Love Like Jesus W/ Pastor Brad

Welcome to the start of our summer messages as we dive into 1 Corinthians 13. We live in a highly distracted, success-driven world, but Paul’s words remind us that all the achievements and knowledge in the world amount to nothing without His love. In this message, we unpack the ancient context of Corinth, challenge the trap of finding our identity in performance, and discover a love that is more permanent than anything. Open your heart to His foundational truth and learn what it truly looks like to Love Like Jesus.

Transcript

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Take a moment and think about a burden that you may be carrying. A uh a blinking light on the dashboard of your light. A life. Maybe it's a couple lights that are blinking. But recall to mind a burden that you may be bringing in today. It may be a burden that someone knows. Maybe it's something that nobody knows. Maybe it's a person, a headline, a conflict, a suffering that you may be facing. Maybe what's on your mind is directly related to the person that's right beside you who you care about. Check it out. There was a Scottish pastor by the name of William Barclay in the early 1900s who said, if I had to choose one chapter of the whole Bible from which to impress the world with the spirit of Christianity, I would choose 1 Corinthians 13, he said. Or others have said this, that 1 Corinthians 13 is the Mount Everest of all writing itself. Pretty beautiful, right? George Morgan, another evangelist from the early 1800s, way back in the day, said 1 Corinthians is not simply the definition of love, but a revelation to the very life of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Welcome this morning to today's message called Love Like Jesus Living Out 1 Corinthians 13. To set things up today, some of you might know this, that this floor back in the day, it used to be recessed. And this was a chapel back in the day when this was a high school, and they had many rows and pews that filled up this place for the high schoolers, and they would take roll call in the back balcony. None of the kids were allowed to skip. And yeah, it was recessed and it went down quite a ways. Back in the 70s, when DHS on this space, the Department of Human Services, they filled it up with concrete to level it out. And I learned that around this area, six to eight feet of concrete goes all the way down so that everything is level here. It's a big foundation here in our chapel that we're sitting on. 1 Corinthians 13 is a foundational scripture of what it looks like to follow Jesus today. 1 Corinthians 13 is often spoken at weddings or in hospitals. Or in funerals, prison cells, revival meetings, and moments of conflict that need the reconciling love of Jesus. We are living in times, right, with addiction to power, success, knowledge, and achievement. But if you think about it, that's always been the case. Even when this was first written, that's why the Bible declares that without love, so much amounts to nothing. Let's let the love of Jesus shape us today. And as we read this life-transforming scripture, maybe there is one phrase, uh, one word picture that sticks out that you are being invited to live into today, this week. So in honor of God's holy, living, and active word, let's stand together if we are able. And let's read together 1 Corinthians 13 this Mount Everest scripture of writing itself. Here we go. Let's read it together. Three, two, one. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love. Yep. And can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge. But do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. But rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love 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. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when comes what is in part disappears. When 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 the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a 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. And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. This is the Holy Word of God. Thanks be to God. You may be seated and let the church say the greatest of these is love. Yes, the greatest of these is love, which is so important and relevant today. Let's let that sink in, especially over any burden that we may be carrying today. Because when we do carry burdens or anxiety or stress that comes by way of adulting, our bodies, right, they they carry them. They can physiologically respond to it. It can be difficult and painful when flooded with anxiety. Here's what I'm praying for. I'm praying for the complete opposite today. I'm praying that you would be flooded today with the love of God over your heart, over your soul, over whatever may be in your hands today. And that as a result, your body will rest in Him, that the love of God will make such a difference in your life that puts all of it into biblical perspective. The love of God is a huge theme within Scripture. One of the most memorable scriptures in all of Christianity is John 3.16. You see this in many different places, right? What does John 3.16 say? For God so loved the world. God so loved you that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting eternal life in him. This love transforms the world. God's love. Jesus would often quote this scripture from Deuteronomy, from the Torah, Deuteronomy 6, verse 5, where he would say, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself, right? He would say often that all of the law, all of the prophets would be summed up in this love of God and of one another. Today we're reading from 1 Corinthians 13. 1 Corinthians 13, it's like really at the end of a long letter, a long book that he's written for a church by the name of Corinth. Paul has been taking his time with this small group of people, asking this question: what sets us free? What sets us free from sin? And it's to know and to believe the way of God, his way, truth, and love, though God's love, the way, truth, and life. And he shares this word with a young church, a young church that is really at the crossroads, at the heart of a city. A young church in the heart of the city. Sound familiar? Well, here's a bit of context. Let's begin with a map that shows a little bit of uh Corinth that's in the middle of quite a bit, an intersection. Um, Corinth was a city in a four-mile-wide piece of land between two bodies of water. You could come to it from the east, you could come to it from the west. And then there were these provinces to the north and to the south. So at the middle of it, this intersection, this crossroads of Corinth, it was a place that was commercial. It made a lot of money. It was the place to be. It was at the intersection of both land and water. And for any kind of trade, it went through Corinth. This place was urban, diverse, multi-ethnic. More than 100,000 people lived here. And check this out, one historian said it this way Corinth was one of the most densely populated, success-driven, and sex-obsessed cities of the time. In fact, there was a word for it. There was a word that was coined. It was called to Corinthianize. And to Corinthianize was to live a life without a moral compass. Enter Paul with some good news of Jesus to pour into a small group in the heart of this city with some light, the light of the gospel. And Paul is so amazed with what the power of Jesus does right here in the heart of this city. It takes off. The church isn't just filled with gifts of the Holy Spirit. There's gifts of healing, gifts of faith. Some are speaking in tongues, others are interpreting those tongues. Others, God gave vision, and there's wisdom and encouragement and leadership and mercy that just continues to grow. There was never a city like Corinth, and never a church like it. There's never been a city like Grand Rapids, and never a church like Madison. God has given birth to it. This multi-ethnic, multi-site church with a unique calling, and watch how the love of God shapes this church in Corinth and this invitation for how it ought to shape us today. Verse 1 says this. Paul says, If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, it's a lot of languages, other scriptures would say. If I speak in the languages of the earth or of angels, but do not have love, I'm only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol. If we were to remove the drum cage that is here and then pull out the ride symbol and put the ride symbol right in the middle of the sanctuary at the front here, ride symbol is the largest symbol of a drum kit. Okay? If you hit the very middle of it, it's the sound of a bell. If you hit the side of it, it provides rhythm. But if you start wailing on the ride symbol as loud as you can, you get this absolutely massive gong that makes you want to just plug your ears, right? So Paul's saying about a life without the love of God. He invites us to be a people who are surrendered to his love. Because then our lives begin to be in sync with his. Maybe you know a lot about sports or art. Maybe you know a lot about culture. Maybe you can name any trend and all the tech buzz right now. Maybe you can quote songs and you've got movie quotes for days. Maybe you've read a lot of books, maybe you can quote the classics and you know all the current novels too. Maybe you know the latest, the latest fads, the latest shows, the latest social media. Maybe you know the latest news on this or that, the latest apps, the latest AI apps that are being released one after the next. Maybe you know a lot about something. Here's a news flash. God is not building a hall of fame for the best informed folks. He never intended knowledge to be the finish line. No, God's love is. Stay with me. 1 Corinthians 13 says, even if you know the mysteries and God's secrets, lots of knowledge and lots of faith, without love, his love, it amounts to nothing. This is very substantial what Paul is communicating to this young church. That's why I love Ecclesiastes 12 that says, Of making many books, there is no end, and much study wearies the body. And all the students of the house said, Amen. Now all has been heard. Here is the conclusion of the matter. Ecclesiastes says, Fear God, keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all. Right? So, church family, the devil, he is a liar. He comes to rob, steal, kill, and destroy. But he will be fine if we are just simply a distracted people. Don't miss it. Life and breath is about Jesus and his love. Without him, we are lost. It continues, verse three. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship, that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. And I think this last verse is for folks who do a lot of helping of others. And here's what I mean by that. Maybe you've got a serving gift, a discernment gift, a teaching gift, a leadership gift, and you're good at it. Praise God. And yet, there's a bit of a warning here, right? That Paul is saying, I think if he were here today, beyond stage, I think he'd say something like, Do not find your identity outside of the love of Jesus. Nothing should replace the love of Jesus in the work and the gifts that the Holy Spirit has empowered you in. Here's the reality: great faith, great acts of dedication, great sacrifice and miracle-working power produces very little without the love of Jesus. This is a common, repeating theme that we need. The love of Jesus gives purpose to our lives, it gives purpose to our actions and our gifts. I heard this quote before from one of my mentors. Keep the important thing, the important thing. So consider your situation today and highlight God's love. All over it. Let's let the love of Jesus fill this place and fill our hearts today. This is a scripture church family that has stood the test of time. Love is patient. Where is God calling us to be patient today? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy. Where is there jealousy? It does not boast. Love is not proud. Love does not dishonor others. Where is God convicting us of judgmentalism? Love is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Where are any of us keeping lists of wrongs? The love of God has something to say about that. Church, we can do a whole sermon series on every single description here. And where is one that is speaking to you right now? So love keeps zero record of wrongs. Love of God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Hallelujah. That's a praise chorus. It always protects. Love always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. The love of God never fails. God's love never fails. In other words, His love never withers, it never decays. By its very nature, God's love is permanent. It never dies. Love, God's love is eternal, never comes to an end compared to other things. Nations and governments rise and fall. God's love doesn't. Trophies, medals, crowns are temporary. God's love is eternal. Trends, shows, social media, news, apps, and tech all run their course in time. God's love never fails. The love of friends, family can fail. Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about. God's love is ceaseless, right? And maybe you've seen love quit when you were told from someone else that they could be counted on. The love of your Savior is forever. Church, I woke up this morning with a purpose, and that is to remind you that God's love is more present. It is more sure than the air that you breathe. When the Bible tells us that God's love never fails, it is reality. It is permanent, deeper than the many feet of concrete that has filled this place of this chapel. And it's more present than beautiful summer warmth that we now have. Amen. And all of scripture points to a very particular place for how this is applied to us, to you and me for the world right now. Here is Romans 5, verse 8. Another scripture of God's love for us today. But God demonstrates his own love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. This is so amazing. This is so beautiful, these words. It is the love of the gospel that God put his love on the line for us by giving his life for us. He died on the cross to set us free from sin because he loves us. A broken people, a sinful people, a people who so easily drift from his love. And here we see his demonstration of love, the motivation of his sacrifice, his love that is ceaseless, it never fails, his love is forever constant. Turn to your neighbor and say, God's love is constant. Yes. God's love is constant. Here's a story to kind of bring this home today. So a friend of mine is a firefighter. He's been a firefighter, firefighter for about 20 years on Maui in Hawaii. And he and three friends have been convicted to raise money for a nonprofit. A nonprofit that fights human trafficking. It's called human recovery. And my buddy, he and his three friends are doing something quite unique. They are attempting a world record. And they're rowing from Seattle down the coast. They've made their way through Northern California and then due west all the way to Hawaii. They've been at this for six weeks, and they've just passed uh the middle portion of this row without sail, without assistance. And um looks like this four guys. Two rowing on three-hour shifts. So two are rowing and then the other two are resting in very small quarters, these very small cabins to uh the front and to the back. Now, this is a picture of the wide open Pacific Ocean that uh looks very tame and very calm. Uh here's one of the constants that they are facing in this uh world record attempt of rowing. That the constant of the ocean is that every day it's different, every day it's unrelenting. Sometimes it's the rain, sometimes it's the wind, sometimes it's the currents that are underneath. But one of the big constants that they're facing is that of sleep deprivation. But they're on the home stretch. About two or three weeks they should be making it home. About a week ago, they were in a a six-day storm where they could not row at all. The waves and the rain was just too intense. So they dropped an anchor. And in the ocean, they're called sea anchors or sea constants. Okay. And it goes down, it's a rope, maybe uh 50 to 100 feet deep, and then at the bottom is a parachute that just keeps the boat constant in its position without drifting all over the place. And when I heard about that constant anchor that kept them grounded in anticipation for today, I wanted to make that point known for you. That in the very unrelenting storms of life that we face, church, family, there is one constant that keeps us rooted and grounded, and it is God's love. His love is constant, ceaseless. It never fails. And we so need his love to shower us, to keep us anchored in him, a constant anchor in him. And the way that we practice this, the way that we remember together how he keeps us grounded and rooted in his love, is that we remember God's sacrament, God's grace for us. I'm gonna invite the worship team to come on forward. They're gonna lead us through a convicting song that reminds us of God's constant anchoring love by the blood that has been shed for us and God's body that has been given for us through Jesus. That when Jesus was in the upper room with his disciples, singing hymns and singing songs, he drew on what was available and what was around them. He drew on the food. And he took the bread and he broke it. And he said, This is my body that has been given for you. And then he took the wine that was there and he poured it. And he said, This is my blood that has been shed for you. For every time you eat of my body and drink of my blood, he said, You proclaim the resurrection until I come again. Because God's love is constant, and it is what we need as the foundation for our lives. And he invites us to be a people who surrender, who follow the Savior Jesus. If you call upon Jesus as Lord and Savior and Messiah, this table is for you. And if you're not quite there yet, we would love to meet with you, connect with you, and help you say yes to that invitation to follow Jesus and to be discipled here together in community as one. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. We all need his grace just as much as everybody else. And that invitation never ends. It's here, it's present right now. Say yes to him.