"A Hymn of Love"
A sermon preached on The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, February 11, 2007 at Edgemont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), by the Rev. Christopher E. Yopp. Sermon based on I Corinthians 13:1-13.
The renowned theologian, Dr. Karl Barth, was spending an evening with a group of close friends and colleagues. Curious to know more about the great theologian’s thinking and theology, one of those present asked him; "Dr. Barth, what is the most profound thought that has ever entered your mind." After a brief moment of reflection Dr. Barth replied very simply; "The most profound thought I have ever known or had is this simple truth: ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’"
Now, to many, this may not seem to be that much of a profound thought. It may seem to be no more than a simple little chorus suitable for a beginner’s Sunday school class. But the glorious fact remains that there is no profounder thought than; "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
The Apostle Paul takes time out of his letter to the church in Corinth to explain just what is really important in the life and faith of every believer. It’s not who has the most spiritual gifts, but rather who has love. Certainly, it can be difficult and even challenging to embody and express love. Some of us may feel that some people just are not worthy of our love!
Perhaps you’ve heard Chuch Swindoll’s story of the man who fell madly in love with an opera singer. Although he hardly knew her and his only view of her was through binoculars from high in the balcony of the opera hall; still, he was convinced that he could live "happily ever after" if only he were to be married to a voice like that. He barely noticed that she was considerably older then he was and he didn’t care that she walked with a limp. Her beautiful soprano voice made up for all of that and it was all he needed to love her unconditionally. And so, after a brief romance and a quick wedding ceremony, they were off to their honeymoon. She began to prepare for their first night together in the hotel room. As he watched, his chin dropped in utter shock and amazement as she plucked out her glass eye and plopped it into a container on the nightstand. She pulled off her wig, ripped off her false eyelashes, yanked out her dentures, took out her hearing aids, un-strapped her artificial leg, and smiled at him as she slipped off her glasses that hid her severe eye stigmatism. Stunned and horrified, he covered his eyes and yelled, "For goodness sake, women, just sing!" No doubt, there are things about certain people that we may not like and for that we withhold our love from them.
The renown psychologist, Fromm, once posed the question "Why?" when it comes to love: "Why must we love?" Fromm believed he found the reason in the appalling experience of isolation, of complete separation, that humanity has known since being driven out of Paradise. Fromm went on to claim that is the reason for people’s need to conform. He says, "we cannot solve this problem of separation, no matter how hard we try, by means of work, success, or conformity; all of these offer only temporary satisfaction. The true answer lies solely in love - love completes us, love motivates us, love fulfills us, love satisfies us." And how true that is!
In the 13th chapter of the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth he offers what has been called "A Litany or Hymn of Love." Paul reminds us that gifts without love are useless. People talk of love, but they do not always live it. It’s like the story I told you a while back of the husband who was always telling his wife how much he loved her, but very seldom did he show it. He talked it, but never expressed it. And certainly that is true of many Christians. Until the love of Christ is imbedded deep in our hearts, that love will never bring transformation to our lives nor will it ever be manifested in our living. Until we have completely felt and experienced the love of God we will never be able to live that love! Until God’s love has filled our lives to the brim, there will always be hatred, malice, gossip and deceit within us. As Paul reminds us, a life that is full of God’s love cannot do anything else but love! That love spills over and out of our lives!
This chapter is divided into three sections: first, Paul talks about the futility of gifts without love. In fact, in verses 1 through 3 we see that Paul reminds us, that all the spiritual gifts in the world mean nothing if the motivation behind them isn’t love! If the root of our gifts, of our actions, of our words is not love then we might as well be a "noisy gong or a clanging cymbal," Paul tells us. In fact, Paul writes, "If I have all faith... but do not have love, I am nothing" (I Corinthians 13:2).
In the second section of this chapter Paul talks about the nature of love. In verses 4 through 7, Paul speaks of the important traits of love. Paul tells us that "love is patient" or, better yet, puts up with people that it is easy to give up on. Love is "kind," meaning, it treats people well although they may have treated us poorly. This is certainly the love Christ embodied. Love does not "envy" nor it is "boastful" or "proud." Keep in mind, the people of Corinth were notorious for being boastful, and proud and even arrogant and certainly these are challenges we face today. Love "is not rude," "it isn’t selfish," or "easily angered," love doesn’t hold grudges." Rather, Paul reminds us, that love "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." Someone once said; "Love makes the invisible God, visible in our midst," someone else wrote; "Wherever love is – God is present!" and how true that is!
And in the third section, Paul mentions the fact that love is eternal. Paul reminds us that love never fails – it’s permanent! Paul tells us that one day all the gifts will no longer be needed, but "love will continue forever." Why, because God is eternal, and God is love, and when we have the Spirit of God in us, we embody this love - we possess this love, we become this love (incarnate) – in the flesh! Is this true of your life?
The Apostle John reminds us in the 4th chapter of his first epistle; "We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us his Spirit. And we have seen and testified that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he is in God" (1 John 4:13-16). You know, love inspires us. A great philosopher once wrote; "Inspiration is simply being touched by the Spirit of God and loving is offering that touch to others." Have you been touched by the Spirit of God; but, more importantly, are you touching others?
In just a couple of days we celebrate Valentine’s Day, and this is a great opportunity for us to think of love – God’s love for us and our love for God and one another. It is a great opportunity for us to consider the ways in which we live out and share that love with one another. And, undoubtedly, we will hear throughout the course of this week those infamous words; "Will you be my Valentine?" Those words warm our hearts and stir our emotions – they remind us that we are loved! But certainly, we can rejoice because we are God’s Valentines. God loves each of us unconditionally! May we experience that love anew and afresh and thus, live that love and share it with one another.
The Duke of Windsor, recalling his childhood discipline by George V, then King of England, said that his father used to daily remind him, "Son, never forget who you are." This is a great opportunity for us, as Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth, "never forget [whose] you are." You are God’s Valentine! Won’t you experience that love anew and afresh; and in experiencing that love, be transformed by it; and in being transformed by it, share it with others?
Now, to many, this may not seem to be that much of a profound thought. It may seem to be no more than a simple little chorus suitable for a beginner’s Sunday school class. But the glorious fact remains that there is no profounder thought than; "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
The Apostle Paul takes time out of his letter to the church in Corinth to explain just what is really important in the life and faith of every believer. It’s not who has the most spiritual gifts, but rather who has love. Certainly, it can be difficult and even challenging to embody and express love. Some of us may feel that some people just are not worthy of our love!
Perhaps you’ve heard Chuch Swindoll’s story of the man who fell madly in love with an opera singer. Although he hardly knew her and his only view of her was through binoculars from high in the balcony of the opera hall; still, he was convinced that he could live "happily ever after" if only he were to be married to a voice like that. He barely noticed that she was considerably older then he was and he didn’t care that she walked with a limp. Her beautiful soprano voice made up for all of that and it was all he needed to love her unconditionally. And so, after a brief romance and a quick wedding ceremony, they were off to their honeymoon. She began to prepare for their first night together in the hotel room. As he watched, his chin dropped in utter shock and amazement as she plucked out her glass eye and plopped it into a container on the nightstand. She pulled off her wig, ripped off her false eyelashes, yanked out her dentures, took out her hearing aids, un-strapped her artificial leg, and smiled at him as she slipped off her glasses that hid her severe eye stigmatism. Stunned and horrified, he covered his eyes and yelled, "For goodness sake, women, just sing!" No doubt, there are things about certain people that we may not like and for that we withhold our love from them.
The renown psychologist, Fromm, once posed the question "Why?" when it comes to love: "Why must we love?" Fromm believed he found the reason in the appalling experience of isolation, of complete separation, that humanity has known since being driven out of Paradise. Fromm went on to claim that is the reason for people’s need to conform. He says, "we cannot solve this problem of separation, no matter how hard we try, by means of work, success, or conformity; all of these offer only temporary satisfaction. The true answer lies solely in love - love completes us, love motivates us, love fulfills us, love satisfies us." And how true that is!
In the 13th chapter of the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth he offers what has been called "A Litany or Hymn of Love." Paul reminds us that gifts without love are useless. People talk of love, but they do not always live it. It’s like the story I told you a while back of the husband who was always telling his wife how much he loved her, but very seldom did he show it. He talked it, but never expressed it. And certainly that is true of many Christians. Until the love of Christ is imbedded deep in our hearts, that love will never bring transformation to our lives nor will it ever be manifested in our living. Until we have completely felt and experienced the love of God we will never be able to live that love! Until God’s love has filled our lives to the brim, there will always be hatred, malice, gossip and deceit within us. As Paul reminds us, a life that is full of God’s love cannot do anything else but love! That love spills over and out of our lives!
This chapter is divided into three sections: first, Paul talks about the futility of gifts without love. In fact, in verses 1 through 3 we see that Paul reminds us, that all the spiritual gifts in the world mean nothing if the motivation behind them isn’t love! If the root of our gifts, of our actions, of our words is not love then we might as well be a "noisy gong or a clanging cymbal," Paul tells us. In fact, Paul writes, "If I have all faith... but do not have love, I am nothing" (I Corinthians 13:2).
In the second section of this chapter Paul talks about the nature of love. In verses 4 through 7, Paul speaks of the important traits of love. Paul tells us that "love is patient" or, better yet, puts up with people that it is easy to give up on. Love is "kind," meaning, it treats people well although they may have treated us poorly. This is certainly the love Christ embodied. Love does not "envy" nor it is "boastful" or "proud." Keep in mind, the people of Corinth were notorious for being boastful, and proud and even arrogant and certainly these are challenges we face today. Love "is not rude," "it isn’t selfish," or "easily angered," love doesn’t hold grudges." Rather, Paul reminds us, that love "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." Someone once said; "Love makes the invisible God, visible in our midst," someone else wrote; "Wherever love is – God is present!" and how true that is!
And in the third section, Paul mentions the fact that love is eternal. Paul reminds us that love never fails – it’s permanent! Paul tells us that one day all the gifts will no longer be needed, but "love will continue forever." Why, because God is eternal, and God is love, and when we have the Spirit of God in us, we embody this love - we possess this love, we become this love (incarnate) – in the flesh! Is this true of your life?
The Apostle John reminds us in the 4th chapter of his first epistle; "We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us his Spirit. And we have seen and testified that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he is in God" (1 John 4:13-16). You know, love inspires us. A great philosopher once wrote; "Inspiration is simply being touched by the Spirit of God and loving is offering that touch to others." Have you been touched by the Spirit of God; but, more importantly, are you touching others?
In just a couple of days we celebrate Valentine’s Day, and this is a great opportunity for us to think of love – God’s love for us and our love for God and one another. It is a great opportunity for us to consider the ways in which we live out and share that love with one another. And, undoubtedly, we will hear throughout the course of this week those infamous words; "Will you be my Valentine?" Those words warm our hearts and stir our emotions – they remind us that we are loved! But certainly, we can rejoice because we are God’s Valentines. God loves each of us unconditionally! May we experience that love anew and afresh and thus, live that love and share it with one another.
The Duke of Windsor, recalling his childhood discipline by George V, then King of England, said that his father used to daily remind him, "Son, never forget who you are." This is a great opportunity for us, as Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth, "never forget [whose] you are." You are God’s Valentine! Won’t you experience that love anew and afresh; and in experiencing that love, be transformed by it; and in being transformed by it, share it with others?
posted by Pastor Christopher @ 2:00 PM
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