Do Everything in Love
Introduction
Text in v14 – "Let all that you do be done in love"
Love
Do you think as a church we focus too much on love
Paul focused a lot on love
It is a theme that comes up multiple times
Jesus says to love God and our neighbour is the greatest command
We need to be stirred up to love
Paul devoted a whole chapter to love (1 Cor 13)
There is a danger we may be lacking in love
We may preach without grace
We can become hard
We can look down and criticise others
We can be active/busy but fail to do things in love
Overview:
The Imperative of Love
The Character of Love
The Perfection of Love
Very fitting as we come to the Communion Table
The Imperative of Love
"Let all that you do be done in love"
Everything!
Pray that you love for God will grow
Rom 12:10
A warm love, affection, visible love
Give deference to one another
Example
Rom 13:8-10
Do not have debts or owe others – only a debt a love
Pay this debt of love and fulfil the law
Fulfil the Ten Commandments by loving your neighbour
James 2:8
We need the love of God in us to love our neighbour
Example of King Charles
We must love the Lord our God with all our strength and our neighbour
The more you love God, the more you love others
The more you love others, the more it proves your love for God
Paul says do everything in love
Example of Jesus Christ
We are to imitate God – God is love
The Character of Love
There is much we could say, but we will look at v13-24
Love is not weak on doctrine (v13)
Be fixed upon the word of God
Example of The 39 Articles of Faith and the London 1689 Confession of Faith
1 Cor 13:6 – love rejoices in the truth
Example of defending your spouse
Love is not wimpish or unable to speak the truth
An order from an apostle (v1)
Paul directs others (v12)
Be brave and strong (v13)
We must be in balance: meek and kind, but also bold and strong
Example
We need to encourage and correct our children
Love is not hard or unfeeling
1 Cor 15:58 – "my beloved brethren"
"My love be with you all" (v24)
Not said in other letters from Paul
Paul desires grace for them (v23)
Quote from John McArthur
Examples of Paul’s love
He finds time to write to others – despite having enemies (v9)
He explains his plans – why he is unable to visit
He commends others – Timothy (v10-11)
He thinks of others – the household of Stephanas (v15)
He advises the respect of others (v16)
The love of others refreshed Paul’s spirit (v17-18)
Warm and affectionate love
Hearty greetings from Aquila and Priscilla (v19)
A holy kiss (v20) – as was the custom of the day
Believers opened their home – Stephanas and Aquila & Priscilla (v15, 19)
We should be given to hospitality – it is not just for Elders
Do we invite others to our homes and show hospitality
The Perfection of Love
We realise we are a long way off where we should be
The Corinthian church needed to grow up and be mature
A regular exposure to God’s word
And in obeying God’s word
A healthy fear of God (v22)
A challenge – do you really love Jesus?
Pray that you would love God more
Example of Song Lyrics
By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (v23)
We need to know His grace more and more
We need to pray this grace poured out in our lives