Let Us Do Everything with Love (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Introduction:
1. This morning we studied passages that answer 4 questions about "love" [the first of 9 characteristics making up the fruit of the Spirit]. 2. This evening we are examining some additional passages that teach us why we are to everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14). 3. We are basing our lesson on 1 Corinthians 13, "the love chapter."
Discussion:
I. (vs.1-3) WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WITH LOVE BECAUSE WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT IT
A. (vs.1-2) This point is made in reference to spiritual gifts. B. (vs.3) This point is also made in reference to benevolence and acts of sacrifice. C. A careful study of 1 Corinthians shows that love was lacking or missing in things done by the Christians in Corinth.
II. (vs.4-7) WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WITH LOVE BECAUSE OF HOW IT BEHAVES
A. 15 characteristics of love are listed, including 8 negative and 7 positive. B. 8 negative characteristics: 1. does not envy (is not jealous) 2. does not vaunt itself (doesn’t brag or boast) 3. is not puffed up (arrogant) 4. does not behave itself unseemly (act is a way unbecoming of a child of God) 5. does not seek its own (have to have its own way) 6. is not easily provoked 7. does not think evil (does not take into account a wrong suffered) 8. does not rejoice in iniquity (unrighteousness). C. The Lord does not approve of things being done by people who possess these characteristics. D. 7 positive characteristics: 1. suffers long (is patient) 2. is kind 3. rejoices in the truth 4. bears all things 5. believes all things 6. hopes all things 7. endures all things. E. The Lord does approve of things being done by people who possess these characteristics.
III. (vs.8-13) WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WITH LOVE BECAUSE IT IS EVERLASTING
A. Love never fails, even though spiritual gifts failed, ceased, and vanished away. B. The Lord never intended for spiritual gifts to last forever -- they were temporary. C. However, He intended for love to last forever (John 13:34-35).
Conclusion:
1. In everything we do, let us remember the admonition in Colossians 3:17. 2. Let us also remember the admonition in 1 Corinthians 16:14.
