MEMORY SCRIPTURE
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.
(2 Corinthian 5:14)
Your spiritual gifts must be exercised with, and in the love of Christ that brought Him into this world for our redemption and by which He gives us gifts. Remember 1 Corinthians 13.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 16: Love ls Greater Than All Gifts (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
Tue. 17: Love Makes Our Sacrifices Acceptable (1 Cor. 13:3)
Wed. 18: Love: A Panacea For Pride (1 Cor. 13:4)
Thur: 19: Love Is Perfect (1 Cor. 13:8-10) Fri. 20: Love Proves One’s Maturity (1 Cor. 13:11)
Sat. 21: Love Is God (1 Jn. 4:7)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
We are more passionate about seeing the lost reconciled to God when we have this strong, Spirit-led motivation of Christ’s love.
INTRODUCTION
textuaL sourCE: Deuteronomy 6:5; John 15:13,14; 21:15-17: RomaNS 5:5FF; 1 CorINthians 13:1-13; 14:1; 16:14,15; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14,15: 1 J0HN 4:19
We thank God for the previous lesson that revealed God’s mind On moderation through godly leaders and mentors. We were able to discuss Apollos as a zealous but immature teacher, but who was later mentored aright by a committed godly couple, Aquilla and Priscilla, that facilitated his effectiveness in the ministry. Thank God!
As God guides us through the last but not the least Sunday school lesson in 2024 that falls on the Sunday before Christmas, we genuinely pray that He will teach us how He shows His love for man in sending His only begotten Son, Jesus, to our sinful world. We are perusing Christ’s love as the motivation for the exercise of our gifts in our services to God and humanity. We are believing God to open our hearts to understand the lesson and help us to genuinely love Him and those He sends us to.
LESSON OUTLINE
- LOVE GOD GENUINELY
- LOVE THE TARGETS LIKE CHRIST DOES
LESSON EXPOSITION
LOVE GOD GENUINELY (Deut. 6:5; Jn. 21:15-17; Rom. 5:5ff; 2 Cor. 5:14,15; 1Jn.4:19)
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me? “And he said to Him, “Lord, you know all things; You know that love You. “Jesus said tor him, “Feed My sheep.
(Jn. 21:17)
a) 1 Jn. 4:19: The believers’ love is premised on the fact that God has first loved us in our creation (Gal. 1:26,27), sustenance, and redemption (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn.3:16). This is what Christmas is all about
b) Rom. 5:5ff: God’s special love (Grk. agape) is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit in us, making us fully aware of, grasp, and comply with this Love.
c.) Deut, 6:5: In appreciation of what God has graciously done for us, we should love Him wholeheartedly, without reservation. That is loving obedience to His command
d) 2 Cor, 5:14,15: Christ’s love compels us to no longer live our lives for purselves but for Him (Christ) who died for us (cf. Gal. 2:20).This view affects believers’ attitudes to their gifts (1 Cor. 4:7; Php. 4:13).
e) Jn. 21:15-17: The way Jesus queried Peter concerning his love for Him and the connection with the use of his gift in Christ’s fold shows how Christ deeply connects effective use of our gifts with the level of our love for Him, hence Paul’s emphasis in 1 Cor. 13:1ff.
LOVE THE TARGETS LIKE CHRIST DOES? (Jn. 15:13,14; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; 14:1; 16:14,15)
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts…
(1 Cor. 14:1)
a) Jn. 15:13,14: Christ’s love for humanity is both extremely sacrificial (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:6,8) and deeply compassionate (Jn. 15:13,14). This is the kind of love Christ wants to moderate our hearts in the use of our gifts in His body (vv. 12,17).
b) 1Cor.13:1-3:The use ofgifts without Christ’s love/compassion for the targets is useless, meaningless, fruitless, and without reward (cf. 2 Tim. 3:5).
c) vv.4-13: These features of true love should moderate how we use our gifts in Christ’s body. Anything less is a child’s play.
d) 16:14,15: Do all things in true love for others. Learn from Stephanas’ household, the first seed in Achaia, who devotedly served the saints. Why? They genuinely loved God and others.
e) 14:1: The Corinthian brethren were missing it in the exercise of their gifts. The way out is to pursue love as much as the spiritual gifts are earnestly desired. Love must balance the use of gifts!
LESSONS DERIVED
- When the genuine love of Christ motivates us, we will make clear positive differences in life and in the ministry.
- When you genuinely love God and His people, you will use your gift(s) in a rewarding and God-pleasing manner.
QUESTIONS
- Can someone be displaying the gifts of God without loving God genuinely in the light of 1 Cor: 13:1-13?
- Love mustbalance the use of gifts. Discuss
