The More Excellent Way, Part 3 The Duration of Love. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

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Georgiana Ramsey
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1 The More Excellent Way, Part 3 The Duration of Love 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

2 The More Excellent Way The Necessity of Love (13:1-3) The Nature of Love (13:4-7) The Duration of Love (13:8-13)

3 1 Corinthians 13:8-11 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a

4 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV)

5 Gifts are Temporary Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. (8)

6 Ends (piptō) Literally: to collapse, fall down, become invalid, fail.

7 Temporary Gifts Prophecy will pass away (katargeō) to reduce to inactivity Tongues will cease (pauō) stop, cease Knowledge will pass away (katargeō) to reduce to inactivity *The partial (10) and childish ways (11) are also going to pass away (katargeō).

8 Brief Definitions Prophecy the supernatural proclamation of the Word of God (more forth-telling, than fore-telling). Tongues the supernatural ability to speak a language not learned. Knowledge the supernatural ability to speak to matters that had not been directly revealed by God.

9 The Perfect (teleion) Complete, mature, perfect. Used with a definite article

10 When Will the Gifts Cease? Three Views Perfection refers to the arrival of the full revelation of doctrine found in the completed N.T. Perfection is reached with the mature, loving church when they no longer need the contribution of the lesser gifts. Perfection refers to the 2nd coming of Christ.

11 Gifts are Partial For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away (9-10)

12 Three Descriptions of Immaturity Child vs. Adult When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. (13:11, ESV)

13 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but... as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready. (ESV)

14 Three Descriptions of Immaturity Child vs. Adult Mirror vs. Direct Vision For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. (13:12, ESV)

15 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 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 but have not love, I am nothing. (ESV)

16 Three Descriptions of Immaturity Child vs. Adult Mirror vs. Direct Vision Partial vs. Full Knowledge Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (13:12, ESV)

17 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. (ESV)

18 Philippians 3:10, 12 That I may know him Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (ESV)

19 Romans 11:33-34 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? (ESV)

20 Bookends of 1 Corinthians 12:31 & 13:13 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV)

21 Higher Gifts Faith For without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6) Hope We have our hope set on the living God, who is Savior of all people, especially those who believe (1 Tim 4:10) Love So now faith, hope, and love abide but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:13)

22 Love is Eternal So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love (13)

23 Why is Love Greater? Love since it never ends, but always remains must be greater. Love since it demonstrates the very nature of God must be greater. Love since it binds the Christian community together and elevates the other gifts must be greater. Love since it is testimony to the world that we are followers of Christ must be greater.

24 D.A. Carson The church s manifestation in time of the glories that are yet to come is not accomplished in the gift of tongues, nor even in prophecy It is accomplished in love The greatest evidence that heaven has invaded our sphere, that the Spirit has been poured out upon us, that we are citizens of a kingdom not yet consummated is Christian love.

25 The More Excellent Way, Part 3 The Duration of Love So now faith, hope, and love abide but the greatest of these is love (13)

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