Download... August 14, 2011. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: I CORINTHIANS 13:1-13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And 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, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake 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 through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Most of us know the word that we use for charity here,.. means love. Many recognize these scriptures,.. as the “love chapter.” The original 'Greek form' of the word love is ..ἀγάπη,.. which in transliteration is ..agapē. As also does philos and adelphos which the term brotherly love is compounded from. So there is more than one word for love. In our above scriptural Text,..”love” is often meant as a sacrificial love, that Christ had for us, and what we should strive to have for one another.
It is the love that we are exhorted to have for each other in the community of Christ. This chapter here in the first letter to the Corinthians, follows another one we read, and were studying recently. We will try and keep this love definition in the context it is speaking of here, so we can see what it has to say to the Church, and all those that are part of it. It’s an epistle (a long letter) written and read to the Corinthians. It's not really a “universal” letter-but this chapter is a long one, ..written to them. It also includes all the chapters before, back to the beginning of I Corinthians. It has a meaning that is special when read consecutively, and so it is important when a “text” or thought, is not “pulled” out, ..of it’s original context.
Otherwise it loses it’s proper meaning, and can become whatever a person wants it to mean. Unfortunately that is often how this 13th chapter is used. Incorrectly implying that God's love stands alone ..without the context of His judgment, mercy, condemnation of sin, and etc. But we know that is not true, nor supported by the whole of the scriptures. This 13th chapter follows those previous ones of admonition from Paul, regarding their fellowship together, working with one another, in not allowing division among God’s people, regarding the different gifts of the church and it’s proper conduct ..which affects the worship service, etc. All of these chapters go with this one on love.
The Lord being our helper we will try and “bring some of that context in, this morning.” The apostle is writing to the saints of God at Corinth, and still is here in this 13th chapter of I Corinthians. They were having difficulties separating themselves from their pagan worship and practices of the past before God had saved them, ...and brought them into the church. God could not be pleased with those practices. They also had difficulties in how they treated each other, in a manner pleasing to God. This chapter follows chapter12 which deals with the spiritual gifts given and used in their worship services. It follows chapter 11 containing the exhortation of conduct of men and women in their services, following the 10th chapter on unity, showing the body of Christ must be unified. So the love chapter is preceded by chapters of admonition and even condemnation to properly instruct, ..for you cannot take God’s love out of it’s context, ...in spiritual accuracy.
So we’re going to speak about 3 things this morning, ...coming out of this chapter. The kind of love he is speaking about here, is what I would call;
1)”The Great Equalizer, ...in the Church.”
..If it is displayed properly it creates a ‘common denominator’ among brethren. It is of course of great need for unity.
2) This kind of love, comes only from God.
No man has a copyright or patent on it. It is a love only demonstrated by God’s love for us. It is not a human kind of love, but only one shown from our Heavenly Father, ...through His Son. A human love can demonstrate a “shadow” of God’s love, but still is not this type or kind of love. Christ’s kind of love was defined with His new commandment for us to love one another as He has loved us. (John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.)
3) This chapter is speaking of a love, ..to the church,..for the church.
A lot of people would like to take this chapter out, and apply it to “any situation, everywhere.” But by salutation, this letter’s does not apply to any situation, ..everywhere. That’s way it is not a general epistle, but to this church found at Corinth. This apostle-brother, had a special context of application to the church,..for the church. If you follow this, the Lord will bless you, and it will be evident to anyone that you are revealing the love that comes only from God. For that reason, this love is an evangelical tool, as written in this chapter for the church. Again, the love of God as the great equalizer, ..has two sides. One of judgment, in addition to the mercy. His love ...is also about the judgment or curses.
Some have presented the opinion that God would not have curses. Yet scriptures of Jesus own words,..tells us otherwise. (Mathew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea., Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.)
God throughout both the old and new testaments has pronounced curses upon evil. He hasn’t changed. In order for there to be righteous judgment, there has to be consequences for sin. Otherwise, ..there is no justice. Folks too often though, would "whitewash" ..with this chapter, any consequences for sin, saying there is nothing but love and forgiveness in the plan of God. But the plan of God is not complete without the justice of judgment. God’s plan thankfully does implement the mercy of forgiveness, for any that will forsake all their sins for true conversion. His merciful plan to cleanse and make us whole, is for all that meet the conditions. No partiality, when being made complete. Why then would some still be less than whole?” Because sin takes something out of you,.. the relationship with God. God desires to make us whole for a relationship with Him, ..through the removal of sins that are repented of and forsaken.
Galatians 2:9-14 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
So Paul here is reprimanding Peter for essentially being two-faced. For when he was with just the Gentiles,.. he ate with them. But after those of the circumcision came, he then withdrew himself, ..fearing them. So Paul is confronting Peter,..”are you extending your hand of fellowship to every blood washed one,...or just to those of the circumcision or Jews? Which is it? So Paul is chastising Peter. Why are we dealing here with chastisement while our text is one of love?
Let’s go to.. I Timothy 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Paul was practicing what he preached,..in confronting Peter, James and John,.. about their show of being partial. It is what we are exhorted by the scriptures to practice in society, as the testimony of God’s church. Is there is too much of you, that you are not effective? In being a testimony,..we are essentially a “billboard” of what we live.
What does your “billboard” reflect spiritually, to the world? What do they “see?” Are they able to see your profession. Or,..is there so much of “you”, that they have difficulty seeing the gospel lived in your life? A preacher for the gospel when he “hides” within the scriptures. It is the same for all professing salvation. You are only effective when your flesh is not on display, but only your service to God. When we go out into society, our desire should be to be an attractive “billboard” for the gospel. What have people been seeing in you lately?
When Paul was confronting Peter, it was a reprimand for showing partiality. When he was exhorting Timothy, it again was for warning against showing partiality, which would liken him to having a clique, and not having love one for another in it’s entirety. Don’t have little “groups,” or friends to the exclusion of other groups, or potential friends. That is partiality. Then others would not be able to see the gospel, ..but only see you. Partiality.
The reason for including these other thoughts/scriptures, is to illustrate some problems going on here at the church of Corinth. One of the things the church of Corinth was suffering from, was partiality. They were showing a preference of one over another. They did not want to deal with sin, when in their midst there was connections or relationships that would affect another. They didn’t want to “rock the boat.” Consequently sin remained, and was dividing them, destroying them, and tearing them up. This sin of partiality is not from the love of God.
If one (say I) were to “fall from grace,” it would need to be honestly dealt with, so I and others have a chance to be absolved of that sin,..which also affects others. God’s love leaves no room for partiality. It is the standard of honesty, no partiality, ..which is found only in God’s standard of love. So the love spoken of here in I Corinthians is of the love God has for His church. It shows no preference. If for instance I allow myself to prefer my acquaintances and friends, in their wrong over others, ...those friends will get no justice of God’s judgment. To show impartiality,..I cannot exclude them from biblical chastisement. If I do,..I am withholding God’s help for their souls, within His judgment.
Of course to spiritually help them, this must only be done with godly wisdom. Again ignoring wrong, or not recognizing another who is doing their best for God,..is partiality, and not of God’s love.
Too many when observing those receiving needed correction or chastisement of the word, accuse that it is not showing love to that one receiving the correction. They would accuse that you are not a “lovely person” ..if showing judgment, ..even though it is scripturally warranted. On the other hand, you can be so judgmental, no can see God’s love,..only your human judgment. Unattractive. There were times when Jesus turned over tables in the temple,...and times when He didn’t “turn over tables.” There were times when He confronted tax collectors (like Zacchaeus) pardoned their repentant heart, and ate with them in their houses. And again, times when he turned their tables over as in the temple (God’s house) when they were cheating others.
I can ignore wrong or subject it to what I call “love”,..or prefer love, at the expense of ignoring the wrong. Religion often does this. There is wrong that is there, that needs to be exposed, so somebody can get help. Many people go from church to church looking and wanting to get some help. Too often they are told, “God loves you, don’t worry about it.” But they are concerned about it, which is why they come to church ..looking for help. They often are aware they are living in sin, ..and desire to be free from it. Only to be often told, “God’s love frees you from the guilt.” They might reply that they want still, ..to be actually from free it, again only to be told “Don’t worry about it, it’s all covered.” That is essentially treating with love, at the expense of accepting the wrong. Partiality. Wrong. God’s word is in reality applied to all for He is not a respecter of persons. Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is not respecter of persons: Even if someone holds an honorable position in the body, if they are found in error, it has to be dealt with, ..without partiality or preference.
The gifts of the spirit will fail, if those do not first possess God’s true love of equalization. Again, I Corinthians 13: 2,3 And 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. I could have all the gifts that are distributed in the body, but if I don’t deliver them in God’s love, ...they are useless! You can deliver judgment, discern error, proclaim you see the church, etc., but if you can’t deliver it in God’s love, ..there is no spiritual credibility. Those gifts will mean nothing, and worse, .. is hurtful. A head knowledge without a heart change, ..is trouble!
God’s love is the great equalizer! One can come short of understanding, in their preaching skills, come short in judgment, etc., but we cannot allow our self to come short in God’s love, and still be effective for Christ. Verse 3 Again, ..Though I give my all for the poor, and even my body to be burned, but still have not charity, it profits me nothing. Love, is long-suffering, kind, envies not, bears all, etc., but again, without God’s equalizing love, is essentially useless. Even if you have a vision, “see” the Church, and Babylon, etc., it is still all nothing without God’s prescribed love. How long is long-suffering? It is much longer than you might think. Long past when you might think a problem should have been dealt with by God, whatever/whoever His instruments.
Kindness, ...it’s hard to have an attitude against a kind person. Charity envies not. You might think “I want or wish I had what they have.” Charity vaunteth not itself, (or pushes itself forward), is not “puffed up.” This is an easy trap to fall in, because modern day society teaches that you have to “push yourself forward” ..to get ahead. Sometimes that’s true in a physical or temporal sense,..you may need to raise your hand and validate your needed presence, etc. But we need to be careful of ‘our attitude,’ that it is not a pushing of ourself forward. You might wish someone could "see" ..what you do. The best answer to that is to pray; “God help them to see, what You want them to see,” and “regardless help me to be content.” God is faithful, He will show any what is needed, ..if they allow Him to. You won’t cause a fuss, nor a division. The body of Christ will be,..more supremely important.
Verse 5; ...Doth not behave unseemly, seeketh not her own, not easily provoked, thinketh no evil (or being tempted). Are you ever tempted? Most of us would have to admit at one time or another, we have been tempted. But in this scripture it says that “Love is not tempted” (or thinketh no evil.) It is made possible because this love is from God, and not man. This is the ideal love. It is a love from heaven,.. that identifies God. Saints as humans, can often be described as aligned with all these love attributes. But God is 'Always' ..like this described love.
People too often want to hold someone else accountable to these exhortations, without themselves being perfectly aligned. “Oh,.. you did not long-suffer “ (adequately) then condemning them of not being the church. “You ‘say ‘ you are” (accusing them of not being 100% always line up with these love descriptions.)
It would be better if they could demonstrate anyone that is always 100% perfectly aligned up, ..and let us other ones know. For too often, there are those who hold a “standard so high” ..that one finds it near impossible to achieve it. Then they will accuse you of being a hypocrite. They won’t hold themselves to that degree of standard,..but they will hold you to it. They take their spiritual guns, and “shoot you.” NO one is Always going to be this, ..all the time, ..however disappointing that might be to someone. You can still be a child of God, and fail to always be this,.. All the time.
We have to recognize that human beings are going to sometimes fall short. That does not mean they are separated from God. It does not mean that it is their desire to go out and sin and behave like the “world.” But humanly, our humanity is sometimes going to be reflected in ways, ..that we wish it wouldn’t. That’s where we need to understand this is the love of God coming from Heaven, shown through Christ, ..to us. So when you turn this around, and make it somehow something that I can always do, ..then it becomes a human thing.
“Become as a sounding brass and or a tinkling cymbal.” We just read where Peter, James and John, ...had fallen short. (Galatians 2:9-14) And,..also Timothy needing an exhortation against preferring others or impartiality. (I Timothy 5:21). Wonder why this would be? This example of Peter earlier makes it apparent that our humanity can get in the way sometimes, requiring an exhortation of this type. ‘Even though they were gospel workers,’ ...they needed this exhortation of God’s equalizing love. Peter had unwittingly shown preference for the Jews, ..bringing him a needed correction. But that did not take him out of the kingdom of God,...did it? So apparently our humanity can get “in the way” sometimes, of implementing I Corinthians 13’s exhortations.
I Corinthians 13:6,7 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; That’s why we can maintain a desire to implement this chapter's exhortations. ‘Because’ we do not rejoice in iniquity, ...but rejoice in the truth. 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. An important question,..do you always bear everything the way you would want to? Do you always believe all things,...or do you sometimes have a struggle? Do you always hope like you know you should, and endureth all things, always, in all things? Hopefully this does not burst anyone’s ‘bubble”, ...but you don’t! Even if you thought you did,..you don’t. This is not taking away anyones salvation or desire to serve God. It is also not to suggest that one day we are in sin, and the next day we’re not. That’s not it at all! But you have to remember ..you are still a human being.
We can be sanctified, and still be human at the same time. But the human part, is the part that from time to time is going to need correction, ..it is going to need judgment. We need to understand the love of God from heaven,..is an ideal. It is what we are consistently striving for. I Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. So there is a maturity to be had in Christ. For we have not yet “arrived!” We are complete in God’s love, ...and yet humanly fallible. God has changed and redeemed us from all sin. If love does not motivate us, ..we are holding on to “something.” If we don’t let go, but “continue on,” ..we are essentially “playing church.” If you are aware of your struggle to let go of motivations of self, ..you need to “sell out.” The love of God will enable you to give up all "known" fleshly hindrances.
Quite often hindrances will come “through” family or friend connections. If you practice giving up “self”, as often as you are aware, you will be motivated more by God’s supreme love. It is necessary for one to start somewhere,..so God can cultivate His love within them. Humanly though, in our emotions, activities, and actions, ..we will not ‘always’ bear all things, and in being always kind and selfless.” We are all fallible, even as we strive for implementing the love of God in our life.
If we “see” our brother or sister at times, also not ideally implementing God’s ideal love, ..who are we to condemn them? Paul is exhorting us to “strive for” God’s ideal love so we can be more fully measured without judging our brethren. Not in excusing actual sin, but “judging impartially” and not being partial which is against our "biblical commands.” We may think we “see” envy, jealousy, hatred, ...therefore giving our-self permission to “judge” them. NO. God’s love will recognize we as human are fallible,..so in impartiality, we must love one another, not focusing on "one", ..while "ignoring another." Bro Goble exhorted “never hold it harder on the congregation, than you would on your own family.” If you do, the ones needing judgment will not be able to “see” their need, only their hatred etc. ...for your inequality or partiality.
If we need to ask forgiveness or apologize, it will not be valid unless we are genuinely contrite. “It appears I have offended you” (though you are not really motivated) ...to ask forgiveness, while still holding onto your own partiality. That would not be founded in God’s impartial love ..in sincerity. Each must try to recognize their own offensive behavior ...so they can in sincerity ask for forgiveness, ..making visible that they care for the other person. Not necessarily changing your convictions, but in humility yielding to another one’s concern, therefore gaining that brother’s confidence. Be careful what you call “truth”, (i.e. “the world is flat, etc.) For you will need to not back up easily, ..unless humbled in repentance of it.
Husbands and wives are tested in this, they need to in humility prefer the other, rather than holding to their own position. “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” Romans 3:4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Regardless of “being right,” we need to be in God’s love, ..to solve conflict and trouble. If a person reserves their right to accept what’s truth, they can still show concern and care about the other person’s convictions. Removing the offense if possible, shows the love of God,..The Great Equalizer.
“If only you had the love of God and had it working,” or, “Hope the earth doesn’t swallow you up.” 'This attitude' ..doesn’t demonstrate the equalizing love of God. The 'world' will not be able to fully accept this message,..it is only for the church! The best time to “see” the lighthouse, is when it is at it’s darkest. In the natural, it is more dangerous when we have the addition of cloudy conditions, or storms. Conversely, spiritually, in dark, cloudy, and stormy times, ..it is even more important to show God’s genuine spiritual love. It can shine to the salvation of souls, if we demonstrate it. Often it’s a one way shining, (it may not be returned). Shine it anyway,.. impartially. It can’t be based on "if the other one will show their light back." That would be insincere.
If the attitude is “I’m sorry you can’t see your problem, but I have the love to not be bound by your perceptions.” Hypocrisy. God’s love will show I care, ...and I won't be willing to “move” ..until we solve this problem. It is sanctimonious to claim a soul burden, yet neglect attempting every effort to solve the problem between you and the “brother” in question, to avoid a division. While the love of God must be motivated by both sides to solve the problem, yet if only a one sided effort,..every effort needs to be exhausted to do your best. For a marriage to be successful it must go past the desires,..but suffering long with the differences with a sacrificial resolve. Otherwise they fail to “see” the value of love to work, .. to resolve.
“Cast not away your confidence” Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (For it takes work.) “Physician, heal thyself”.... we are to be a spiritual physician to the lost! But yet sometimes we need to first heal ourselves, to have God’s sacrificial love working in our soul. The “lighthouse” must be clearly shining, to be the direction and help to reach the lost!
