We Serve Out of Love/Love's Actions (2)
Our Blueprint for a New Testament Church • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
We started last week by examining a comprehensive list characterizing Biblical love. Again, Biblical Love is a purposeful commitment to sacrificial action for others. In our text, the Holy Spirit is answering this question. What does Biblical love (agape love) look like practically? The Holy Spirit provides us the answer.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
In these verses, there are...
13 Characteristics of Biblical Love.
You can divide this list into two categories. The two categories are what is Biblical Love and what it is not.
DISCLAIMER: Working through this list will likely take a few Sundays. Whatever time it takes to go through this list will be worth the time. It is an essential list, and I do not want to hurry through it.
Please remember that God instructed us to love others as we go through this list. That can be difficult sometimes, but we still must do our best.
Last week, we covered two characteristics NOT found in Biblical love. They were...
Biblical Love is...
NOT Envious
NOT Envious
Note again that our text says...
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
The word “envieth” in Greek indicates jealousy towards another. It literally means to be or become painfully desirous of another’s advantages. Advantages mean any strengths, privileges, or attributes we desire but do not possess. It mainly shows itself when we become aware of others receiving more attention than us. In other words, they receive the recognition that we think belongs to us or desire to have for ourselves.
BIBLE EXAMPLE: King Saul was painfully jealous of David’s accomplishments knowing God’s hand was upon David.
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.
Biblical love does not allow our service to the Lord to become a competition for approval or praise. Biblical love rejoices with others when they do things for the Lord. It does not operate on suspicion. Instead, it sets aside self and seeks to uplift or build up the welfare and good of others.
Biblical love does not envy others.
Biblical love is...
NOT Boastful or Braggadocios
NOT Boastful or Braggadocios
Look again at verse 4.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Note that it says “vaunteth not itself.” The word “vaunteth” is not commonly used today. In Greek, the connotation behind this word means to be or become boastful and exhibit self-importance. Basically, Biblical love doesn’t “toot its own horn.”
BIBLE EXAMPLE: The rich man who built more barns essentially was tooting his own horn, and God judged him for it.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
The reason this particular story stood out to me as I was studying is this. Too many times, we, as believers, take credit where credit is not due. We brag either directly or indirectly about the spiritual gift we have. Our issue is the same as this rich man’s issue. We are taking credit for what God has so graciously bestowed upon us. That is not the way by which Biblical love behaves. Loving God and loving others means not flaunting ourselves boastfully and engaging in self-glorification. Yes, you might be very good at what you do. You may even have achieved a level of understanding and use of your gifts that far exceed others. However, you are not demonstrating Biblical love if you boast or brag about it. Instead of boasting, Biblical love works to lift (build up) the Lord and others, not ourselves.
Here is another characteristic of Biblical love.
Here is where we want to pick back up today!
Biblical love is...
NOT Arrogant
NOT Arrogant
Return again to 1 Corinthians 13:4
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
The last phrase of this verse states, “charity…is not puffed up.” Again, if you study the Greek behind the word “puffed up,” you will find that it means to be or become proud. It is conceived as being puffed up with air like a balloon. Such a person is a person who once again thinks more of themselves than they do others. They are arrogant, believing they are superior to others. Additionally, they look down upon others and believe they are always right, and everyone else is wrong.
BIBLE EXAMPLE: King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
King Nebuchadnezzar achieved a level of greatness not many have ever accomplished. He was the ruler of a vast empire that spanned much of the known world in his time. I don’t think anyone could argue that he was a great intelligent man with a special military and political strategy gift. However, he made one huge mistake. He became proud and arrogant. We see his arrogance in the verse we just read. He forgot that Jehovah God was God.
Additionally, he attributed what he had done and gained to his ability, not giving glory and recognition to God. There was no Biblical love, or love of any kind for that matter, exhibited by Nebuchadnezzar. No, he was puffed up with selfish pride. What was God’s reaction?
31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.
Some might respond to this story and my application by saying it doesn’t apply. The foundation of their argument is that Nebuchadnezzar was a heathen and pagan king. My reply is this! If God thought enough to humble a pagan whose heart was filled with pride, what does He feel about those who claim to follow and love Him? Remember that 1 Corinthians is written to believers, which means us. We are the ones who have committed our lives to live according to His commands. His instruction, then, is to live a life of Biblical love. What does that look like? It is a life of humility and not arrogance. We must humble ourselves even when we think we are right and others are wrong. We are not to assert ourselves or become overbearing in our relationships with others.
Biblical love...
DOES NOT Act Unseemly or Unbecomingly
DOES NOT Act Unseemly or Unbecomingly
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
The first part of verse 5 states, “Doth not behave itself unseemly.” Again, if you go to the Greek, it means to behave unbecomingly-to not behave in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in certain social groups. However, in context, Biblical love never acts against the accepted standards of what is correct or appropriate according to God’s righteousness. In other words, God’s Word is the standard by which we live. Thus, Biblical love always acts according to His standards, not the world. The world or society has its own standards. The world says being rude, boastful, and overbearing is okay to get what you want. If someone crosses you or steps on you, you should step up and put them in their place. Make a big scene. However, God expects us to love others Biblically. In fact, Biblical love is sacrificial action. It means we sacrifice our wants, desires, and even whatever amount of respect we think we are owed for the wishes, desires, and respect God and others claim.
BIBLE EXAMPLE: I point you to the prophet Jonah for this example, and for time’s sake, I will give you a quick rundown of his story. God instructed Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh. He was to preach repentance to them, warning them of God’s judgment. However, Jonah refused to go. Instead, Jonah jumps on a ship heading in the opposite direction. By his very actions, Jonah demonstrated a life unbecoming of a prophet. Why did he do it? Why did he refuse and purposefully go in the other direction? If you know the back story of Nineveh, you will see that they, as a people committed great atrocities against the people of Israel. Some of the things they did are improper to mention here in a public forum. Jonah knew all this. He held a deep hatred for the people of Nineveh. Jonah also knew that following God’s instructions could lead to them repenting and God’s forgiveness. So, instead of loving his enemy with Biblical love, he rudely disobeyed God. Jonah acted unseemly and unbecoming as a man of God. Later, even when he had fulfilled God’s instructions and Nineveh repented, he continued to operate without Biblical love. He parked his butt outside Nineveh and pouted that God had not destroyed it.
Sometimes serving God does not go how we intended it or thought it should. In fact, being a servant of the Lord means we carry out His will, not ours. It is the same when it comes to utilizing our spiritual gifts. God gifts us to serve Him, not ourselves. And, when things do not conform to what we think is right, fitting, or appropriate, we must submit to Him and act out of Biblical love. What does that mean? It means we stay obedient to the standard of God’s Word. We don’t color outside the lines by acting unseemly.
Another “is NOT” of Biblical love is this.
Biblical love...
Does NOT Seek Its Own
Does NOT Seek Its Own
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
“Seeketh not her own” means not seeking or trying to get something out of reach. This characteristic is another aspect of envy or jealousy. It is when you desire something or someone that is not yours and is beyond your ability to have it. Additionally, it can mean taking it all or grabbing it all for yourself. For some, the grass is always greener on the other side, and they are always reaching to get it. They do everything within their power to get what they cannot have. Likewise, when they do have the opportunity to get what they desire, they want it all. That is not Biblical love. The person who always wants what is not theirs or seeks to take it all for themselves is very self-centered. Scripture plainly teaches that God’s love is not self-centered. Instead, it is for us, God, and others-centered. We are to put Him first and not our own. We are to put others first and not our own.
BIBLE EXAMPLE: I believe a great illustration of love that “seeketh her own” can be found in the life of Israel’s kings. He was, in fact, a horrible king. His name was King Ahab. If you are familiar with the Old Testament stories, you might know he was married to a woman named “Jezebel.” Both Ahab and Jezebel were incredibly selfish and greedy people. This story demonstrates their greed. As king of Israel, Ahab owned much land and enjoyed great riches. Yet, one piece of property was out of his reach. He did not own it. As the story goes, this property was a remarkable vineyard. It was also located right next to Ahab’s palace located in Jezreel. The vineyard was owned by another man named “Naboth.” To make a long story short, Ahab saw the vineyard every day and desired to have it. He approached Naboth seeking to purchase it from him. However, Naboth refused to sell it, stating that it was the inheritance of his fathers. Naboth’s refusal to sell infuriated Ahab. Ahab goes back to his palace and throws a huge pity party.
4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
What was Ahab’s problem? He saw something that was not his and sought to make it his own. What is interesting about this story is that Ahab indeed acquires the vineyard. His wife, Jezebel, sets up a very devious plan to have Naboth murdered. And, as Scripture records, her plan succeeds.
13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.
16 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
Naboth is wrongfully murdered, and Ahab seizes Naboth’s vineyard. The whole story is recorded in 1 Kings 21 if you want to read it yourself.
Obviously, no Biblical love was involved in this story of Ahab and Naboth’s vineyard. Ahab and Jezebel clearly were not committed to following God and His word. However, they are a great illustration of the self-love that this world follows.
What God is saying to us as believers do not love as the world loves. That is the point the Holy Spirit is making in our text. This world’s love always seeks its own. It goes after whatever satisfies the self. No, Biblical love (agape love/sacrificial love) does not try to fulfill its own desires. It does not ask for its own way or try to acquire gain.
On the contrary, God’s love is an act of the will that seeks to serve others and not be served. It is a love that places the needs of others before our own. As we know, God demonstrated this type of love by giving up the splendors of heaven and coming to earth to die for our sins.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
We are to have the same mind as Christ. A mind that desires to put others first through sacrificial actions. Actions that do not seek our own desires but instead put the desires of God and others ahead of ourselves.
Here is the next characteristic of Biblical love.
Biblical love is...
NOT Easily Provoked
NOT Easily Provoked
This is a very interesting characteristic and one that needs to be emphasized more.
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
The word “provoke” means the same as it does today. It means to incite or stir up. This word can be used positively or negatively. In fact, Scripture positively uses this word concerning love.
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
We are encouraged by God to incite or stir up each other to love as He loves us and to do good works. However, in our text, it is used negatively. We are NOT to let the actions and words of others incite or stir us to the point we lash out against them.
There are many examples in God’s Word.
BIBLE EXAMPLE: Moses is an example of how we often let others incite us to act contrary to God’s Word. As Moses led the nation of Israel across the wilderness, the people repeatedly tested him and God. God promised He would take care of them throughout their journey. Yet, at the drop of a hat, the children of Israel would moan and complain about everything. On one such occasion, they were in an arid, deserted wilderness area. They were without water. And, once again, all of Israel begins to complain. Moses and Aaron appeal to the Lord’s help. The LORD commands Moses to take his rod, gather the people around a rock, and then speak to the rock.
8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
Moses does what the LORD commands. He takes his rod and gathers them all together, and everything proceeds as God instructed. However, there was a slight hiccup. Moses was mad and extremely upset by the people’s constant complaining. You can hear it in the tone of verse 10.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
Note then his actions.
11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
Uh-oh! Moses did not obey God’s instruction at that moment. What happened? Moses allowed the constant complaining of the people to rob him of his ability to love Biblically. Some might say Moses was justified because of the people’s constant complaining. That is the issue. Biblical love necessitates that we do not allow others to provoke us. When we do, we abandon all desire to serve and obey the Lord. Our emotions take over, and we respond out of fear or anger. Both fear and anger are selfish actions. In those times, we lose sight of God and focus only on ourselves. It happened with Moses. In this particular instance, it cost Moses a great deal. His reaction to the people resulted in Moses not entering the promised land with Israel. His lack of Biblical love towards the people forfeited that blessing. It would seem that was a harsh punishment. Indeed, it was. It was harsh because God expects His people to live and act holy as He is holy. Thus, even today, God expects us to be people of Biblical love.
What does that love look like? It is a love that is not easily provoked by outbursts of anger. Instead, our love for others is to be gentle as we faithfully serve others even when they fail.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Head - This morning, our focus is Biblical love. As we close, may I remind you that God is love. If we claim to follow Him, we have no choice but to love others. He is love, He loved us, and He loved us first. Therefore, we are to love, love him and others, and love them before they love us. Any believer who claims to love God must love others as well.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Heart - This means that we are to love Biblically. It means loving others even when we don’t feel like it. And it also means loving others according to the characteristics indicative of Biblical love.
Hands - Let’s get busy living a life of Biblical love.