Sunday Sermon – September 1 – “Helpful Love” – 1 Corinthians 13

Helpful Love
1 Corinthians 13
September 1, 2024
Dr. Kelly B. Burton

This is the famous Love chapter of the Bible. We should characterize what kind of love Paul is talking about. In light of the context of Corinthians he means a helpful love. Notice where Paul chose to write about Love. Sandwiched between two the abuses of spiritual gifts, Paul reminds the church, our Christian life adds up to zero if we leave love out.

Sermon in a Sentence: Our Christian life adds up to zero if we leave love out.

13:1-3 The Necessity of Helpful Love
A warning about big egos.
If people in our sphere of influence are not becoming better people because of us, we have gained no reward in Heaven.

13:4-7 The Characteristics of Helpful Love
We could sub the name Jesus for love in these verses.
Jn. 3:16, 1 Jn. 4:9-10.

13:8-13 The Permanence of Helpful Love
Love has no ending because it comes from God.
What does Paul mean by “when the perfect comes”?