Love is not self centred
Introduction
Considering one verse – v5
Paul is spending a whole chapter on love because of the problems in the Corinthian Church
Examples
The Spirit of Jesus is the Spirit of love
We have the Holy Spirit so that the love of God will be poured out in our hearts
This Church felt it was spiritual, powerful and a model to others
It was no example
It lacked love
It was carnal and immature
Love is not carnal, not rude, it respects others, it does not show contempt, it is kind
It is not rude
It is not about ourselves but serving others
It is not provoked or easily offended
It is not evil – 1 Peter 2:20
Examples of how Jesus was provoked
This love is supernatural – the love of God
It is not fault finding
As we come to the Communion table tonight
Test our thoughts
Test our reactions
Test our motivation
Test our thoughts
As a man thinks – so he is
Out of the heart – come evil thoughts
Are our hearts governed by the love of God?
Is the love of Christ winning this battle?
Does our interior match our exterior?
God knows what is on the inside?
Is it love that motivates and drives us?
The Corinthians acted carnally – examples
When you come to the Communion table – you come to remember Christ
What are out thoughts like?
Proud – examples
Rude – examples
Self-seeking (revolving around ourselves) – examples
Jesus emptied Himself – though He was equal with/was God
Are you convicted by this?
It is only Jesus who fulfils all these requirements
We are full of sin – yet we can seek after these characteristics of love, we are to be like Christ, we are to walk in His footsteps
We need to pray that God would make us more like Jesus
What are your thoughts?
Test our reactions
How do you respond when someone attacks or provokes you?
Do we pity, love, think the best of them, consider they might be having a bad day, wonder if something is going on in their life?
Do we consider if we have acted in similar ways – so we modify our behaviour?
How irritable are you?
Are you prickly?
Listen to what people say of you
Think of Jesus before the Sanhedrin and Pilate
Think how He was treated – examples
Think how He was provoked
Yet He is governed by the grace of God
If we understand that God is for us, that nothing can separate us from the love of God
When provocation comes – God can teach us not to respond in kind
God can do this when we are seeking God, in prayer and walking in the spirit
What are your reactions?
Test our motivation
Does the love of Christ motivate us?
Love for sinners motivated Christ to come from heaven
He was willing to die for us on the cross
His love covered all our sins
He choose to remember our sins no more
He has completely forgive our sins
What about us?
Love thinks no evil – or better translated ‘keeps no record of wrongs’
We keep no mental tally
We choose to remember no more
Quote
Do we draw a persons’ past failings into the present?
Are we motivated by grace and love?
Various Quotes from Jonathan Edwards
How quick we can be to judge others and magnify others – instead of being kind and forgiving?
What are your motivations?
Closing Remarks
As we approach the Communion table
Do not be like the ‘disciples of thunder’
Do not have rivalry like the apostles
Remember there is forgiveness and full redemption at the cross
Consecrate yourself again to God