Sovereign Grace Chapel, located
at 135 Annabel Lane in Beaver, West Virginia, invites you to
listen to a gospel message concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. If you would, turn with me to
1 Corinthians 13. 1 Corinthians 13. And my aim today is to do just
as what Walker read that quote here, is to lift up Christ and
not us. And I hope to show that here
in this passage here. But I'm just going to read the
whole chapter here. It's not too awful long. 1 Corinthians
chapter 13. 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. 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. And though I bestow all my goods
to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, yet profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth
long, and is kind. Charity envieth not. Charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, Rejoice
not in iniquity, but rejoice in the truth. Beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 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. For we know in part, and we prophesy
in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that
which is in part shall be done away. 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. For now we see through
a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part,
but then shall I know as also I am known. And now abideth faith,
hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity. The word here in this passage
that we read as charity is the Greek word agape. And that same
word is used in Galatians 5.22 where we read, but the fruit
of the Spirit is love. The first of this fruit of the
Spirit mentioned is love, that agape. This love is a perfect
love. But let's look at what is said
here about charity, or that is this agape love. What are some
of the characteristics of this love, you might say? It suffereth
long. You can say it is long-suffering.
It's patient. This kind of love is not looking
for a return, in other words. It is kind. The main meaning
of this is to show oneself useful, benevolent, giving, and helpful,
you can say. It envieth not. This one means
to have warmth of feelings for or against. So it does not do
this. So not just I want what they
have, but also I do not want what they have. It doesn't do
that. I'm starting to see that this does not describe me in
the things I do. It vaunteth not itself. This
means that charity does not cause you to brag on yourself. Well,
I have more faith than they do, so I need to help them. That's
not charity. Not puffed up, proud or to blow
up. Proud in anything to do with what I'm doing. Doth
not behave itself unseemly. This is unbecoming or that is
improper or inappropriate. It does not do that. Seeketh
not her own. It is not self-worshipping. Not
easily provoked. You are not easily set off by
something that happens. Thinketh no evil, that is, depraved
or injurious. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, does
not rejoice in any injustice of any kind. I don't know about you folks,
but it makes me think long and hard about saying if I have charity
or not. I certainly do not all the time,
but that's no excuse. So a few more that are mentioned
here. What does it say charity is or does? It rejoices in truth. Truth of all kind, but especially
the truth of the gospel. Beareth all things, and that
is to cover with silence things that would be destroyed. To cover
others' faults, and it says all things. What that means is it's
not trying to expose others. Believeth all things. To have
faith upon or with respect to a person. Hopeth all things to
expect or confide. Endureth all things to endure
trials and to hold fast all things. And last mentioned, it never
fails. It stays on course and it doesn't
fall away. All things spoken of charity,
I do not see in myself. I like to think sometimes that
I have this charity, and I'm not saying that I don't or that
God's people cannot have it. But as soon as I start thinking
about if what I'm doing is being done in love, that is this charity,
I began to see this flesh wanting something in return for my love.
But you know, that is what Paul tells us here, for we know in
part, and we prophesy in part, God, as he has been pleased to
do, has given us these things in measure. We do not know all
things and we do not possess all things right now. I have
this flesh and it will mar that which is given to me. No, that's
not right. It will mar, but it won't mar
what's given to me, but it will taint those things which I do.
But then we read this comforting statement. But when that which
is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done
away. Paul comes to this passage from
what we know as the previous chapter of 1 Corinthians 12,
where he talks about the body being many members, but one body. And if you read back in chapter
12 there, you'll see all the gifts come from God, come from
his spirit. But he then says, covet, or that
is, desire the best or stronger, nobler gifts. But then he adds,
yet I show you a more excellent way, a more abundant way. So
that's what I wanna speak on today. Charity, knowing in part
and prophesying in part, and that which is perfect. So we first start with charity,
and the word is agape, as I was telling you. When you look at
this word and where it's used, and as far as I can see, it talks
about a love of God, a love for God, a true, genuine love. That's what this word means.
In some places, it may be used to indicate that some do not
have this love, but it is always talking about a love which is
of God. This kind of love is the fruit of the Spirit. This
kind of love is God, for the scripture says God is love, and
the word used is agape. First John 3, 16 and 17, we read,
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his
life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need,
and shut up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love
of God in him? There is one place where we can
know the love of God, and that is what it says there in 1 John. Hereby we perceive or know. We know it in the gospel. You
look anywhere else to find love, you will not find it. That is
where, and it's the only place where we will find this kind
of love because of what God did for His people. This scripture
here in 1 John is clear. If someone has money or a lot
of things where they could help another and they do not, that
is not a gothy love. God's people do care for one
another and we help one another, period. We are one body, as Walter
was saying last week. If we see a brother in need and
we do not help them, if we have the means, then we are saying
to them, I don't need you. Now we do fail in this, too. But we also know that we love
him. That is, we have this agape love,
this perfect love, because he first loved us. But yet we still
have this flesh and it likes to think highly of itself. What
are we taught here in 1 Corinthians 13? We may speak very eloquently,
but if we do not have the love of God, then we are just a bunch
of noise. Isn't that what it says in 1
Corinthians 13? And what about the next one, verse two? And
though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries
and all knowledge, and though I have faith so that I could
remove mountains and have not charity, I am nothing. If I possess the gift of prophecy,
That is what this book says, and I can explain every passage
in the scripture, and I have all knowledge. And here it even
says, I have all faith. That is, I believe God so much,
I can say to the mountain, be thou removed, to moved over here.
But if I have not charity, I am nothing. You can do things that
is really help others out, and maybe you might even save someone's
life by giving yours. Verse three, 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. You
can do for others everything that is humanly possible to do,
including giving your life for someone. But if you do not have
charity, there is no profit in it. People have given of their
things severely. There are some who have given
about all they have just so others could have. There are those who
have given their life. People who were good moral people
have given their life for others. But God tells us that no matter
to what extreme you do, if you do not have charity, that is
you do not have the love of God, then there is no profit with
anything you do. We've already heard that recently.
Even the plowing of the wicked is sin. Without that which comes
from God and because of God and what He has done, no matter what
we do, it will be of no benefit. Now we've already read that the
fruit of the Spirit is those list of things. If you do not
have one of these, because they are all one fruit, What does
this say of you? This is what I see it as. You
are illegitimate. It isn't real with you. This
fruit is one fruit. From the head flows all things. You will have all these things
from the head. They may be in measure, but you
will possess them. The love of God in an individual
calls them to see, not all the time we have this flesh, but
it will cause his people to know. I know in part and I prophesy
in part. So that leads me to knowing in
part and prophesying in part. Paul says, for we know in part
and we prophesy in part. We have knowledge, but it is
in part. That is, God has given us a piece
or a share of knowledge as we sojourn in this world. We also
do proclaim in part. That is, we speak by inspiration
of God in part. God does give it to us to speak
the truth. We do not speak all things or
prophesy all things because we do not know all things. But we
do do these things by His Spirit. God will teach us these things,
that is, that we know in part and we prophesy in part. It may
not be enjoyable, though, when we are being taught these things,
but we will learn that we know and prophesy in part. Peter had
to learn this, didn't he? And before I go into this, let
me give the definitions of the Greek words for love. I hope
it can, in some way, help us to understand, at least outwardly,
understand the use of these words. Agape I've already went over,
but let me just read the meaning for that. To love with the heart. A love that directs the will
of the one who possesses it to actually love. It is a love that
is intrinsic to God alone. but it is given to his people
as a gift. Filio is to love with the head. That is, in your mind, being
fond of the one to whom disaffection is pointed to. Now, just to be
clear, filio can be genuine and God-given. It is used in instances
even of Christ towards someone. We know, of course, his loving
with the mind is perfect, and ours is not. But we see this
love which Jesus Christ was manifesting to one of his own to show that
one that he knows only in part and prophesies in part. This
flesh can convince us that we can do great things, but it deceives
us. If you would turn with me to
Luke 22, very familiar to you all. Luke 22, this is the account
of, an account of Peter. Luke 22, and I wanna read 31
through 34. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon,
behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you
as wheat. But I have prayed for thee that
thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I
am ready to go with thee, both into prison and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter,
the cock shall not crow this day before thou shalt thrice
deny that thou knowest me. God Almighty uses his devil to
teach his people. Just as Paul said about the thorn
in the flesh, he said it was Satan's messenger sent to buffet
him. God Almighty allowed Satan to sift Peter. What is it to
sift? To get rid of unwanted things.
God allowed Satan to do this because he purposed it to get
rid of some things as it concerned Peter. And in all of this, Peter's
faith did not fail. And I know it because Jesus Christ
prayed that it would not. And the father always gives the
son what he asked for. So although Peter denied Jesus
Christ before men, he still knew who Christ was. He could not
forget. This would show Peter that on
his own, he would not love Christ like he thought he would. This is that one who said he
would never forsake him. and that he would go to the death
with Christ if he had to. And he meant it too. This is
not charity. Charity does not want itself. But let's read a little further
in verses 54 through 62. 54 through 62 of Luke 22. Then took they him and led him
and brought him into the high priest's house and Peter followed
afar off. And when they had kindled a fire
in the midst of the hall, and were sat down together, Peter
sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him
as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This
man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman,
I know him not. And after a little while another
saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man,
I am not. And about the space of one hour
after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth, this fellow
also was with him, for he is a Galilean. And Peter said, Man,
I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet
spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned and looked
upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word
of the Lord and how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow,
thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. Peter had no idea what would
happen if they knew he was with Christ. He didn't know what was
gonna happen. I'm sure he was scared, he had
that cross in mind. But instead of not forsaking
him, like he said he was gonna do, and instead of going to the
death with Christ, what does he do? He first says, I know
him not. Then again he says, man, I am
not one of those that follow Christ. And then the third time
he says, I don't know what you're talking about. I did not know
him. While he was yet speaking, it
says, on this third time, the cock crows. But then here is
where it is. Jesus Christ looked on him. That is, he looked on Peter,
that one who would go to the death with him. This was a look
not to say, I told you so, but to let Peter know that Christ
was with him, no matter what. He wanted Peter to know that
he was and is in absolute, total, sovereign control of all things,
and that he purposed all things that were about to happen. That
it was his love for Peter that matters. He wanted Peter to know
the love that he had for him, and he was getting close to manifest
it outwardly before the world. That is just the first part of
the account that I want to mention, because when Jesus Christ showed
Peter his dependence on him to sustain and keep him, he went
out and wept bitterly. But then we have the other part
of what I'm calling the account of Peter that I want to bring
up. So turn with me to John 21. John
21. John 21 and verses 15 through
17. John 21, verse 15. So when they
had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me more than these? He saith unto him, yea, Lord,
thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second
time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, yea,
Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, feed
my sheep. He saith unto him the third time,
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was agreed, because
he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me? And he said unto
him, Lord, thou knowest all things. Thou knowest that I love thee.
Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep. Jesus Christ here asked
Peter the first two times, Peter, do you agape me? Do you love
me? Peter responds with, I phileo
you, Lord. I'm sure he is thinking back
at what he had done. He knew were it not for the Lord,
then he would leave Jesus Christ in a minute, just like that.
There was not going to be any bragging now. He is not going
to say he does anything now because he remembers that after all the
bragging he did before, he denied our Lord three times. But our
Lord continues on with Peter, asking him the same thing twice.
But then on the third time, he asked Peter, Do you filios me? He letting Peter know, I know
where you are and I'm right there with you. It is not about being
confident in yourself. It is about Jesus Christ and
his love towards us. But he wanted one of his to know
that he was right there with him. What did Peter then say? Lord, you know all things. You
know that I filio you. Christ had brought Peter to the
place where he could do nothing on his own. There would be no
speaking with the tongues of men and angels, no prophesying,
no giving goods to feed the poor, and no giving his body to be
burned in love without having the one who actually loves us. Because he can say, and he did,
go to the death for us. He, that is Jesus Christ, thinks,
he says, and he does all the right things. And this he did
being love personified. Why? Because he is that which
is perfect. So next, that which is perfect.
We are also told that charity hopeth all things. There is one
thing that charity does hope for. And that is the return of
Jesus Christ because Jesus Christ is the object of that love. Jesus
Christ is the giver of charity and he is the object of charity
or love. It is he who shall return one
day, he that which is perfect, but he will also bring that which
is perfect with him. It says when he returns that
we will be changed in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye. We
will drop this old adamic flesh and we'll be given a new body.
That which has as its head the one that is totally perfect.
I at times now find myself wanting to boast in myself and those
things that I might do. But there will come a day when
it will be true. I will know, even as I am now. Even more so then, I will not
be bragging on myself or my love for anyone else. I will be bragging
on His love for us, for me. And that's my conclusion. The
charity is all based on His love. There are some who have been
given that portion, given out by His Spirit to love Him and
to love the brethren. We do and can do things with
charity. I don't want anybody to think
that I'm saying that we cannot do that because we can. But we
do not dwell on it. If we do those things, we generally
do them and never know that we've done them in charity. Because
the love which we have points us to the one who actually did
love us. And he did this in his heart
and in his mind and with everything he is. He is the one and the
only one who could actually choose to do this. We are told that
we ought so to walk in this love, Ephesians 5, 2, and walk in love,
agape, and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath given
himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling
Savior. We are to be occupied with the
love of God in Christ. It is his love for God the Father,
but also the love that he has for his people. His love went
as far as it needed to go. He sacrificed himself a sacrifice
unto God. He was a sacrifice unto himself.
It just amazes me when I think about that. God sacrificed to
himself so that he might have a people for his name. He could
do no other because he is absolutely holy and just, so sin had to
be punished. He chose to do this.