Radical Love: Love Honors Others - Sermon outline for February 9, 2020 (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on February 9, 2020)

2020 VISION: RADICAL LOVE - Love Honors Others - 1 Corinthians 13:5 - February 9, 2020

Prayer

INTRODUCTION

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

It does not envy.  It does not boast.  It is not proud.

They will know you are my disciples by your love.

This love is demonstrated in two major fields - others and self.

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:1-13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. IT DOES NOT DISHONOR OTHERS

A.  Our society today

1.  An atmosphere of disrespect

2.  The case of the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi

Shannon Schick in her blogpost “An Open Letter to Mrs. Pelosi”

“You didn’t use the time honored words to introduce the president. You allowed your personal feelings to override anything that looks like what you’re paid to do. You are paid to represent the American people and to do your best while you have the position. You’re not paid to have a temper tantrum upon your mini throne.

It’s OK, if you don’t feel love for the current president, but do you think that ripping up a speech that recognized and honored a baby born prematurely, a young lady receiving a big honor, a respected military man turning 100 years old, a soldier returning home, and more is the morally right thing to do? We wonder why there’s such a lack of respect for elders and authority in this country. You, ma’am, were a perfect example for the reason—you, you who are an elected “leader” of this great nation, acted like an enraged toddler whose Goldfish were taken away before you were ready. Sadly, you have repeatedly allowed the vitriol in your heart to overflow into your work.”

B.  Disrespect for human life

1.  The case of the elderly

2.  The case of the mentally ill

3.  The case of the different - race, religion, national origin, etc.

4.  The case of the unborn

C.  Christians should honor others.

1. IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING

A.  It is an action verb.

“It does not seek its own interest.”

B.  Proper perspective

1.  Love is about others.

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

1 Corinthians 10:24

2.  Love does not hate itself.

C.  Christians should seek the interest of others. 

CHALLENGE

Read 1 Corinthians 13 every day.  Continue memorizing 1 Corinthians 13:5.  Apologize if you dishonor someone else.  Explain why you are apologizing.  Recognize self-absorbed behavior/thoughts by writing down incidents where you sought life for yourself instead of others.  Write down a more appropriate response/action.