GIFTS THAT LAST
I CORINTHIANS 13:1-13
Introduction:
What is the most desirous gift of the gifts mentioned in the Word of God? Which will endure and bring happiness in your life? Many of the gifts of the Spirit have passed away and are no longer necessary. Which remain and of those which is the greatest gift?
I. THE GIFTS THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY.
I Corinthians 12:8-10.
A. These have passed away:
1. Word of wisdom: Mark 16:20, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
2. Word of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of healing
5. Working of miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning spirits
8. Divers kinds of tongues
9. Interpretation of tongues
B. What is left in this list?
1. Only FAITH
2. Paul adds HOPE, AND CHARITY in I Corinthians 13.
II. WHAT GIFTS REMAIN?
I CORINTIANS 13:13
A. FAITH – to believe God.
1. ABEL — a man of faith — “offered a more excellent sacrifice.” Hebrews 11:4, By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
2. ENOCH — he walked with God — Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
3. NOAH — Genesis 6:8, “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
4. ABRAHAM — Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
B. HOPE — our desires for the future.
1. Hope of eternal life — Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”
2. Hope of the resurrection — I Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” Verses 20-23 give the details.
3. Hope of a new body — I John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” See also I Corinthians 15:51-52.
C. LOVE — the ability to have affection for someone. Matthew 22:37-39.
1. Man’s Love For God:
a. “Love the Lord with all your heart.” Your very being.
b. “Love the Lord with all your soul.” Your very life.
c. “Love the Lord with all your mind.” The strength of a man is in his mind. ATTITUDES.
2. God’s Love For Man:
a. Christ’s love for man,
Romans 5:6-8, For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
b. Man’s love for mankind, “…as thyself” – this is not self-esteem as is taught in our day. Man cannot have a proper attitude about himself unless he loves God. Then he can love others.
III. WHICH OF THE GIFTS WILL ENDURE? v. 13.
A. FAITH — will become SIGHT at the Lord’s coming and we will no longer need faith.
B. HOPE — will become REALITY at the resurrection and rapture.
C. LOVE — is the GREATEST and EVERLASTING gift, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
CONCLUSION:
God has given us all the gifts we need to accomplish His will in our lives. We need to look closely at them and use them by faith looking to our hope, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has loved us with an everlasting love.