1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Love and the Fruit of the Spirit - Dr. Timothy Keller
1st Sermon in the Series - The Real Signs of the Spirit
- A changed heart meets love as a power and a person
- Galatians 5:19-26
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
- Life of service doesn't always mean a changed heart.
- Helping people to get God's approval means you are doing it only for you.
- Fear and pride enhances a person's self-centeredness.
- Real love happens through receiving God's love not through doing a bunch of good stuff.
- Real love is a power that picks you up and changes you.
- Loves suffers long and infinitely---which is the definition of Jesus' sacrifice.
Prayer if Confession based on 1 Corinthians 13
Love is patient.
Am I willing to endure trying people?
Love is kind.
Am I thinking or acting unkindly towards anyone?
Love is not possessive.
Am I manipulative? Do I use people?
Love is not boastful or proud.
Do I love to be the center of attention?
Love is courteous.
Am I considerate, thoughtful, warm?
Love is not selfish.
Am I always insistent on my needs and rights?
Love is not irritable or bitter.
Am I forgiving? Do I keep a record of wrongs?
Love delights in truth and righteousness.
Do I put obedience to God first in my life?
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