Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15
Christmas is spelled L-O-V-E, as it reflects God's ultimate gift of love through Jesus Christ as described in John 3:16. Love is crucial for using spiritual gifts effectively.
Adrian Rogers says, "The real mark of the spirit-filled life is love."
1 Corinthians 13 unveils three main aspects of love.
The Virtues and Indispensability of Love
Love is absolutely indispensable, with no substitute. Without love, other highly valued attributes or actions are rendered meaningless:
Oratory or speaking with tongues becomes like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (v. 1)
Prophecy, understanding mysteries, and knowledge are as nothing. (v. 2)
Faith, even faith that can move mountains, is "nothing" without love. (v. 2)
Feeding the poor (bestowing all goods) or martyrdom (giving one's body to be burned) profit nothing if not motivated by genuine love. (v. 3)
Adrian Rogers says, "What our Lord is looking for more than people who will die for their faith, is people who will live for their faith, and show that living by loving."
The Characteristics of Love
These are described in verses 4-5: love is portrayed as having specific qualities:
Patient ("suffers long"); a lack of patience indicates a lack of love.
Kind, described as "love in the little things" and courtesy.
Not jealous ("envies not"); willing to give credit and praise others.
Humble ("not puffed up"); able to apologize and forgive.
Not rude ("does not behave unseemly").
Unselfish ("seeketh not its own"); focusing on showing love rather than personal gain.
Even-tempered ("not easily provoked"); an "evil temper" is highlighted as significantly damaging to Christian society.
Not suspicious ("thinks no evil"), avoiding paranoia or "mud-slinging".
The Victory and Eternality of Love
1 Corinthians 13:4 states simply, “Love never fails.”
It is eternal and will never pass away, unlike prophecies, tongues, and knowledge, which are temporary. Faith and hope find their fulfillment in Heaven, but love endures and is perfected in Heaven.
Love is the greatest virtue, the greatest commandment, the greatest testimony, the greatest motivation, and the greatest confirmation of salvation. Jesus' disciples will be recognized by their love for one another (John 13:35).
Apply it to your life
Prioritize demonstrating patient, kind, humble, and unselfish love in all aspects of your life. It is the most indispensable and enduring virtue, far better than any other achievement or gift.