i corinthians the church, then and now welcome session 21 excellence chapter 13: 1-13

I Corinthians The Church, Then and Now

Welcome

Session 21Excellence

Chapter 13: 1-13

I Corinthians The Church, Then and Now

Excellence

1 Review Basics

2 Application to Corinthians

3 Christian Excellence Today

Excellence

I

and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become

as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.And though I have the gift of prophecy, and

understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove

mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

I Cor.12:31b-13:2 KJV

Excellence

I

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,

and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind;

Charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,

thinketh no evil;

I Cor.13:3-5 KJV

Excellence

I

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things,

hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:

but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease;

whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

I Cor.13:6-9 KJV

Excellence

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But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:

but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

I Cor.13:10-11 KJV

Excellence

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For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part;

but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;

but the greatest of these is charity.

I Cor.13:12-13 KJV

I Corinthians 13:1-13 The Church, Then and Now

Basics

• God’s love is the foundation for all Christian life values.

• Christian love is the unique identifier of God’s people.

• Storge, Philia, Eros and Agape

• Love enriches, edifies and endures.

Corinthians’ Issue 1

1:10-12

Problem: Division along teacher lines

Cause: Saw Gospel as philosophy

Cure: Love message first, messenger second


3:1-3

Problem: Immaturity

Cause: Self-conceit

Cure: Understanding God’s unfailing love will cause humility


5:1-2

Problem: Sin not disciplined

Cause: Corporate pride of freedom

Cure: Apply Godly love to restore fallen brother


6:1-2

Problem: Christians suing one another

Cause: Greed or selfishness

Cure:

If A = B, and A = C, then B = C

God (in me) is the Holy Ghost. A = BGod is Love. A = CTherefore:

The Holy Ghost is Love. B = C

If C = 0, then B = 0No Love = No Holy Ghost


6:1-2

Problem: Christians suing one another

Cause: Greed or selfishness

Cure: Be filled with the Holy Ghost


6:9

Problem: Immorality

Cause: Controlled by lusts of the flesh

Cure: Honour God with body, soul, and spirit


7:1-40

Problem: Marriage issues

Cause: Poor understanding of Godly principles, scriptural teaching

Cure: Marrieds, stay married.Singles, marry in the

LORD.


8:1-13

Problem: Christian liberty misused

Cause: Behaviour based on knowledge alone

Cure: Balance knowledge with love


11:4-5

Problem: Role of women in public worship confused

Cause: Women not conforming to God’s

planned role for them

Cure: Women obey God’s order by following cultural norms


11:21

Problem: Discrimination by wealthy

Cause: Secular society influence

Cure: Focus on demonstrating love


11:29-30

Problem: God’s judgment: sickness

and/ or death

Cause: Partaking of LORD’s supper unworthily

Cure: Each Christian examine himself and repent of sin


12:12-27

Problem: Diversity and unity unbalanced

Cause: Personal pride for individual role or ministry

Cure: Members have same care for one another (as for themselves)


13:1-3

Problem: Uselessness of spiritual gifts and charitable acts

Cause: Actions without love

Cure: Love never fails


14:1-5, 22-25

Problem: Personal edification (tongues) over edification of others (prophecy)

Cause: Selfishness

Cure: Excel in edification


15:12-34

Problem: Denial of resurrection of dead

Cause: Secularism

Cure: Salvation experience, Old Testament scriptures, eye witnesses of resurrected Christ,

glorified body

Christian Excellence TodayLo

ving

T

he f

ruit

of t

he S

pirit

is L

ove

Living Holiness / Godliness / Separation

2

3

4

5

6

78

9

10

11

1213

Chapter 13

LOW HIGH

High

Living in

Love

i corinthians the church, then and now welcome session 21 excellence chapter 13: 1-13

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