Love – does not seek its own
Introduction
1 Cor 13:
Teaches us about love
Jesus shows us what love looks like in the flesh
It also confronts us with our failure to love
It teaches us how to love
Looking at ‘Love does not seek its own’
Book by Philip Ryken
We must trust in God’s plans
Hymn: Have Thine own way Lord
Really we want our own way
Love does not seek its own …
Love does not seek it own … anything
Examples
This is at odds with our modern society
Quote from Philip Ryken: “We are engaged in a lifelong love affair with ourselves”
We do not neglect ourselves – examples
‘Me Centeredness’ – Example of Corinthian Church
Examples of self-seeking behaviour:
Squabbling over those they followed – Chapter 3
Gross sexual immorality – Chapter 5
Defrauding and suing one another – Chapter 6
Not considering one another regarding idol food – Chapter 8
Not sharing food at Communion – Chapter 11
People grabbing attention in church services – Chapter 14
Are we selfish:
Money / time / conversation
Rather than thinking of others
‘Other Centeredness’ – Example of Paul’s Life
“Imitate me”
Not that he is perfect but trying to set an example
Paul gives examples of putting others first
Food – chapter 8
Finances – chapter 9
Work / Relationships
1 Cor 10:24 – Seek the good of others
Think about the time you have
Not just to be ‘better’ people – do all to the glory of God” – 1 Cor 10:31
‘God Centeredness’ – Example of Jesus Christ
Examples from Jesus’ life:
Not married, no home, no career, no holidays
His life was characterised by asking ‘what would be best for others’
Matt 26
Example of exam, wedding day
Jesus knew He would be betrayed and crucified
Thursday night – reality starts to hit home
He was sorrowful and deeply distressed – Matt 26:37
He asked for the ‘cup of suffering’ to pass – Matt 26:39
This was God’s wrath and anger – examples of sin
The punishment poured out on Jesus
No wonder He was distressed
There is no other way for sin to be dealt with
Not as I will, but as you will – Matt 26:39
He prays the same in v42 and v44
He knows what agony is coming – but yet He prays ‘not my will’
He is not seeking His own
If we want to know what love really looks like – we will see nothing greater than what Jesus has done at the cross
God wants us to run to Him and have our sins forgiven in Jesus Christ
A hard prayer to pray – but a good prayer to pray
Personal example
It is a hard prayer to pray when you know what it can mean
You can only pray this when you realise that God can be trusted and you are convinced that His way really is best
Consider the plan of salvation – His way was best