, p. 1639: " Love' is a translation of the Greek noun agape.

Transcription

1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 18, 2010 "How Can I Express Love?" Background & Lesson: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Motivation: This study provides a bridge between the discussion of spiritual gifts in chapters 12 and 14. The schism, disunity and disruption caused by the misuse of spiritual gifts can be traced to a lack of love. If our hearts are fixed with love toward God and man, our actions will be pleasing to both. I. Understand Love's Importance (13:1-3) "... And yet I show you a more excellent way." (12:31b) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1639: " Love' is a translation of the Greek noun. In this nominal form the word has only seven possible appearances in secular Greek writings. The writers of the N.T. virtually coined the word to describe Christian love. Eros, the common Greek word for love,' is never found in the N.T. The appetitive, self-interested love of eros could never describe the selfless giving of Christian love. Philos (Gk.) is a term often employed, its general meaning of esteem and affection are heightened by a Christian context. There are occasions when 1 / 10

2 and philos are apparently used interchangeably or synonymously. The primary term for Christlike love, however, is the Greek word. To comprehend precisely what the early disciples meant by, one must examine the attributes of love listed in vv Here Christian love is not described by feelings but defined in loving acts." A. Love Is To Indwell All That We Say "Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels... " All our grand speeches are just noise if we don't speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Unknown tongues were an obvious problem in the Corinthian church (12:25, 14:4, 19) The Holy Spirit, writing through Paul, sought to put the issue in focus. Spiritual gifts are not the measure of our spiritual maturity; the fruit of the spirit, love, is that measure. James 3:6: "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell. " What a difference it would make in families, in society and in our church if all that we said could be filtered through love! B. Love Is To Indwell All That We Know "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith... but have not love, I am nothing." (2) Mystery religions emphasized secret knowledge, hidden from those outside the cult. 2 / 10

3 Perhaps Paul is cautioning members not to adopt this worldly attitude into the church. Paul is not diminishing the importance of prophecy, knowledge or faith. However, by contrast, love is the quality we should seek. C. Love Is To Indwell All That We Do "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." (3) Charity and martyrdom are gifts of sacrifice, remembered in history. Yet, if we want to impress God, we must be people of love. (I John 3:14, 19; John 15:5) II. Demonstrate Love's Importance (13:4-7) Eric Fromm in his book The Art of Loving says that New Testament love is "standing in" rather than "falling for." Bro. John says in Love is Something You Do that nowhere in the New Testament do we have love defined in emotional terms: it is an action word. In this chapter we have fifteen qualities of love. When studying each quality, we would do well to remember: 1) Agape love describes the way God loves us, (Rom. 5:8). 2) Agape love describes the way we are to love others, (I Jn. 3:18). 3) Agape love is the only standard we are given by which to measure our love. 4) Agape love is a grace gift from God. We can only live it through His power. (James 1:17) 3 / 10

4 A. "suffers long" - literally endures patiently especially with people. It describes the person who can easily avenge a wrong, but chooses not to do so. One who suffers long is slow to anger and patterns his attitude after God's example in dealing with us. (Nehemiah 9:17; Ps. 103:8, 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2) Jesus modeled this for His disciples. (Luke 9:54-56; 2 Peter 3:9) B. "is kind" - literally gracious, useful, gentle, given to service. A kind person reacts with goodness even to those who would mistrust him/her. One can be moral and good without being kind. Jesus modeled kindness with the children (Matt. 19:14) and in His healings. C. "does not envy" - literally doesn't get steamed-up at the success of others. This involves accepting what God has given you as well as wanting the best for others. William Barclay notes in his Letters to the Corinthians commentary, p. 120: "There are two kinds of envy. The one covets the possessions of other people; and such envy is very difficult to avoid because it is a very human thing. The other is worse - it grudges the very fact that others should have what it has not; it does not so much want things for itself as wish that others had not got them. Meanness of soul can sink no further than that." This is the tenth commandment. (Col 3:5) 4 / 10

5 D. "love does not parade itself" - literally is not a braggart. Barclay notes, p. 121: "True love will always be far more impressed with its own unworthiness than its own merit. Some people confer their love with the idea that they are conferring a favor. But the real lover cannot ever get over the wonder that he is loved. Love is kept humble by the consciousness that it can never offer its loved one a gift which is good enough." E. "is not puffed up" - literally is not full of hot air like a bellows. Pride is the biggest stumbling block to unselfishness, a core value of. Pride and stubbornness are two of the great destroyers of relationships. God resists the proud (James 4:6; I Peter 5:5). This is the opposite of humility. F. "does not behave rudely" - literally is not indecent, disgraceful or dishonorable. In the Greek language the same word is used for grace and charm. Love has a certain grace that allows one to build bridges to another rather than to destroy them. Sarcasm, biting comments and irritable behavior are all eliminated by love. G. "does not seek its own (interests)" - literally does not demand its own way. A carnal relationship insists on its rights and privileges; a mature love emphasizes its responsibilities. The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals three kinds of people: 1) "What's yours is mine, I'll take it." (robbers); 2) "What's mine is mine, I'll keep it." (priests and levites); 3) "What's mine is yours, I'll share it." 5 / 10

6 (samaritan) H. "is not provoked" - literally is not irritable, touchy or sharp in spirit. Christians should not get exasperated with people and fly into a temper. Sarcasm, criticism and biting words are the by-products of anger (see Ephesians 4:26, 31) I. "thinks no evil" - literally does not keep score, does not hold a grudge. The Greek word logizeshthai is an accountant's word for entering an item in a ledger which will not be forgotten. Love doesn't keep score. It forgives and forgets. J. "does not rejoice in iniquity" - literally it takes no delight in the misfortune of another. Love takes no pleasure in even hearing something derogatory about another. Unfort unately, it is a symptom of pride that we often build ourselves up by tearing others down. K. "rejoices in the truth" - Jesus said "I am...the truth..." (John 14:6) Picture yourself in a disagreement with a loved one. Can you really rejoice if the truth proves you wrong? Love even values truth above winning an argument. L. "bears all things" - based on the Greek word for "roof." Love covers, protects, and conceals what is displeasing in another. 6 / 10

7 This suggests loyalty. Loyalty involves trust and faith as well as affection. Loyalty means that you don't put a loved one down in the presence of others. M. "believes all things - this does not mean you're gullible but rather that you choose to see the bright side. Not given to despair. Barclay, p. 123: & quot;this characteristic has a twofold aspect. (i) In relation to God it means that love takes God at His word, and can take every promise which begins Whosoever' and say, That means me.' (ii) In relation to our fellow men it means that love always believes the best about other people. It is often true that we make people what we believe them to be. If we show that we do not trust people, we may make them untrustworthy. If we show people that we trust them absolutely, we may make them trustworthy." N. "hopes all things" - this is a forward look that places trust squarely on God's shoulders. The Living Bible translates the phrase "expects the best of him" - If someone accuses your loved one, who do you believe? If you hear gossip or slander, with whom do you side? Often, expecting the best, produces the best in the long run. O. "endures all things" - the word is not passive but active. Love perseveres; it is never overwhelmed by circumstances. It carries on like a stout-hearted soldier. The Living Bible 7 / 10

8 translates the phrase " and will always stand your ground in defending him." Gary Smalley speaks of ascribing honor to a person. We choose to honor; if we honor someone, we will defend him/her. III. Exhibit Love's Permanence (13:8-13) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1639: "13:8-10 Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will come to an end because of the partial nature of their purpose. The time of their cessation (at least for knowledge and prophecy; cf. v. 9) will be when that which is perfect (or complete) has come' ( telos, Gk.). It is possible that tongues will cease in and of themselves prior to the ceasing of knowledge and prophecies. The middle voice in Greek is used for cease' with respect to tongues. The passive voice is used with fail' and vanish away' with respect to prophecies and knowledge. The middle voice often speaks of reflexive action, thus indicating that tongues may cease in and of themselves, whereas prophecies and knowledge must be acted on by the perfect' when it comes. That which is perfect' has been variously interpreted to mean (1) the completion of the canon of Scripture, (2) the maturity of the church at the close of the apostolic age, (3) the death of believers and their immediate presence with the Lord (cf. 2 Cor. 5:8), (4) the rapture of the church, (5) the return of Christ, (6) the eternal state, or (7) the eschaton (i.e., time events) as a unified whole." It seems to this writer that interpretations 1 and 2 best fit both church history and the intent of Scripture. If we look at the modern day prophet as a "forthteller" rather than a " foreteller", then we can look at prophecy in vs. 8 as predictions. 8 / 10

9 Once the canon closed and the apostolic age came to a close, the church had no need of further apostles, prophets, miracle workers, healers or speakers in unknown tongues. (At least no need in the sense of planting the church). God still heals and works miracles, though not through a gift. Vss. 11 and 12 speak of maturity and fit nicely with this interpretation of certain gifts ceasing with the close of the apostolic era. (2 Tim. 4:20) Verse 13 speak to abiding qualities of faith, hope and love. Application 1. Love must be translated into action. It's not enough to say it, we must do it; 2. Love is both our calling and our identity; 3. Love is eternal. Leader Pack: Item 11: Handout: Where There Is Love: Illustrator: (no article) Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: 9 / 10

10 y.org/ ; Dates: 2010 Dates: 6/3-8/5 - MetroLIVE in the City; 7/11 - Lord's Supper in services; 7/ Houston Project; 7/21 - Midsummer Night Thing; 7/ HUB Rush Week; 7/25 - Stuart Rosberg will be preaching; 7/30 - Children's Family Mission Day; 7/ Spamarama Missions Lock-in; 8/1 and 8/8 - David Self will be preaching; 8/9 - Fuller Seminary Conf. with Dr. Reggie McNeal; 8/13 - Children's Back to School Bash; 8/15 - Curt Jones will be preaching; 8/15 - Promotion Sunday; 8/17 - FBA First Day of School; 8/18 - HUB Summer Rush Celebration; 8/25-11/17 - Fall Midlink; 8/29 - Summit Up. 10 / 10