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Show WITHOUT LOVE "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become a 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 love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13: 1'-3) " According to 1 Corinthians 12 and other Pauline passages, The Bible says that God gave all of his children gifts to be used in the church for the church. Those gifts, like 1 good of the the parts of the body, are to do their individual task working together to benefit the whole body. The gifts and their administration are unique and diverse yet the end product is the same. When each member of the body does its part faithfully, the body works more perfectly. But when some members do their part and other members lag behind or half-step or do nothing, not only does that part suffer but the whole body never does reach its fullest potential. And even when the parts do all they can but do it without love, something major is lacking. while In other words, whatever we do, do with love if it is to all. mean we have anything at Notice, our text today acknowledges that tongues are a legitimate gift. But 2 speaking in tongues at its best becomes nothing but sounding brass and tinkling cymbals without love. There may be a whole lot of noise and excitement but there is substance. You may get aroused but you are not going anywhere or no doing anything worthwhile. put on a You may show but when the show is over nothing left to hold on to. Tongue speaking with love is doing it God's way and with the intent to help not there is hurt. Furthermore, God wants us, the church, to have the gift of prophecy and understanding of all mysteries and all knowledge and to have all faith. He wants us to exercise those gifts in the church and for the church. But to foretell something without loving compassion . 3 or to reveal some secrets without the tenderness of love is to do more harm good. We become more confused and argumentative when we hear prophecy without benevolence and favor. When mysteries are opened up and we get to see the light at the end of the than tunnel without any way to get there, we are frustrated and bewildered. When we much but know so to what use fools the we know, do not know how we are educated becoming blundering babblers. Then, this goods own we flesh text reminds have and us that even including our and blood amount to nothing we use without love. The poor need them and can use them, the cause is worthwhile and ought to be done supported but that has to with passion and affection. Love be 4 goods more desirable and tasty. Do your giving because you care. makes the Jesus gave all that He had with love. His disciples knew Him because he broke They could find Him sheep were precious in His bread with love. because His sight. cross He did not because He loved loveable. He give sinners and died and come down from the even the un Himself with love for on the cross to save you \ me. 5 |
