The things that last forever (1 corinthians 13:13)

The things that last forever

 1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Context of 1 Corinthians 13:13 :

Spiritual gifts

⁃ Same lord GOD, holy spirit and one body of christ but different kinds of gifts to individuals to edify one another in Christ, different kinds of ministries / services, different unique & unequal & precious individuals, same purpose, according to God’s will

⁃ Spiritual gift is also a word of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues

⁃ Not all have the same gifts and appointments, although we should desire the best gifts to serve GOD and his people. But there is a more excellent way to serve

Love

⁃ All the characteristics of love

- Love is the greatest of all

Use love and spiritual gifts to edify

⁃ Speaking in tongues is to edify self and not others

⁃ Interpreting tongues is to edify others with understanding

⁃ Prophesying is to edify, exhort and comfort others and the church

⁃ When using the gifts, let aim for edification of the church, done decently and in order

What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1-3

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Why is faith important?

⁃ Faith pleases GOD

⁃ In the gospel, GOD’s righteousness from faith to faith

⁃ The just shall live by faith

Eg. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham

⁃ The faith can move “ mountains “

⁃ Faith will save us

⁃ Faith will make us well

⁃ Faith helps us to complete our “ race “

Where should our faith be placed in?

⁃ Jesus

⁃ God’s word

⁃ The gospel

- God’s promises

Hebrew 12:2

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 1:17

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

2 Corinthians 1:20

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

How to increase our faith?

Luke 17:5-10

And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

⁃ It’s not about the size of faith but about believing in author and finisher of faith, our Lord Jesus Christ and about obeying him, serving him and following him like an unprofitable servant

Is our hope placed in the things perishable or unperishable ?

What is our hope?

Romans 8:24-25

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

⁃ God

⁃ Jesus Christ

⁃ Eternal life

⁃ God’s Salvation

⁃ God’s mercy

⁃ God’s words

⁃ Gospel

⁃ Coming of Jesus Christ

How to hope in the lord?

Psalm 31:24

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

⁃ Wait upon the Lord

⁃ Focus on Jesus

⁃ Believe in the gospel

⁃ Hold fast to God’s word

What is love?

Love is/does…

⁃ patient, kind, rejoice in the truth, bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things

Love is not/does not…

⁃ jealous, boastful, proud, rude, demand its own way, provoked, think evil, rejoice in evil, fail

Love is greater than…

⁃ tongues of men and of angels, gift of prophecy, understanding all mysteries and all knowledge, all offerings and sacrifices, faith and hope

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

How to love rightly?

⁃ Love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all your strength

⁃ Love God and abide in his love by keeping his commandments

⁃ Love our neighbour as ourselves

⁃ Love one another as how christ has loved us

⁃ Love our enemies by blessing, doing good and praying for them

⁃ Let not our love grow cold