Setting Priorities in the Spirit 2: Supremacy of Love
Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2009
by B RISTICH
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. (1 Cor. 12:31) I. God calls us to earnestly desire to operate in the power of God
II. The supremacy of love (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 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. (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
III. The character of love (1 COR. 13:4-7)
Essence of love (v. 4a): How love does not act (8 negatives; v. 4b-6b) and does act (5 positive; v. 6c-7)
Love suffers long and is kind ; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
IV. The permanence of love (1 COR. 13:8-13)
Love never fails . But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
(1 Cor. 13:8-13)
V. L ove and Faith working together: flowing in the gifts of the Spirit
Pursue love , and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (1 Cor. 14:1)
II. The supremacy of love (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 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. (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
Essence of love (v. 4a): How love does not act (8 negatives; v. 4b-6b) and does act (5 positive; v. 6c-7)
Love suffers long and is kind ; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
IV. The permanence of love (1 COR. 13:8-13)
Love never fails . But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
(1 Cor. 13:8-13)
V. L ove and Faith working together: flowing in the gifts of the Spirit
Pursue love , and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (1 Cor. 14:1)
Published by:
B & H Ministries Media Communications a Division of NCR Publishing, New Millennium Ministries
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