WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.860 I'm so glad you have joined us this morning on this, what feels like the first day of 00:00:06.860 --> 00:00:12.080 summer in our church and in our church life, and especially a warm welcome to all of you 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:15.099 who have joined us from the Ethiopian Eritrean ministry. 00:00:15.259 --> 00:00:18.440 We are so glad that you have joined us this morning. 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:29.839 This past weekend, a week ago now, I had the privilege of going to my 25th college reunion 00:00:29.839 --> 00:00:37.780 which means 25 years ago I graduated, which now makes me feel very old, but it was a 00:00:37.780 --> 00:00:43.060 sweet time of going back and reconnecting with friends, some of whom I haven't seen for years 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:49.260 and years, and being encouraged by seeing them and talking with them about how they have faithfully 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:56.299 sought to serve the Lord and to continue walking with Him through many seasons of life, many 00:00:56.299 --> 00:00:56.859 challenges. 00:00:57.119 --> 00:01:00.439 It was really a blessing to be with them. 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:08.439 But I was reminded by my friends there of what I was like when I was a freshman. 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:17.780 When I arrived, I had been a Christian for one year, and I was full of zeal and not a lot 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:18.500 of humility. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:26.500 I walked into this campus fellowship and instantly saw all the things that they didn't do very 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:30.379 well and thought about all the ways that they could do things better. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:35.560 They had a freshman Bible study, but I thought that wasn't enough. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:42.319 So I created, you can only imagine this, I created among my peers, small groups on our 00:01:42.319 --> 00:01:48.260 own for more time together of fellowship and prayer and Bible study beyond what they had 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:50.719 done because, well, what they were doing wasn't enough. 00:01:52.020 --> 00:01:56.020 I also looked at them and I thought, gosh, I don't think they're doing very good outreach, 00:01:56.120 --> 00:02:02.600 so I'm going to come and build my brilliant idea of renting a snow cone machine and putting 00:02:02.600 --> 00:02:07.680 it in the college fellowship hall and hoping that people might come by and talk to us while 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:09.099 they had a free snow cone. 00:02:09.860 --> 00:02:11.599 It was an abject failure. 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:14.859 And yet I thought, hey, at least I tried. 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:19.859 Look at me and how much I'm doing for the kingdom of God. 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:29.939 Well, as you might imagine, the staff who are still there say, well, yep, we survived Matt's 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:35.479 freshman and sophomore year, and in God's grace, there was some growth. 00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:44.199 But at the beginning, there was in my heart such a pride, such a critical spirit, such 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:49.879 a puffing up of myself and what I thought I was going to bring to this group. 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:55.620 Underneath it, I think I had a desire. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:03:00.379 I had a desire to make a difference and a desire for God's glory. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:02.419 And that was a good thing. 00:03:02.419 --> 00:03:06.719 But the bad thing was that I thought that I was the answer to that desire. 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:12.019 I thought I was going to bring the things that was actually going to change the campus 00:03:12.019 --> 00:03:12.779 in the world. 00:03:13.179 --> 00:03:18.119 I thought God was pretty lucky to have me on his side, to be honest. 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:22.539 And it was pretty selfish. 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:26.839 It was pretty self-centered and self-oriented. 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:30.339 And it lacked a lot of love. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:35.379 I don't know if any of you can identify with that. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:41.879 A desire to do something, a desire to serve, a desire to help, a desire to make a difference. 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:53.180 And yet, often unintentionally, that self-orientation finds itself right in the center of what we 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:53.560 do. 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:57.360 How often we think it's about us. 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:03.920 Fruit of it in my spirit. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:05.259 I see it. 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:09.060 Even to this day, I can see it creeping in at times. 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:10.900 A critical spirit. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:15.920 An impatience with others when they don't do what I think they ought to be doing. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:22.019 A lack of teachability, where I hold everyone's advice at arm's length and sort of consider 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:25.379 it and think, oh, I wonder if I agree with that or not. 00:04:25.919 --> 00:04:30.599 An unwillingness to listen to someone who I don't automatically respect for a particular 00:04:30.599 --> 00:04:31.180 reason. 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:38.800 And interestingly, one of the other things that I've noticed that is actually a part of this 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:39.980 is self-pity. 00:04:40.939 --> 00:04:45.900 When I fail or when I see my own weaknesses, I excuse myself. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:50.040 I think of all the good reasons why, well, I know I couldn't do that. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:55.639 And yet, that self-pity then also justifies my critical spirit in other people. 00:04:55.639 --> 00:05:00.959 It wasn't just in my desire in ministry. 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:06.519 It was also, sadly, also true in my dating life for many, many years. 00:05:08.979 --> 00:05:15.000 Thankfully, God confronted me on that before I got married and did some good work. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:18.519 He's still at work in my heart. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:20.839 These things are not gone. 00:05:22.919 --> 00:05:25.579 But by God's grace, there has been some growth. 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:28.560 What about you? 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:34.300 Why do you do what you do? 00:05:35.620 --> 00:05:45.120 What is it that drives your investment in serving, in helping, whether it be in church or in the 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:45.519 world? 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:50.000 What drives you as you're doing those things? 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:59.160 There are often, almost always, there's a mixture in that, in the answer to that question. 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:02.000 There are always going to be good things in there. 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:06.100 We're about to look at the passage in 1 Corinthians 13. 00:06:06.100 --> 00:06:11.140 But it comes right after 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul has spent, if you've been here for a couple 00:06:11.140 --> 00:06:12.180 of weeks, you'll remember this. 00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:18.080 Paul has spent this whole time saying, each of you in the church has been gifted by the 00:06:18.080 --> 00:06:19.160 Spirit of God. 00:06:19.580 --> 00:06:25.960 And each of you is valuable and important because of the various and diverse gifts that God has 00:06:25.960 --> 00:06:26.620 given you. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:30.000 So don't puff yourself up about what you have. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.680 Don't look down on other people because of what they have. 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:37.899 But each of you, bring your gift to the table and contribute it for the good. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:44.899 So Paul isn't saying that we don't have things to bring and things to offer and ways that God 00:06:44.899 --> 00:06:46.120 wants to use us. 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:53.579 But he is saying, as we bring those things, whether it's here in the church or in the 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:55.720 world, he's asking us a deeper question. 00:06:56.300 --> 00:06:58.480 And that is, how do you hold those things? 00:06:58.920 --> 00:07:04.160 How do you hold the things that God has given you, the gifts that he's given you, the contributions, 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:06.360 the opportunities to serve others? 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:08.360 What do you do with them? 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:12.319 That's what leads us to our passage this morning. 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:20.159 If you want to turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 13, it's page 940, 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:22.579 50 something, 50. 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:24.579 It's in the bulletin. 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:26.180 Sorry, I forgot to look that up. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:29.360 954. 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:32.420 So, and 59. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:34.219 I'm getting hand signals. 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:34.980 This is good. 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:36.180 59. 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:38.860 For those of you who can find it. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:45.379 We're going to be looking at just verses 1 through 3 this morning. 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:47.819 So, let me give you a chance to read it. 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:53.540 I'm actually going to begin with the last sentence of chapter 12 because I think it is a transitional 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:54.720 statement for us. 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:58.120 Let's read the Word of God together. 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:02.500 And I will show you a still, more excellent way. 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:12.259 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:20.120 If I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:26.660 so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:38.019 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.399 Please pray with me as we continue. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:50.699 Oh, Spirit of the living God, will you search our hearts this morning? 00:08:52.759 --> 00:09:01.019 Lord, we ask that you would search our hearts to see if there is any wicked way in us and 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:02.699 lead us in the way of everlasting. 00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:10.960 Lord, will you search our hearts to see whether truly we do have love in our hearts? 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:15.540 God, I pray you would use me in my words this morning. 00:09:16.400 --> 00:09:20.780 Lord, I pray that you would prepare all of our hearts for the Word that you have for us. 00:09:21.560 --> 00:09:23.379 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:09:24.580 --> 00:09:24.900 Amen. 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:26.920 Amen. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:27.079 Amen. 00:09:28.079 --> 00:09:34.259 Well, this is the beginning of, as you know, is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:39.479 Many of you have heard it because it's read more often than I think any other verses in 00:09:39.479 --> 00:09:44.500 the Bible at weddings, and therefore it is one of the most well-known verses. 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:49.479 And you know, using it in weddings is fine, but I want you to recognize that in the context 00:09:49.479 --> 00:09:55.419 of what the Apostle Paul is communicating to the Corinthian church, the first application is 00:09:55.419 --> 00:10:01.699 how do we live in community as a group of believers who follow Jesus Christ? 00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:05.559 What characterizes the way that we relate to one another? 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:11.599 And particularly in this section, how do we, as we gather together like we are this morning, 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:18.120 how do we treat one another in the context of our corporate worship? 00:10:19.339 --> 00:10:20.899 How do we do that? 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:25.679 And particularly the question of spiritual gifts has come up. 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:29.699 All of chapter 12 has given us a broad picture of spiritual gifts. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:37.319 Chapter 14 will jump to the specific question of speaking in tongues and prophecy and what 00:10:37.319 --> 00:10:43.939 is profitable and helpful and useful as we gather together in exercising these gifts. 00:10:43.940 --> 00:10:49.680 But in chapter 13, Paul goes to the depths of our soul. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:51.740 He goes to the depths of our heart. 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.320 And it's not a mistake. 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:59.120 If you've read 1 Corinthians, sometimes you think, chapter 13 feels out of context. 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:01.260 But I hope that you'll see it's not. 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:04.380 It actually is at the very heart of the matter. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:14.360 Because what Paul says is love is the primary, the dominant characteristic that God desires 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:19.100 to be seen in his people and to be demonstrated to one another. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:26.000 It is love that shows us that we are truly gods. 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:31.559 And it is love that displays to the world the kind of God we serve. 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:37.099 As we come together in these corporate worship and as we live our lives in various other ways. 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:40.699 He's saying this is the key to it all. 00:11:41.739 --> 00:11:47.059 And that's obviously what we're seeing this morning in our passage. 00:11:47.739 --> 00:11:54.659 One more thing just about context before we jump in is that look back with me at the end of chapter 12. 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:59.079 Verse 31. 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:06.160 But earnestly desire the greater gifts, the higher gifts, and I will show you a more excellent way. 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:10.060 Paul isn't saying that our gifting is bad. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:12.379 Paul is saying our gifting is good. 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:15.560 Flip over to the beginning of chapter 14. 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.580 Verse 1. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:22.160 Pursue love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:25.180 Especially that you may prophesy. 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:28.699 Nick and Greg will explain that to you. 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:31.839 Why especially that when we get there. 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:37.959 But for now what I want you to see is that Paul is saying that love is the context. 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:45.319 Love is the underlying character quality with which we are meant to hold the spiritual gifts, 00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:47.799 the way that we serve, the way we contribute. 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:53.500 When love is there, these gifts flourish. 00:12:54.879 --> 00:13:01.519 When love is there, these gifts have their intended effect on those around us. 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:05.319 They have the intended impact that God gave them for us to have. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:09.959 Which leads us, of course, to our verses. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:11.240 Verses 1 through 3. 00:13:11.859 --> 00:13:12.559 And you know what, friends? 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:14.539 This is a really simple message to preach. 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:16.899 There's only one point, right? 00:13:17.119 --> 00:13:19.000 There's only one thing he's saying. 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:21.919 He says it three times, but there's only one thing he's saying. 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.619 Nothing matters. 00:13:25.439 --> 00:13:28.359 No service, no gifts, no contributions. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:33.399 Nothing matters when we don't have love. 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:38.919 That's the simple message that I want to explore this morning. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.939 So we're going to look at it. 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:44.459 How does that message map on to what Paul is addressing in the Corinthian church? 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:46.740 So what happened, what it looked like back then? 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:49.379 Then we're going to look at how it might look today. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:52.799 This question of how these things play out. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:57.500 And then we're going to look at how we respond to this challenging passage. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.620 And I will say this. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:03.259 Greg next week is going to preach on how to actually do it. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:05.539 What does it look like to actually love one another? 00:14:05.819 --> 00:14:09.080 So if you're expecting that sermon today, come back next week. 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:11.559 Or pick it up on the website if you're just visiting. 00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:13.080 It will be there. 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:17.700 But we're not going to spend as much time about what love proactively, 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:20.679 what the pattern is this week. 00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:22.519 Because that's not what Paul is saying. 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:24.819 Paul is asking us simply the question, 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:26.919 do you have it or not? 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:32.240 What did it look like in the Corinthian context then? 00:14:32.319 --> 00:14:32.840 What was the question? 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:35.120 He's raising a hypothetical question. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:37.980 He starts all of these three verses with if. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:41.540 Even if might be a better translation. 00:14:41.780 --> 00:14:44.360 Even if I could do all of these great things. 00:14:44.680 --> 00:14:44.920 Right? 00:14:45.060 --> 00:14:48.240 The first thing he talks about is speaking in tongues. 00:14:48.660 --> 00:14:51.180 Speaking in tongues of men and of angels. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:58.019 Even if I have this great gift that you admire and exalt so high. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:15:01.299 Then he goes on. 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:05.759 He says, even if I have, verse 2, prophetic powers. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:10.220 An understanding of all mysteries and all knowledge. 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:12.519 And have all faith. 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:17.580 And if the translators were being consistent, there would also be an all in front of prophetic powers. 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:21.220 So we would see, if I have all of these things. 00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:22.320 Right? 00:15:22.540 --> 00:15:28.420 And Paul is, again, picking here on some of the things that the Corinthians have valued. 00:15:28.540 --> 00:15:31.040 You go back to chapters 1 through 4. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:36.740 And you see how much the Corinthians love their wisdom and love their knowledge. 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:44.899 And puff themselves up by thinking, what I have is greater than those poor people who don't have it. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:52.299 He even says, if I have all faith, even to move mountains. 00:15:55.100 --> 00:16:07.279 He's talking there about God's miraculous supernatural power to do things that are beyond the expectation of humanity. 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:09.460 Beyond our normal experience. 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:11.259 Beyond anything that we've seen. 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:16.059 Say, even if God is using me in those ways. 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:23.259 And then the third thing is he turns from the more spectacular. 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:30.500 In verse 3, he goes to, if I give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:36.039 Here he's talking about a kind of, a less spectacular, maybe in some ways. 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:49.980 But a more tangible and more physical reality of, I'm taking the things that I have and I'm giving them away for the sake of the gospel. 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:56.399 There's a little translation thing that I want to note. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:59.699 If you look at the bottom of your page, there's a footnote. 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:03.060 If I deliver up my body to be burned. 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:05.120 There's a little number there and you go to the bottom. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:07.200 It gives an alternate translation. 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:12.700 If I deliver up my body so that I may boast. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:17.100 It's one word, it's one letter in the Greek. 00:17:18.340 --> 00:17:20.880 It's 50-50 as to what it means. 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:22.600 I think both of them lead to it. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:32.619 But the reason why I pointed it out is because if it really does mean, if he really intended to say that I may boast, that's clearer, I think. 00:17:32.719 --> 00:17:37.019 That clarifies the intention that even if the other translation is better. 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:39.379 That I give up my body to be burned. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:43.839 Paul isn't saying this is a commendable thing on its own. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:49.559 But that this seems to be something done for spectacular effect. 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:55.359 So that people would look at me and think, what a great Christian I am that I would be so sacrificial. 00:17:55.819 --> 00:18:05.579 What a great person I am that I would do these grand, make these grand costly acts for the sake of others. 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:13.119 Paul says, these things may be true in you. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:16.159 God may be at work in you in these ways. 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:21.059 But if I have not love, they are nothing. 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:33.739 If there is no love accompanying, undergirding, shaping, and molding these actions, these gifts, these works, 00:18:34.479 --> 00:18:39.879 then there is no spiritual benefit. 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:43.360 Now that raises a question. 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:45.100 What does Paul mean, have not love? 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:49.800 Does he mean, have not warm feelings for my fellow people? 00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:57.660 Does it mean that I have the willies because I'm sort of excited about the possibilities of blessing other people? 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.280 No. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:01.740 I hope you know this. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.859 If you don't know this, you should. 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:13.139 Biblical, a biblical understanding of love is not simply nice feelings in our heart towards someone else. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:18.299 Biblical love has to do with actions. 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:24.859 Actions that are not self-oriented, but are oriented for the good of others. 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:28.439 This is what we see in God himself. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:33.679 God demonstrated his own love for us in this. 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:36.659 Not that he thought nicely about us. 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:39.619 That's not in the verse. 00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:40.879 I'm not quoting that verse. 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:44.599 That's my interpretation, right? 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:48.359 God demonstrated his own love for us in this. 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:53.199 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:59.199 Love is an action in the Bible primarily. 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:03.659 It is also an attitude that results in action. 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:10.259 And it acts sacrificially for the sake of others. 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:19.000 This is not only the nature of God's love for his people, but it is to be the nature of God's people as they love one another. 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:21.080 1 John 3. 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:35.139 If you see your brother in need and you do not act accordingly, if you do not respond by seeking to serve him and take care of him, you do not love. 00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:39.599 And you have no fellowship with God because of it. 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:48.799 Love is not simply caring more about others. 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:52.279 It is also about a forgetting of self. 00:20:54.079 --> 00:21:01.899 This is the trickiest thing about love because it's not something that we can do. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:08.779 Because even acts of love can so easily be infiltrated with our selfishness, can't it? 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:19.740 I love you because it makes our relationship more peaceable, more joyful, more happy. 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:21.879 And then I get along with you and that's nice. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:29.000 I love you because people look at me and think, 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:32.079 he's a pretty good husband. 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:34.119 He's a pretty good friend. 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:42.699 It's so easy for self to insert itself in the way that we love one another. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:47.240 And Paul says, 00:21:47.860 --> 00:21:50.299 if we have not love, 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:54.900 there is nothing of value that comes of it. 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.740 Look at it three times. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:58.160 First one in verse one. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.720 I'm a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:05.980 Not quite sure what these instruments were in the first century, 00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:07.100 but whatever they meant, 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:10.259 they were making noise, not music. 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:14.619 And they were making loud noise. 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:18.160 And he's particularly talking about speaking gifts, 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.500 speaking the tongues of angels. 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.839 And what he's saying is, 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:25.940 if you're speaking in tongues in the service without love, 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.240 you're worse than that fan. 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:30.019 You're making lots of noise. 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.819 And it's not contributing. 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:32.839 It's distracting. 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:34.200 And it's not helping. 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:34.839 It's hurting. 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:45.859 But notice that the real fault is not just that the gifts are ineffective. 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.819 Verse two. 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:49.079 He doesn't say, 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:53.019 if I have all these gifts of prophecy and knowledge and wisdom, 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:55.399 and if I have this faith, 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.959 but I don't have love, 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.299 well, they don't amount to anything. 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.799 What does it say? 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.839 Look with me again. 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:02.079 It says, 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:04.240 I am nothing. 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:06.099 In verse three, 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:06.720 he says, 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:09.279 I gain nothing. 00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:12.399 You see, 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.859 in the very core of this, 00:23:14.419 --> 00:23:16.299 Paul isn't attacking the gifts. 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:18.720 Because you know what the weird thing is? 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:20.679 God uses people 00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:24.179 even when they're not acting in love. 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:26.759 God in his gracious can use someone 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.339 who has spiritual gifts. 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:32.279 But what he is condemning here is, 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.059 he is saying, 00:23:33.459 --> 00:23:34.559 you are nothing. 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.159 You, 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:37.980 the thing that you most long for 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.839 in your boastful pride, 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.559 in your puffing yourself up, 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.639 in the exercise of it, 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.659 God looks at you and he says, 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.039 no, 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.199 you are not great. 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.379 You are nothing. 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:53.859 Commentator, 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:54.879 Don Carson, 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.799 says it this way. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:58.079 In none of these instances, 00:23:58.339 --> 00:24:00.919 does Paul depreciate spiritual gifts. 00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:03.839 But he refuses to recognize 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:05.839 any positive assessment 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:07.339 of any of them 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:09.019 unless the gift 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:11.119 is discharged in love. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.859 Principally, 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.319 therefore, 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.779 any particular gift 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:16.039 is dispensable 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:19.000 so far as spiritual profit 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:21.019 or the attestation 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.099 of the Spirit's presence 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.899 is concerned. 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.579 What he's saying there is, 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:27.539 you don't have to have 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.699 any particular gift 00:24:28.699 --> 00:24:30.539 or exercise any particular gift. 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.919 It's not necessary 00:24:31.919 --> 00:24:33.960 for you to have spiritual profit 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:36.019 or that the Spirit is with you. 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:40.379 But love is indispensable. 00:24:42.159 --> 00:24:44.119 When you don't have love, 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:45.839 you are nothing. 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:53.259 That's a sobering word for us, 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.679 isn't it? 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:56.799 Now, 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:57.799 maybe you're sitting there 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.500 and you're thinking, 00:24:58.959 --> 00:24:59.220 yeah, 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.339 but the Corinthian church 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:01.259 was kind of crazy. 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:03.639 We've been looking at 12 chapters 00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.659 of their craziness. 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:05.459 And, 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.799 you know, 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.639 does this really happen today? 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.740 Well, 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.579 clearly, 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.639 I think it does. 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.439 Partly because God's word 00:25:16.439 --> 00:25:17.619 will speak to us today. 00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:19.179 But also because 00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:20.879 I've experienced 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:22.000 some of these things. 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:22.720 I don't know 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.639 if you've ever had 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.419 this experience. 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.639 When I worked 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.519 in campus ministry, 00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:28.500 there were a couple years 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.039 when I worked 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:30.159 at Cornell University. 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:32.119 And during that time, 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.579 I don't know 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.980 how else to explain it, 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.460 but God was at work 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.539 in a special way. 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.199 And it was a really, 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.220 really sweet thing 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.879 to behold. 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.240 It was exciting. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.839 It was exhilarating. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.980 It was challenging. 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.859 It was stretching. 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.339 It was growing. 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.539 Just like in Corinth, 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.779 it seemed God 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:52.519 was doing great things 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.380 in some ways 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.660 among this congregation. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.079 And yet, 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.460 the danger is that 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:58.960 in the midst 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.660 of all those great things, 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:04.380 they could be warped 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:05.000 and twisted 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:07.380 and actually not end up 00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:08.279 having the kingdom 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.019 and the gospel shape 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:11.099 that God intended 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:11.980 them to have. 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:12.960 And they did not 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:14.700 produce the prophet, 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.819 the spiritual prophet 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.619 that they were meant 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.359 to have 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.980 because of this. 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.819 I saw this 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.759 among our students. 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.379 A certain faction 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.500 of them got very 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.240 caught up 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.980 in the immediate work 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.400 of God 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.379 in their lives, 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.180 in the way 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:31.359 that God was speaking 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:32.400 and giving them 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.019 impressions 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.759 about what they 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.420 ought to do 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.279 and not do. 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:40.000 They talked about 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.200 praying all night 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.019 and worshiping 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.720 all day 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:45.240 and there's something 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.579 in that 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.740 that was really sweet. 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.960 But as it went on, 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:50.460 the dark side 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:52.019 of what we see 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:52.680 in Corinth 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:54.519 but have not love 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:56.079 was also evident. 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.139 Students started 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:58.960 coming to me 00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.500 and saying, 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.660 what's wrong with me? 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.859 Am I just 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:03.859 a spiritual dud? 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:05.179 Because I'm not 00:27:05.179 --> 00:27:06.379 like feeling it. 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.259 And then later on 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.199 students came to me 00:27:12.199 --> 00:27:12.559 and said, 00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:13.199 I don't want to be 00:27:13.199 --> 00:27:14.119 a part of this anymore. 00:27:14.659 --> 00:27:15.579 All I feel 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.259 is pressure 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:18.539 to go do these things 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.419 or to be 00:27:19.419 --> 00:27:20.639 this kind of excited 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.659 or to be 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:23.339 to, you know, 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.740 give up my studies 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.379 for the week 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.379 so that I can pray 00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:27.879 all day 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.579 and all night. 00:27:32.199 --> 00:27:32.759 I said, 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.279 I don't want to be 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.799 a part of this 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.619 ministry anymore. 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.039 Some of them said, 00:27:37.079 --> 00:27:37.500 I'm not sure 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.919 I want to be 00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:38.379 a part of this 00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:39.079 faith anymore. 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.299 Other students 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.919 came and said, 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.419 should I be 00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:45.279 trying to do that? 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.079 Is that what 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:47.079 it really looks like? 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.339 Do I have to have 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:49.119 these spectacular 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:51.000 experiences with God? 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.579 And so, 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.500 you see the fruit 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:56.859 of it. 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.440 There was 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.099 division. 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:00.899 There was 00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:02.039 spiritual destruction 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.980 in people's lives. 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.940 There was 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.619 pride rampant 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:10.680 in certain circles. 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:13.039 A certainty 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.899 that God 00:28:13.899 --> 00:28:15.019 must be speaking 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:16.299 through individual 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:16.879 people 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:18.980 and how necessary 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.599 it was 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.339 for everyone else 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.180 to get in line 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.659 or not. 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:31.000 what about our 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.360 church? 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.440 We're probably 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.480 not as prone 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.000 to that. 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:35.900 We're all 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.960 sitting there 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.519 on our hands 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.180 as we worship 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.460 and, you know, 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.279 we don't get excited 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.940 very much 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:42.040 as we maybe 00:28:42.040 --> 00:28:42.460 could, 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.880 maybe should. 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:47.540 But friends, 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.300 I want you to see 00:28:48.300 --> 00:28:49.020 that the spiritual 00:28:49.020 --> 00:28:49.540 gifts 00:28:49.540 --> 00:28:50.460 maybe, 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:53.500 maybe our 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.200 palette looks 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.700 a little bit 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.200 different than 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.080 the Corinthian church 00:28:56.080 --> 00:28:56.820 but the danger 00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.840 is still the same. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.920 We've talked 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.600 about it before 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.360 but let me say 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:02.820 it again. 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.020 It seems to me 00:29:04.020 --> 00:29:04.740 that the danger 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.600 in our church 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:06.940 is that 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:08.700 gifts of eloquence 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:10.380 and gifts 00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:11.340 of teaching 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:12.980 are exalted. 00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:15.820 to the detriment 00:29:15.820 --> 00:29:16.920 of other things. 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:20.680 We want to be 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.060 a church 00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:22.140 that pursues 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:23.100 a knowledge 00:29:23.100 --> 00:29:23.820 of God 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.980 but that knowledge 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.440 of God 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.460 does not require 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.400 formal training. 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.900 It does not require 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.980 polysyllabic 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.260 theological definitions. 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:33.420 It does not require 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:35.180 even the ability 00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.040 to speak 00:29:36.040 --> 00:29:36.740 eloquently 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:38.360 about those things. 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.620 Hopefully, 00:29:42.820 --> 00:29:43.460 you have known 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:43.980 some, 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:44.819 I have known 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:46.100 some saints 00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:47.059 with very little 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.740 education 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.779 and yet 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.500 who know 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.259 the Lord 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.759 partly because 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.400 they know 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.259 His words 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.180 so well 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:56.039 and it is, 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:57.140 it has been 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:58.519 ingested 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.740 and digested 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.220 and it now 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.079 shapes their 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.539 thinking 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.579 and their lives. 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.360 Friends, 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.559 let us not 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:08.039 think that 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:09.039 if we teach 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.900 with great eloquence 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:12.060 and with great 00:30:12.060 --> 00:30:12.660 precision 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.000 and with great 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.519 theological knowledge 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.800 and have not 00:30:16.800 --> 00:30:17.340 love 00:30:17.340 --> 00:30:18.200 that God 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:20.300 will be pleased 00:30:20.300 --> 00:30:21.180 with us 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.300 and with our church. 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:26.180 we do not want 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:26.759 to forsake 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.599 those things 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:29.519 but we must 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.759 have love. 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:32.700 We must be thinking 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.639 how is it 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.440 that we love 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.240 one another 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.700 in this? 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.659 Friends, 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.659 some of you 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:44.720 have serving gifts 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:46.259 and maybe you feel 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.200 unappreciated. 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.960 maybe you feel 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:50.840 like you're 00:30:50.840 --> 00:30:51.720 the second class 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.259 citizens 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.700 maybe like you're 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.160 over at that 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:55.019 large institution 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.660 over there 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.819 where the professors 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.940 get all the perks 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.000 and the janitors 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.799 clean up all the 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.440 dirty work 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:02.220 and you wonder 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.539 where's my honor? 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.620 Why doesn't anyone 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:05.660 pay attention to me? 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:09.039 Am I not serving 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.600 as well? 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:12.920 Friends, 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.440 God calls you 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.440 to the same thing. 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.940 Will you do it 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.519 in love? 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.940 Not because you 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.340 are honored 00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:20.000 or respected 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.920 but because 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.240 to love 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:23.440 is to serve others 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.240 with or without 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.920 recognition. 00:31:27.580 --> 00:31:28.700 And may we 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.840 as Nick preached 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:30.660 on last week 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.799 recognize that 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.820 not only do we 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:33.880 need one another 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:35.080 but we are called 00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:36.480 to honor one another 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:38.980 in the diversity 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.740 of our gifts 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.779 and the diversity 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:43.920 of our things. 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:50.920 my fear is that 00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.740 we have really 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.720 talented and gifted 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.600 people who can 00:31:53.600 --> 00:31:54.920 fall into 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:56.660 exercising those 00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.880 gifts without love. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.660 We have hard 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.400 working servants 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.380 who can fall into 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.880 serving without love. 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:03.279 And we have people 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.900 in this church 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.640 who withhold 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.660 their gifts 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:08.600 because they do not 00:32:08.600 --> 00:32:09.480 love the church 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:11.200 enough to engage 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:11.720 with it 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.960 and to get 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.559 involved. 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.559 Whether it's 00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.079 for fear 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.779 of not being 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.319 valued, 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:19.500 whether it's 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.039 for fear 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.799 of failing 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.360 because you're 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:21.759 not sure 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.220 whether you 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.860 can do it 00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:23.779 well enough, 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:26.960 some of you 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.740 are withholding 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.319 your gifts 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:30.019 because you 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.559 don't love 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.140 this church 00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:31.600 enough. 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:38.199 how do we 00:32:38.199 --> 00:32:39.159 respond to this? 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.459 What is it 00:32:41.459 --> 00:32:41.779 that God 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.539 calls us to 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.079 in this? 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:44.980 Well, 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:45.539 I think there 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.219 are two things 00:32:46.219 --> 00:32:46.719 that we need 00:32:46.719 --> 00:32:47.179 to do 00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:48.299 in response 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.500 to this passage. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.519 First, 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:53.399 we need to 00:32:53.399 --> 00:32:54.159 take an inventory 00:32:54.159 --> 00:32:55.079 of our heart. 00:32:56.179 --> 00:32:56.500 I'm going to 00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.099 ask you a bunch 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.779 of questions 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:59.159 and suggest 00:32:59.159 --> 00:32:59.779 a couple of 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.319 things for you 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.059 to look for 00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.940 and I want 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:02.480 you to pray 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.019 that the Holy 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:04.359 Spirit will 00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:05.259 help you see 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.819 if some of 00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:06.299 these things 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:06.899 are true 00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:08.259 in your heart 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:08.940 this morning. 00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:10.659 How do we 00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.259 know when we 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.819 are serving 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.919 without love? 00:33:15.659 --> 00:33:16.179 Well, 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:16.619 think about 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.279 these things. 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:18.940 How do we 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:20.119 treat others 00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:21.059 who may have 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.879 different gifts 00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:23.179 from ours? 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.899 Maybe the way 00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:25.440 they express 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.000 their faith 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.980 feels different 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.919 than ours 00:33:27.919 --> 00:33:29.220 or maybe 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:31.460 we think 00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:32.019 that they're 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:34.900 the way 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.319 that they're 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:35.880 doing their 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.319 gifts 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:37.240 or exercising 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.940 their gifts 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.500 are different 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.259 than ours. 00:33:42.100 --> 00:33:43.140 Do we 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:44.839 criticize them 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.579 for not being 00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.279 like us? 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.339 Do we have 00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:48.100 disdain 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:48.759 and dismiss 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.160 them? 00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:50.500 Do we take 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.279 them for granted? 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:57.559 how about 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:57.799 this? 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.240 How do you 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.440 respond when 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:00.019 a particular 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.819 role of 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.539 service or 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:02.119 of leadership 00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:03.099 has been 00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:03.899 denied to 00:34:03.899 --> 00:34:04.680 you or 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.200 when you've 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:06.079 been replaced? 00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.920 When someone 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:07.399 is coming 00:34:07.399 --> 00:34:08.159 alongside or 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.599 coming up 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:09.320 after you 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:10.699 and you 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.420 suddenly feel 00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:12.639 less valued 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.340 than you 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.039 did once? 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.079 Do you 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.659 respond in 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.159 jealousy 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.980 or anger? 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:20.740 Do you 00:34:20.740 --> 00:34:21.000 want to 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.360 just take 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.860 your ball 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:22.199 and go 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:22.619 home? 00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:23.980 Say to 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.400 heck with 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:24.800 this. 00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:25.659 I'm not 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:25.860 going to 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.539 stay around 00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:26.880 here. 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.119 How do 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.719 you respond 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.039 when 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.740 recognition 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.920 you've been 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.760 serving faithfully 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:35.380 for a while 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:35.880 and then 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.800 you stop 00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:37.079 and you 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.440 think oh 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:37.800 surely 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:38.420 someone will 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:39.260 recognize me 00:34:39.260 --> 00:34:40.000 and praise 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.699 me for it 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:42.099 and when 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:42.599 you don't 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:42.900 how do 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.579 you respond? 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.400 Bitterness? 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:45.960 Resentment? 00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.240 Do you 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:48.639 seek to 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:49.059 get back 00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:49.339 in the 00:34:49.339 --> 00:34:49.599 game 00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.479 and promote 00:34:50.479 --> 00:34:50.939 yourself 00:34:50.939 --> 00:34:51.379 so that 00:34:51.379 --> 00:34:51.839 someone will 00:34:51.839 --> 00:34:52.559 finally see 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:52.819 you? 00:34:54.979 --> 00:34:55.579 How do 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:55.939 you respond 00:34:55.939 --> 00:34:56.239 when you 00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:57.079 see others 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:58.259 praised 00:34:58.259 --> 00:34:58.979 and exalted? 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:02.859 Do you 00:35:02.859 --> 00:35:03.319 stew 00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:04.500 thinking that 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:04.859 should be 00:35:04.859 --> 00:35:05.139 me? 00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:06.779 Why don't 00:35:06.779 --> 00:35:07.099 I get 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:07.379 that? 00:35:10.459 --> 00:35:11.119 How about 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.359 this? 00:35:11.399 --> 00:35:11.699 How do 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:12.299 you respond 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:12.739 when you 00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:13.119 fail? 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:14.899 When 00:35:14.899 --> 00:35:15.399 something you 00:35:15.399 --> 00:35:15.779 thought you 00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:16.439 did well 00:35:16.439 --> 00:35:17.139 is then 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.799 critiqued, 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.700 shown to 00:35:18.700 --> 00:35:18.980 be in 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.280 need of 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:19.900 improvements? 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.660 Do you 00:35:23.660 --> 00:35:24.120 give up? 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:25.140 Withdrawal? 00:35:25.820 --> 00:35:26.360 Stop 00:35:26.360 --> 00:35:26.860 trying? 00:35:27.640 --> 00:35:27.940 Do you 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.320 defend 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:28.780 yourself 00:35:28.780 --> 00:35:29.480 or excuse 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:30.019 yourself? 00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:34.620 Friends, 00:35:34.660 --> 00:35:35.480 these questions, 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:36.380 these heart 00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:36.900 probing 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.519 questions 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.500 are things 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:38.840 that we 00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:39.200 ought to 00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:39.500 ask 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.140 ourselves. 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:41.000 More 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.560 particular 00:35:41.560 --> 00:35:42.320 ways for 00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:42.720 us to 00:35:42.720 --> 00:35:43.160 see 00:35:43.160 --> 00:35:44.280 whether or 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:44.720 not 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:46.060 our service 00:35:46.060 --> 00:35:46.360 is 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:46.820 characterized 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.920 by love. 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:48.640 Our 00:35:48.640 --> 00:35:49.300 contribution 00:35:49.300 --> 00:35:49.760 is 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:50.200 characterized 00:35:50.200 --> 00:35:51.100 by true 00:35:51.100 --> 00:35:51.720 love 00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:52.560 for 00:35:52.560 --> 00:35:53.100 others. 00:35:55.100 --> 00:35:55.740 Paul 00:35:55.740 --> 00:35:56.260 says there 00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:56.540 is a 00:35:56.540 --> 00:35:56.740 more 00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:57.160 excellent 00:35:57.160 --> 00:35:57.640 way, 00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:59.000 a more 00:35:59.000 --> 00:35:59.320 excellent 00:35:59.320 --> 00:35:59.860 way of 00:35:59.860 --> 00:36:00.300 living 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:01.120 in love. 00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.460 Greg's 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:03.660 going to 00:36:03.660 --> 00:36:03.900 give us 00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:04.580 the details 00:36:04.580 --> 00:36:05.080 of what 00:36:05.080 --> 00:36:05.480 that looks 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:05.960 like next 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:06.300 week, 00:36:06.460 --> 00:36:06.720 right? 00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:11.000 But friends, 00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:11.279 if we 00:36:11.279 --> 00:36:11.859 see these 00:36:11.859 --> 00:36:12.319 things, 00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:14.099 may we 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:14.480 repent 00:36:14.480 --> 00:36:15.039 of them 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:16.159 and may 00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:16.719 we ask 00:36:16.719 --> 00:36:17.239 God to 00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:17.659 work in 00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:17.819 our 00:36:17.819 --> 00:36:18.259 hearts 00:36:18.259 --> 00:36:20.739 because, 00:36:20.879 --> 00:36:21.139 you know, 00:36:21.319 --> 00:36:21.839 when we 00:36:21.839 --> 00:36:22.459 actually do 00:36:22.459 --> 00:36:22.879 get to 00:36:22.879 --> 00:36:23.399 serve others 00:36:23.399 --> 00:36:23.859 in love, 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.039 it's amazingly 00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:25.639 joyful. 00:36:25.939 --> 00:36:26.399 It's really 00:36:26.399 --> 00:36:27.079 freeing. 00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:28.279 You stop 00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:28.939 thinking about 00:36:28.939 --> 00:36:29.379 yourself, 00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.119 you have so 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:30.639 much more 00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.579 energy and 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.119 so much 00:36:32.119 --> 00:36:32.879 more time 00:36:32.879 --> 00:36:33.719 to actually 00:36:33.719 --> 00:36:34.299 think about 00:36:34.299 --> 00:36:35.639 others and 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.059 you find 00:36:36.059 --> 00:36:36.920 great joy 00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:37.779 in seeing 00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:38.820 them succeed 00:36:38.820 --> 00:36:39.460 and in 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:40.119 seeing good 00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:40.980 things happen 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:42.579 regardless 00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:43.840 of whether 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:44.880 anyone recognizes 00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.500 your service 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:45.940 or not, 00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:46.820 whether anyone 00:36:46.820 --> 00:36:47.639 recognizes your 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.420 contribution or 00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:48.719 not. 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.659 And it's so 00:36:50.659 --> 00:36:51.259 wonderful 00:36:51.259 --> 00:36:53.320 to be able 00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:53.799 to love 00:36:53.799 --> 00:36:54.559 like that. 00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:58.000 And I pray 00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.579 that you will 00:36:58.579 --> 00:36:59.539 seek that 00:36:59.539 --> 00:37:00.699 and long 00:37:00.699 --> 00:37:01.400 for it. 00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:06.000 and my 00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:06.539 guess is 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:06.880 if you're 00:37:06.880 --> 00:37:07.360 like me, 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:07.820 you will 00:37:07.820 --> 00:37:08.920 try to 00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:09.440 do that 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:09.900 and you 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.380 will fail 00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:12.300 because we 00:37:12.300 --> 00:37:13.099 all have 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:13.639 this in 00:37:13.639 --> 00:37:14.220 our hearts, 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:16.579 this boastful 00:37:16.579 --> 00:37:17.180 pride 00:37:17.180 --> 00:37:20.019 lurking there 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:20.559 somewhere. 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:21.880 It may be 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:23.000 more or less 00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:23.780 controlling in 00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:24.340 our lives, 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:24.860 but it is 00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:25.200 there. 00:37:27.200 --> 00:37:27.940 Let us 00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:28.760 seek to 00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:29.280 know it 00:37:29.280 --> 00:37:30.000 so that we 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:30.519 can repent 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:30.900 of it. 00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:33.019 But secondly 00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:33.579 and most 00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:34.139 importantly, 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:35.800 let us look 00:37:35.800 --> 00:37:36.380 to the one 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:36.780 who can 00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.619 actually help 00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:38.179 us in 00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:38.800 that moment. 00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:40.340 For friends, 00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:41.639 this passage 00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:42.300 is a call 00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:43.079 to serve 00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:44.280 with love. 00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:45.639 And where 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.400 else do we 00:37:46.400 --> 00:37:47.420 go to find 00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:48.179 help to do 00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:49.380 that than 00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:49.920 our loving 00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:50.440 Savior? 00:37:51.500 --> 00:37:52.420 He who had 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.199 all the gifts 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:54.159 and all power 00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:54.800 of divinity, 00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:56.139 he who deserved 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:57.280 all glory and 00:37:57.280 --> 00:37:57.800 honor and 00:37:57.800 --> 00:37:58.500 recognition, 00:37:59.159 --> 00:37:59.940 he who needed 00:37:59.940 --> 00:38:01.000 no justification 00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:03.220 for his life 00:38:03.220 --> 00:38:04.619 because he was 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.300 perfect in 00:38:05.300 --> 00:38:06.260 every way. 00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.539 He who lived 00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:09.260 to do the 00:38:09.260 --> 00:38:10.200 Father's will 00:38:10.200 --> 00:38:12.360 in perfect, 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.240 in perfection, 00:38:14.280 --> 00:38:15.059 this Jesus 00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.740 Christ 00:38:15.740 --> 00:38:18.539 showed us 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:19.320 the way 00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:19.900 of love 00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:21.480 by humbling 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.099 himself, 00:38:22.639 --> 00:38:23.340 by becoming 00:38:23.340 --> 00:38:24.380 obedient to 00:38:24.380 --> 00:38:24.880 God, 00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:26.200 by taking on 00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:27.400 the form 00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:28.500 of humanity 00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.559 itself. 00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:31.320 And not only 00:38:31.320 --> 00:38:32.360 stepping into 00:38:32.360 --> 00:38:33.000 the humanity, 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:33.960 but stepping 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:34.579 into its 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.340 sufferings. 00:38:36.280 --> 00:38:37.260 And ultimately 00:38:37.260 --> 00:38:38.300 taking upon 00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:39.500 himself the 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:41.360 sin of 00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:42.780 this rebellious 00:38:42.780 --> 00:38:44.000 humanity that 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:44.519 he entered 00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:45.200 into to 00:38:45.200 --> 00:38:46.280 identify with. 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:48.019 This Jesus 00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:48.720 came 00:38:48.720 --> 00:38:51.920 with great 00:38:51.920 --> 00:38:52.559 love, 00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.260 forsaking all 00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:54.600 all of his 00:38:54.600 --> 00:38:55.800 benefits for 00:38:55.800 --> 00:38:56.720 our sake, 00:38:57.640 --> 00:38:58.120 ultimately 00:38:58.120 --> 00:38:59.020 taking upon 00:38:59.020 --> 00:38:59.960 himself our 00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:01.320 sin and the 00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:01.980 judgment that 00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:02.740 it deserves 00:39:02.740 --> 00:39:03.360 before a 00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:04.100 holy God. 00:39:07.380 --> 00:39:08.060 God 00:39:08.060 --> 00:39:10.640 judged 00:39:10.640 --> 00:39:11.220 Jesus 00:39:11.220 --> 00:39:12.380 for your 00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:12.900 pride. 00:39:14.680 --> 00:39:15.400 He 00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:16.380 put to 00:39:16.380 --> 00:39:16.740 death 00:39:16.740 --> 00:39:17.260 Jesus 00:39:17.260 --> 00:39:18.580 for your 00:39:18.580 --> 00:39:19.300 boasting 00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:20.400 and for 00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:20.640 your 00:39:20.640 --> 00:39:21.500 loveless 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:22.519 service. 00:39:28.220 --> 00:39:28.740 Friends, 00:39:28.840 --> 00:39:29.120 what a 00:39:29.120 --> 00:39:29.680 Savior we 00:39:29.680 --> 00:39:30.120 have. 00:39:31.039 --> 00:39:31.760 Because he 00:39:31.760 --> 00:39:32.420 did this for 00:39:32.420 --> 00:39:32.960 us so that 00:39:32.960 --> 00:39:33.620 we might be 00:39:33.620 --> 00:39:34.280 set free. 00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:36.280 He shows 00:39:36.280 --> 00:39:37.300 us by 00:39:37.300 --> 00:39:37.960 his example 00:39:37.960 --> 00:39:38.600 how to 00:39:38.600 --> 00:39:39.080 do it, 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.800 but he 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:42.220 also changes 00:39:42.220 --> 00:39:42.840 our hearts 00:39:42.840 --> 00:39:43.320 so that we 00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:43.860 are able 00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:44.680 to do it. 00:39:45.640 --> 00:39:46.400 Because when 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:47.019 we know 00:39:47.019 --> 00:39:48.460 that all 00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:48.780 of the 00:39:48.780 --> 00:39:49.260 gifts that 00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:49.780 we have 00:39:49.780 --> 00:39:50.440 come from 00:39:50.440 --> 00:39:50.800 him, 00:39:51.100 --> 00:39:51.580 that he 00:39:51.580 --> 00:39:52.160 has given 00:39:52.160 --> 00:39:53.320 us life 00:39:53.320 --> 00:39:54.019 and freedom 00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:54.800 from having 00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:56.780 to justify 00:39:56.780 --> 00:39:57.760 ourselves and 00:39:57.760 --> 00:39:58.600 our lives 00:39:58.600 --> 00:39:59.560 by what we 00:39:59.560 --> 00:40:00.000 do, 00:40:00.580 --> 00:40:01.340 trying to 00:40:01.340 --> 00:40:02.140 make God 00:40:02.140 --> 00:40:02.760 as well as 00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:03.500 everyone else 00:40:03.500 --> 00:40:04.420 accept us 00:40:04.420 --> 00:40:05.040 and think 00:40:05.040 --> 00:40:05.600 well of us 00:40:05.600 --> 00:40:06.280 because of 00:40:06.280 --> 00:40:07.040 our performance, 00:40:07.540 --> 00:40:08.040 because of 00:40:08.040 --> 00:40:08.640 our actions, 00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:09.220 because of 00:40:09.220 --> 00:40:09.600 the things 00:40:09.600 --> 00:40:10.260 we do, 00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:11.480 because of 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:12.040 our small 00:40:12.040 --> 00:40:12.740 groups and 00:40:12.740 --> 00:40:14.060 snow cone 00:40:14.060 --> 00:40:14.600 machines. 00:40:18.780 --> 00:40:20.480 he set us 00:40:20.480 --> 00:40:21.460 free from 00:40:21.460 --> 00:40:22.060 thinking that 00:40:22.060 --> 00:40:22.840 any of those 00:40:22.840 --> 00:40:24.340 things are 00:40:24.340 --> 00:40:25.500 needed for 00:40:25.500 --> 00:40:25.920 God to 00:40:25.920 --> 00:40:26.780 accept us 00:40:26.780 --> 00:40:28.200 by purchasing 00:40:28.200 --> 00:40:29.040 our salvation 00:40:29.040 --> 00:40:29.820 at the cross. 00:40:31.120 --> 00:40:31.940 And in doing 00:40:31.940 --> 00:40:32.720 so, he sets 00:40:32.720 --> 00:40:33.240 our hearts 00:40:33.240 --> 00:40:33.620 free. 00:40:34.260 --> 00:40:34.720 And so when 00:40:34.720 --> 00:40:35.340 we go to 00:40:35.340 --> 00:40:36.220 him and 00:40:36.220 --> 00:40:36.780 look to 00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:37.620 him and 00:40:37.620 --> 00:40:38.420 meditate on 00:40:38.420 --> 00:40:39.180 his work on 00:40:39.180 --> 00:40:39.820 the cross for 00:40:39.820 --> 00:40:41.280 us, friends, 00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:41.900 this is the 00:40:41.900 --> 00:40:43.740 way to walk 00:40:43.740 --> 00:40:45.320 in the more 00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:46.180 excellent way 00:40:46.180 --> 00:40:47.300 of love. 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:49.800 Let's pray. 00:41:02.340 --> 00:41:03.160 Lord, search 00:41:03.160 --> 00:41:03.740 our hearts. 00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:06.820 Show us 00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:08.519 the reality 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.480 of the depths 00:41:09.480 --> 00:41:09.840 of our 00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:10.360 motivation, 00:41:10.760 --> 00:41:11.500 why we do 00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:12.160 what we do. 00:41:16.180 --> 00:41:16.960 Lord, we 00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:17.940 know that we 00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:18.580 are incapable 00:41:18.580 --> 00:41:19.539 of this kind 00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:20.160 of selfless 00:41:20.160 --> 00:41:20.800 love apart 00:41:20.800 --> 00:41:21.300 from you. 00:41:22.600 --> 00:41:23.300 Lord, we 00:41:23.300 --> 00:41:24.080 ask that you 00:41:24.080 --> 00:41:24.860 would show us 00:41:24.860 --> 00:41:25.500 your great 00:41:25.500 --> 00:41:26.340 love for us, 00:41:27.100 --> 00:41:27.820 help us to 00:41:27.820 --> 00:41:28.760 understand it. 00:41:30.120 --> 00:41:30.860 Lord, to 00:41:30.860 --> 00:41:31.720 take it in, 00:41:31.960 --> 00:41:32.900 to believe it, 00:41:33.160 --> 00:41:34.280 to trust in it, 00:41:34.940 --> 00:41:36.300 to glory in it, 00:41:36.400 --> 00:41:37.080 and to revel 00:41:37.080 --> 00:41:37.800 in it. 00:41:41.380 --> 00:41:42.460 Lord, because 00:41:42.460 --> 00:41:43.720 it is you 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:44.260 who first 00:41:44.260 --> 00:41:44.920 loved us. 00:41:46.160 --> 00:41:47.300 And by a 00:41:47.300 --> 00:41:47.940 knowledge of 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.660 your love, 00:41:48.760 --> 00:41:49.140 then, we 00:41:49.140 --> 00:41:49.920 are able to 00:41:49.920 --> 00:41:51.780 know the 00:41:51.780 --> 00:41:52.500 way of love 00:41:52.500 --> 00:41:53.200 and to love 00:41:53.200 --> 00:41:53.820 one another 00:41:53.820 --> 00:41:54.440 for your 00:41:54.440 --> 00:41:54.780 sake. 00:41:55.539 --> 00:41:56.140 Help us, 00:41:56.260 --> 00:41:56.539 Lord, we 00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:58.000 pray, in 00:41:58.000 --> 00:41:58.640 Jesus' name. 00:41:59.460 --> 00:41:59.740 Amen.