> 00:21:12 It's really hard work.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:24 If you've ever had a conversation with someone and they disagreed with you, you know how hard it is to love them more than yourself.
00:21:26 --> 00:21:28 But it is this love that has brought us life.
00:21:29 --> 00:21:31 It is a divine attribute.
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 It was never going to be easy.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:40 But through this love, we get to show others the love of God.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:45 Through this love, relationships can be restored.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:49 How can we not want to have this kind of love?
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 Let's pray.
00:21:55 --> 00:22:00 Heavenly Father, thank you that you love us even though we are not lovely.
00:22:02 --> 00:22:06 Father, help us to see with your eyes, to love like you do.
00:22:06 --> 00:22:10 To love others more than we love ourselves.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 In your son's name we pray.
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 Amen.