1 Corinthians 13

Hey everyone. I got kind of bored tonight and I felt like putting something on this blog. These are the notes that I wrote for myself when I taught at the Men's Bible study a few months ago. This was the first time that I ever taught the word and I hope you all enjoy my take on 1 Cor. 13.
I. Introduction: A. My First time teaching. Christ gave me gifts and teaching is one of them. (1 Cor. 12:7-10)
B. We all have these gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:11)- It depends on the of the Body of Christ at a certain point in time. When I was asked to teach I knew that I could do it because it isn't me who is doing it, but the Holy Spirit that is within me. But what is my motive? Is it to glorify myself or God? Is it out of love or to feel prideful that I have this knowledge? *Key point: Love should trump all of our motives no matter what!
II. Review of 1 Cor.: Why is this chapter 13 in this letter to the Corinthians? Why did Paul write this? A. To correct the the Corinthians of setting gifts before loving on another. (1 Cor. 14:1) B. Divisions were also another big problem in this church (1 Cor. 1:12) Another thing to take in consideration is the fact that the Corinthians were seeking knowledge and wisdom, which isn't wrong, and they were not really loving one another as they ought to. (1 Cor. 8:1-3) C. There were also problems with how to use the gifts of the Spirit and the gift of the tongues was the most debated gift at the time.
III. 1 Cor. 13:1-3 A. Verse one: Right away Paul is bring up the tongues. 1st Tongues, 2nd Gift of Prophecy, 3rd Faith, 4th Taking care of the poor and needy, and 5th Giving up the body for Christ or martyrdom. I cam e up with a simple equation and it goes like this (No Love= Nothing). I am not downing Gifts of the Spirit or attacking what God has given us but if we use this gifts with out love then it could be less effective or have no effect at all.Remember James 1:17... "Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights". It is important to note that love needs to be behind every single action or thought that we have when it comes to serving the Lord. B. Some of those actions that need to considered: 1. Praying- Ask yourself these questions: Why do I pray to God? Why do we pray for others? The should be out of love and have love behind all of it. We pray to God to get closer to Him and to love Him. We pray for others to edify the body of Christ out of love not to feel like we are more spiritual than someone else. 2. Studying / Hearing the Word of God. We should read or listen to the word of God (Bible and Sermons) not merely to accumulate knowledge but to receive God's love and mercy. (Example: When we hear or read something that seems sharp or hard to swallow we have to realize that it is God's love. Like a father to a son. (Hebrews 12:5-8) He will chasten us because He loves us. We need to come to this love because it is true love.
IV. 1 Cor. 13:4-8 A. What love should be or what we should strive to be like. Matthew Henry's Commentary says this about this section of the Bible: "True love to God and man is, a benevolent dispostion of mind towards out fellow Christians, growing out of sincere and fervent devotion to God"
* It is important to note that God sets value on love towards Him and not just merely knowledge.
B. Before we get into this section let us look at John 13 and John 15. (John 13:34-35, 15:12-13, 17) This is what God commands of us to one another. To love one another as we love ourselves and to love God with everything that we have! This is an example of true love: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. This is the greatest love because Jesus Christ did this for us on the cross. He laid his life down for us. C. What love should be (1 Cor. 13:4-8) 1. Suffer long 2. It is kind 3. Doesn't envy 4. Doesn't parade itself( think of a parade and what a parade is all about... to be be prideful about something or some event) 5. Isn't puffed up ( this means not full of pride) 6. Hates sin 7. Loves truth 8. Bears all things 9. Believes all things ( of God) 10. Hopes all things (about God) 11. Endures all things. It is important to note that Love never fails! D. Verse 8: Love will always remain no matter what. If all gifts vanish and you have the love of God you have it all! If you have all the Gifts of the Spirit and not one ounce of God's love you profit or have nothing.
V.1 Cor. 9-13 A. We should realize that all of these gifts will one day come to an end. There will be no need for the gifts or prophecies, tongues, or even knowledge to build up the body of Christ. * Love will remain in heaven not the gifts. B. Verse 9 " That which is perfect has come" this is the kingdom or Heaven. "When i was a child": this is the state that we are in right now and we are children on Earth and "when I became a man..." could be when we go home to be with God. * Gifts of the Spirit could be considered as child-like matters and are needed on the while we are here on this earth until we are made perfect in heaven. But once again love has to be the main motive behind the gifts. C. Verse 12- This could once again be a metaphor for Earth and Heaven... that is all I am going to say about that!!! " See in the mirror dimly" could be when we are on the Earth and face to face could be when we are in Heaven. "I know in part" I know a little bit what I am like- on Earth "but then I shall know just as I also am know" more Clear in Heaven. - Also could be over time we start to see ourselves better as we grow in Christ and for what we are
VI. Conclusion: A. Verse 13: Love is the Greatest of all!!! Praise the Lord!!
Well everyone that was about it and I hope that you all enjoyed it. And if it doesn't sound right or something feel free to leave comments or questions that you would have for me.