FIVE THINGS LOVE NEVER DOES
1 Corinthians 13:5
January 30, 2008 & 2-6-08
Mikematijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
1 Cor. 13 gives us 15 measurements of LOVE- (tangible ways)
* The first five in (13:4)
13:5 (Remember this is in the middle of Paul's discourse on spiritual gifts)

A. Love is never RUDE- "behave unseemly"
* Spiritual gifts are to be exercised with good manners & courtesy.
(Unseemly= to act in a disorderly or convoluted way)
1 Cor 14:40
*** Rudeness is a sign of:
(1) The individual is NOT filled with the Spirit
(2) Not a sign of biblical love.

B. Love is never SELFISH- "seeketh not her own" (13:5b)
* A love that is actively seeking the good of others.
NOTE: Many Corinthians used spiritual gifts to advance "their" ministry… NOT LOVE.
1 Cor. 10:23-24 Paul ties these verses together- not for PERSONAL use…
* In counseling attitudes that has gone sour - hear, "I have a RIGHT TOO!" (no love here)
That attitude in a marriage - will kill it, if love= emotions, "I don't love you anymore."
1 Cor. 10:33
*** Biblical love is ALWAYS seeking the best for the other…
*** Biblical love & selfishness CANNOT co-exist.
* Not a bible verse/doctrine contest… or tongues shout out!
* 1 Cor 14:4 "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." (in context)

* Promoted as the "prayer language"- "gifts" are NEVER for an individual- but the CHURCH.
- IN context- change your focus *** 1 Cor 14:12-14 (see this)

* A genuine demonstration of Love will ALWAYS point outwards to others…
See Phil 2:1-5 Jesus set aside His own glory for us… Eph 5:25 Husbands love wife LIKE Christ-
Agape love= esteeming others above yourself!
Jesus made a conscious choice to leave Glory to die for us- LOVE= a choice.
* This type of love is not to REVOLVE around SELF.
* This is a love that is proactive to build up others!
Rom 15:2 "Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification."

Question: Are we really using our tongue to build others up in the Lord?

C. Love is never HYPERSENSITIVE (13:5c) "…not easily provoked…"
* Hard to provoke somebody that you really love.
* The Corinthians were sue happy- made a huge issue of spiritual gifts… but easily provoked…
Ps 119:165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
* When you are really in love with God & His word you'll have great peace…
Some people are hyper-sensitive--- high maintenance, walk on eggshells (not a loving person)
1 Peter 4:8 " And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
* We all have a bad day- but a habitual individual that overreacts, they don't have love.

D. Love never tries to GET EVEN- (13:5d) "thinketh no evil"
* Vengence has no biblical place in a loving person.
* Accounting term-
Love doesn't wrong suffered into account---keep short accounts.
Love doesn't keep score…0 Balance…
Love doesn't say, "I don't get mad I get even" I don't try to get even or
Rom. 12:18-19 "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
Practical sense:
* Suspicion & Evil imagination have NO place in biblical love!
Mt 9:3-4 Man brought to Jesus… healed him, but the scibes…
"And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
* The scribes were upset because - Jesus was threatening their security.
* Love looks for the best not the worst- so relationships suffer.
*** Doesn't mean you should be walked over…
* Some people been hurt so much that you have come to be suspicious of ALL. (Nunez)
* Learn to love- stop being skeptical of everyone.
Eph 4:29-32 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

E. Love never finds JOY IN EVIL- love doesn't gloat when an enemy suffers tragedy
* Love doesn't say, "I told you so… it serves them right."
Examples:
1. David refused to exercise his right to usurp Saul- even after David was anointed.
When God's vengeance caught up to Saul…
David grieved after Saul was killed- he didn't say, "Well Saul finally got his."
2. Jeremiah preached impending doom- preached his heart out but not ONE convert- but in…
Jer 13:17 "But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive."
* Love doesn't have to get the last word in..
* Love is not about WINNING, but God's truth.
Love is about sorrow when God's rules are violated.
Problem: Our past conditioning has affected us to be self-centered, & sensitive.
Rom 12:2 Renew our minds- replace bad habits with good habits

* Love can be taught!
Tit 2:4 "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children…"
* Why people need to get discipled - get connected with other believers- to learn to LOVE.
Love is not an EMOTION!
* Hope here for all that are LOW on the LOVE-O-METER
Gal 5:22-23 several qualities of love right here:
* It is the fruit of the Spirit- by allowing Him to have total control of our lives.
Die to self- by CHOICE to allow God to control my life--- the proof of it is the transformed life.

* Why a relationship with God is so essential--- why Jesus came to begin with!

Conclusion:
* Love real love is NEVER:
Rude
Selfish
Hypersensitive
Never gets even
Gloats in tragedy