Love
INTRODUCTION

Notes taken from D. M. Panton’s article, “Paul’s Hymn of Love,” on I Cor. 13.
This message was first given at the Youth Gospel Centre, Winter Conference in Baguio, December, 1958.
We are acquainted with human love. We revel in the human love of parents.
We delight in the love of classmates, friends and relatives.
But their love is fickle and falls far short of the standards of love as set forth in I Cor. 13, the love chapter of the Bible.
1 Corinthians
13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2 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 charity, I am nothing.
13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I Cor. 13 :1-13 is an exposition defining the love of Christ.
The richest, highest possible attainments in a church are useless without true Christian love.
Verse 1, The oratory of men is useless in a church or life without true love.
Mr. Beaton’s story of two preachers in Wiseton, Canada. One preacher was an orator, beautiful language, exquisite illustrations, but was cold, without love. The other man was a poor speaker but abounded in love. The people  chose the second man as their pastor.
Therefore love is desirable in:
1. Me as the one giving this message.
2. You as the one that will go out and live the Christ constrained love life.

I. LOVE IS ESSENTIAL-1 Corinthians
13:2 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 charity, I am nothing.
I Cor. 13:2
1. Love is more essential than prophecy. The Bible is full of prophecies but combined they are not as great as love.
Prophecy covers the whole range of eternity from creation to the end of Revelation.
Prophecy is excellent, but it is useless without love.
2. Love is more essential than mysteries. This includes the whole range of the unknown:
Trinity, Incarnation, Election, etc.
A knowledge so great that could understand all these is useless without love.
3. Love is more essential than knowledge. This includes the whole range of possible learning:
schools, universities and college degrees.
These are all wonderful IF they are accompanied by love, the dynamic of life.
4. Love is more essential than faith-the whole range of the inward devotional life of a man.
Faith as a grain of mustard seed would be wonderful, but useless without love.
Without love, man is nothing. He is a nonentity, a nobody, a minus quantity.
Story: A missionary in North West China never learned to speak Chinese very well, but was deeply appreciated because he loved the people. The people knew it and said he smiled and
spoke the language of love. And they loved him, too.

II. LOVE IS GENEROUS – 1 Corinthians
13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
I Cor. 13:3
Giving without love is useless. To give with a harsh spirit is useless.
God manifested His love by giving. The gift of Christ to man was bathed in love.
Christmas gifts may be without love–just as a matter of courtesy.
1. Utmost possible sacrifices of property are useless if the action is not governed and immersed in love. .
2. Utmost possible sacrifices of one’s person (martyrdom) is useless without being impregnated with HIS love, divine love, the love of God.

III. LOVE IS ABLE TO SUFFER-1 Corinthians
13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2 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 charity, I am nothing.
13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I Cor. 13 :4a
This I believe is the most outstanding quality of love.
Lovelorn columns in the daily papers are full of stories of offended lovers. Feelings are hurt and they think that they are no longer in love.
True love says, I love you and will go through fire, sorrow and trouble for you.
True love is able to endure suffering and yet remain sweet and kind.
The Christian pathway is one of suffering, yet the Christian learns to love.
Through suffering his Christian character matures and deepens.
Love that turns to hate overnight was mere human love or perhaps only infatuation.
This is well illustrated in the story in II Sam. 13:15.
True love involved a Calvary. God loved us so much that His great love could find expression in nothing less than the suffering of Calvary.

IV. LOVE IS NOT-1 Corinthians
13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2 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 charity, I am nothing.
13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I Cor. 13 :4b-6a
1. Envious. “love envieth not” True love does not envy success, gifts, talents and possessions of others.
2. Boastful. “vaunteth not itself.” It does not show off, It maintains humility.
3. Conceited. “is not puffed up.” True love always prefers the other one to self.
4. Rude. “doth not behave itself unseemly.” It is never coarse or offensive. True love is courteous at all times. (Lovers, remember this at ALL times.)
5. Selfish. “seeketh not her own.” Love sacrifices and gives generously.
6. Irritable. “is not easily provoked.” True love is not touchy. It absorbs much.
7. Censorious. “thinketh no evil.” It is not critical, reproving, carping, nagging, suspicious or blaming.
8. Sin loving. “rejoiceth not in iniquity.” True love hates and abominates sin.

V. LOVE IS – 1 Corinthians
13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2 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 charity, I am nothing.
13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Cor. 13 :6b-8a
1. Truthful. “rejoiceth in the truth.” Love delights to tell the truth.
Lovers are not afraid to confide their weaknesses to their partners for mutual benefit.
2. Sustaining. “beareth all things.” True love does not collapse under strain, emotional, mental or physical.
3. Trusting. “believeth all things.” True love thinks good motives (not suspicious).
4. Hopeful. “hopeth all things.” True love always expects the best.
5. Enduring. “endureth all things.” It endures through time, deception and even death.
6. Successful. “Love never faileth.” This is true because Romans
8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom. 8 :28 is true.

VI. LOVE IS ETERNAL-I Cor. 13:8b-12
1. Love will outlive prophecy. Prophecies will fail.
2. Love will outlive tongues. Tongues too will cease one day.
3. Love will outlive knowledge. Knowledge will vanish away.
God is LOVE. I John 4:16. Love is an attribute of the Almighty.
Heaven and earth may pass away but love will abide. Love is eternal.
When manhood comes, verses 9-12, we put away childish things for the adult things.
We put away the fleeting things of youth for the mature knowledge of adulthood.

VII. LOVE IS SUPREME-1 Corinthians
13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I Cor. 13 :13
1. Love is greater than faith. Salvation is wrapped up in faith, yet love is far superior. Love was the motive and power undergirding salvation.
2. Love is greater than hope. Romans
8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom. 8:24, “For we are saved by hope.” Heaven is so different from earth for it is controlled by love.
Christ, the One who indwells us desires that daily we should manifest this love.
The world is dying for a little bit of love. Let us share His love with others.

CONCLUSION
A story illustrating the fact of I Cor. 13:13.
A mother loved her wayward son who was charged with a horrible murder.
1. Her faith was shaken when he frankly confessed the gruesome details.
2. Hope remained to the last for a pardon for her son.
3. After the execution her faith and hope were gone, but love remained.
He was still her boy and she loved him just the same.
This is the love of Christ that constrains us to serve Him day by day.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
721. What is the main difference between human and divine love?
722. Of all the gifts or talents that one could choose, which is the highest? Why?
723. List 4 things that love is more essential than.
724. What is the greatest demonstration of love that the world has ever known?
725. What in your opinion is the most outstanding characteristic of love?
Explain.
726. What characteristic distinguishes true and false love?
727. From I Cor. 13:4.6, list the 7 negative aspects of love.
728. From I Cor. 13:6-8, list the 6 positive aspects of love.
729. When a man is converted, what two wonderful things does he then possess?
730. Illustrate how love can be greater than faith or hope.

Praise
INTRODUCTION

Notes taken from Mr. Earl Bittenbender and the New Topical Text Book.
What is the most important thing in life? To earn a living? To get saved and go to heaven? To serve God? I believe the answer is to praise God. The shorter catechism’s first question is, “What Is the chief end of man?”, with this answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”
Isa. 43:7, “Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory.”
Created to praise and glorify the Lord day by day.
Our life should be a song of praise to the glory of God I Cor. 10 :31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”
Is praising God a selfish desire on God’s part? Certainly not. Praise was the purpose for which He created us. We ought to voluntarily give praise daily.

I. THE MEANING OF PRAISE
Dictionary: To bestow approval upon; to honour; to worship; to glorify; commendation.
The Hebrew word “Yadah” means, “To stretch out the hand,” and is translated “praise.” That is, to hold out the hands in reverence, to open the hands and let go of everything, just stand and praise God open-handedly.
Our problem is to let go of things, to let go of our problems and service and give ourselves to praising the Lord.
We only praise something that we honour and prize highly. If we hold the Lord in the highest state of respect and admiration it will be easy to praise Him.

II. PRAISE IS OBLIGATORY
1. Upon angels. Psa. 103:20, “Bless the Lord, ye His angels.” See also Psa.148:2.
2. Upon saints. Psa. 30 :4, “Sing unto the Lord, 0 ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.” Psa. 149:5, “Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.”
3. Upon nations. Psa.117 :1, “0 praise the Lord, all ye nations : praise Him, all ye people.?
4. Upon children. Matt. 21 :16, “… out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise.” See also Psa. 8 :2.
5. Upon high and low. Psa. 148 :11, “‘Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth. ” .
6. Upon young and old Psa. 148 :12, “Both young men and maidens; old men, and children. ”
7. Upon all creation. Psa. 150 :6, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” Psa. 148:1-10, God gets praise from: the heavens, the heights, angels, hosts, sun, moon, stars, the earth, dragons, deeps, fire, hail, snow, vapours, stormy winds, hills, mountains, fruit trees, cedar trees, beasts, cattle, creeping things and birds.

III. THE REASONS WHY WE PRAISE THE LORD
1. Because of God’s majesty. Isa.24:14, “They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty or the Lord”
2. Because of God’s glory. Psa. 138:5, “Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory. of the Lord.”
3. Because of God’s excellency. Psa. 148 :13, “Let them praise the Name of the Lord: for His Name alone is excellent”
4. Because of God’s greatness. Psa. 145:3, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.?
5. Because of the Lord’s holiness. Exodus
15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Ex. 15:11, “Who is like unto Thee, 0 Lord… who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praise, doing wonders?”
6. Because of God’s wisdom. Daniel
2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
Dan. 2 :20, “Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His.” .
7. Because of God’s power. Psa. 21:13, “Be Thou exalted, Lord, in Thine own strength: so will we sing and praise Thy power.?
8. Because of God’s goodness. Psa. 107:8,15,21,31. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness.” This is important for it is repeated four times.
9. Because of God’s mercy. II Chr. 20:21. “Praise the Lord: for His mercy endureth forever.” We are saved through His mercy.
10. Because of God’s loving-kindness and truth. Psa 138:2, ?…and praise Thy Name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth.”
11. Because of God’s faithfulness and truth, Isa. 25 :1, “0 Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy Name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
12. Because He has provided salvation. Luke l:68,69, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people and hath raised up a horn of salvation.”
13. Because of God’s wonderful works. Psa.150:2, “Praise Him for His mighty acts.” See also Psa.107:8,15,21,31. These works include creation, redemption, consolation, just judgment, true counsel, keeping His promises, pardon of sin, spiritual health, constant preservation, protection, answered prayer, the hope of glory, all physical, material and spiritual blessings.

IV. HOW TO PRAISE THE LORD
1. With the understanding. Psa. 47:7, “… sing ye praises with understanding.” 1 Corinthians
14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
I Cor. 14 :15. .
2. With the soul. Psa. 103 :1, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me.”
3. With the whole heart. Psa. 9:1, “I will praise Thee, 0 Lord, with my whole heart. ”
4. With the lips, Psa. 63:3, “… my lips shall praise Thee.” Psa.119:171.
5. With the mouth. Psa. 51:15, “… my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.”
6. With joy. Psa.63:5, “… my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips.”
7. With gladness, II Chr. 29 :30, “And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.” Not mere mechanical praise, but joyful, heartfelt praise.
8. With thankfulness. Psa. 147:7, “Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving,”
9. Continually. Psa. 71:6, “My praise shall be continually of Thee.”
10. To the end of life. Psa. 104 :33, “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live.”
11. More and more. Psa. 71:14, “But I will hope continually and will yet praise Thee more and more.” The longer we live, more and more praiseworthy things come to us.
12. Day by day. II Chr. 30:21, “… and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord.”

V. SOME THINGS FOR WHICH TO PRAISE THE LORD
We should praise the Lord in sickness, in adversity and in health and prosperity.
We should praise the Lord for anything and everything, Philippians
4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phil. 4 :6.
The true Christian is one who can trust arid praise the Lord even through blinding tears. It is enough to know that God plans and doeth all things well. Romans
8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom. 8 :28.

CONCLUSION
Perhaps we realize that we have not praised enough. Pray that God will teach us to praise Him much more in the future, beginning today. Psa. 51:15, “0 Lord, open Thou my lips.”
Cause me to praise Thee more and more.
Praise is the precious privilege of every born again believer in Jesus Christ.
Sing a great deal. This is one good way to praise the Lord.
If people praise us for our accomplishments, let us be sure to pass the praise to HIM.
It is easy to praise one who is truly worthy of praise, and Jesus is worthy, Revelation
5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev. 5:9.
It is easier for God to get money or service than praise from His children.
Praise is an attitude of the heart. I Cor. 10:31, Whatsoever we do–do for His glory.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
731. What is the chief end of man?
732. What is the basic meaning of the Hebrew word, “yadah”?
733. List 7 classes of people upon whom praise is obligatory.
734. To what extent is praise optional?
735. Mention ten things about God that we should praise.
736. What are the two basic works of God for which we should praise Him?
737. Name five parts of the body that should be utilized in praising God.
738. List two handmaidens of praise.
739. Is it true that praise reaches a crescendo at conversion and then tapers off? Explain.
740. Is this statement good or bad, “My child is sick-praise the Lord” ? Explain.