The Power of Love (1 Corinthians 13)
This sermon explores the profound nature of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13, presenting it as the most powerful motivation in life. It invites listeners to understand that this divine love, sourced in God, is meant to flow through believers, transforming their interactions.
This sermon explains that true love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is not achievable by human strength alone. Instead, God's love, indwelling believers through the Holy Spirit, empowers them to live out these patient, kind, and selfless qualities.
Overview
The sermon begins by posing love as the strongest motivation in life, contrasting it with fear, greed, or lust. It introduces 1 Corinthians 13 as the "chapter of love," where the Apostle Paul highlights love's preeminence over communication, knowledge, faith, generosity, and even the ultimate sacrifice of life itself.
A critical point made is that no one can fulfill the actions of love described in verses 4 through 8 in their own strength. The sermon asserts that God Himself is the source of love, and when a person trusts Jesus Christ, God's love indwells them. The Holy Spirit then enables this divine love, not human love, to flow through believers as they surrender to Him.
The preacher elaborates on several specific attributes of this divine love. Love is patient, enabling believers to wait on God's timing and purposes, and is exemplified by agape love—unselfish, sacrificial, and focused on the other person's best interest. This contrasts with *phileo* (brotherly affection) and *eros* (desire, which isn't inherently bad but not agape).
Further descriptions include love being kind, not jealous (enabling sharing), possessing poise (humility rather than arrogance), being polite, and not seeking its own (willing to surrender rights). Finally, love is described as not being provoked, fostering a quiet spirit that remains unruffled by criticism or abuse, reflecting Jesus's example.
Key points
- Love is presented as the strongest motivation in life, surpassing fear, greed, lust, or even faith when considered alone.
- 1 Corinthians 13 emphasizes the preeminence of love over abilities, knowledge, great accomplishments, generosity, and ultimate sacrifice.
- It is impossible for individuals to fulfill the actions of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 in their own human strength.
- The source of this genuine love is God Himself, who indwells believers and allows His love to flow through them by the Holy Spirit.
- Agape love is defined as unselfish, sacrificial serving love that is committed to another person's happiness, security, and well-being.
- Love enables believers to be patient, kind, not jealous, poised (humble), polite, to surrender their rights, and to possess a quiet spirit not easily provoked.
- Responding with love, even when mistreated or provoked, reflects the supernatural capacity believers have through God's indwelling love.
In Charles Stanley's words
“There is a strength about love that's unmatched by anything else.”
“Most people will live their entire life and never learn how to genuinely love someone else.”
“You can't ever lose loving.”
Outline
- I. The Strongest Motivation in Life
- II. The Preeminence of Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
- A. Above the ability to communicate
- B. Above biblical knowledge and understanding
- C. Above faith that achieves great accomplishments
- D. Above generosity to the poor
- E. Above the ultimate sacrifice of life
- III. The Source of Love
- A. Human strength cannot fulfill the actions of love
- B. God is love; He indwells believers
- C. The Holy Spirit allows God's love to flow through us
- IV. How Love Acts (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
- A. Love is patient
- 1. Enables waiting on God's timing and purposes
- 2. Distinguishes agape love (unselfish, sacrificial) from phileo and eros
- B. Love is kind
- 1. Capacity to be kind, even to those unkind to us
- 2. Carries an idea of healing and forgetting self
- C. Love is not jealous
- 1. Enables sharing, not self-focused recognition
- D. Love has poise
- 1. Characterized by humility, quietness, and not needing to brag
- E. Love is polite
- 1. Enables godly manners in daily interactions, public and private
- F. Love does not seek its own
- 1. Enables surrendering rights, not defending them
- 2. Willingness to turn the other cheek, give more than asked
- G. Love is not provoked
- 1. Enables a quiet spirit no matter what external provocation
- 2. Contrasts with being easily angered or "touchy"
Scripture references
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.
Insights
God's love, not human effort, empowers us to genuinely love.
True love commits to another person's happiness and well-being.
Agape love moves beyond personal desires, treating others for their good.
Questions & answers
What is the sermon's main message about love?
The sermon teaches that genuine love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, originates from God and flows through believers by the Holy Spirit. This supernatural love enables them to exhibit qualities impossible to achieve in human strength.
How does the sermon define 'agape love'?
Agape love is defined as unselfish, sacrificial, serving love. It looks out for another person's best interest, committed to their happiness, security, and well-being, desiring to build them up in godly qualities.
Why does the preacher say humans cannot love perfectly on their own?
The preacher states that the actions of love in 1 Corinthians 13 are impossible to fulfill in human strength. God is the source of love, and only His love, flowing through believers, can enable such perfect expression.
What does it mean that 'love does not seek its own'?
This means that love enables a person to surrender their rights, rather than demanding or defending them. It implies a willingness to put others first and respond lovingly, even when mistreated, mirroring Jesus's example.
What is the connection between the Holy Spirit and love in this sermon?
The sermon explains that when a believer trusts Christ, God's love indwells them. The Holy Spirit then allows God's love to flow through them as they surrender, giving them the capacity to love supernaturally.
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Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.