Love Never Fails
1 Corinthians 13 - Love
Pastor Tom
August 30, 2009
1 Corinthians 13:7
But could we be missing the great opportunity life presents to invest in the eternal? A church with people like you and me struggled with this about 2000 years ago. They had lots of influence, gifts and opportunities. They lived in a key city that was a center for trade and religion. But they had become way too focused on the temporary at the expense of the eternal. The Apostle Paul calls them back. He shows them a way to spend the rest of their lives contributing to something that would last forever. Can you imagine having part in something that will last forever? That’s what Paul laid out for the people of this church. He lays out the same possibility for us.
Love always
1 Corinthians 13 - Love
Pastor Tom
August 23, 2009
1 Corinthians 13:7
People make some pretty ridiculous statements. But so does God, at first glance. Today we’re going to see a description of love that seems ridiculous. God commands us to always love. God calls us to give love in all things. In fact, the key verse we’ll be looking at today contains the word all four times to emphasize the allness. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I have to admit to you, at first reading, it seems like God is making a pretty ridiculous and maybe even unrealistic statement.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
1 Corinthians 13 - Love
Pastor Tom
August 16, 2009
Did you ever think that rejoicing might be inappropriate sometimes? Is rejoicing ever wrong? What do you do when you receive an invitation to rejoice at something questionable? Might there be times when we dump our rejoicing on the ground! The Bible tells us of times when rejoicing WAS wrong. The Israelites made a golden calf when Moses took too long on the mountain. The Bible tells us they sacrificed offerings to this idol. Then they ate, drank and got up to indulge in revelry – celebration. (Exodus 32:6) But God was not impressed with their rejoicing. By the time Moses regained control, 3000 people were dead.
Love is not irritable or resentful
1 Corinthians 13 - Love
Pastor Tom
August 9, 2009
1 Corinthians 13:5
Is it okay to be irritable or easily angered? What about harboring grudges or keeping up family feuds? Is that just normal human nature? “That’s just the way he is; she is; I am. What’s the big deal?” I’m here to tell you today friends, that irritability and resentment pose a very serious danger. They can reveal something deeply wrong in our souls. When we’re irritable and resentful, we are not showing love to people around us. How do I know that? Because, the Apostle Paul identifies irritability and resentment as having no part of Biblical love.