message 2 (1)

Transcript for Message 2: The Pre-eminence Of Charity (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) by Merlin

Let us open our Bibles again to 1 Corinthians chapter 13. And let's take time to read in unison the first three verses. 1 Corinthians chapter 13, reading in unison verse 1 to verse 3. 1 Corinthians chapter 13, reading verse 1 to verse 3 together. Ready? Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become a sounding brass, or a drum. Though I have the gift of prophecy, I understand the mysteries and all knowledge. And though I have no 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, it profited me nothing. Let's pray. Lord, as we once again look into your word and consider this theme regarding charity as the greatest, we once again ask for your mercy to be upon us. That thou by your mercy would wash us and cleanse us from all our sins. That you would sanctify us and consecrate us, even to sanctify this hour and this place. As we sit still before you and listen to the meditation of your word for our learning and for our instruction. Grant thy people your wisdom, your understanding, and even so, that heart that is ready not just to hear and learn, but to ready to put them into practice and live it out in our everyday life. Even so, as we spend the next four days in this camp, may there be a display of charity and of love towards one another. And thereafter, bring it together with us as we return to our respective homes, and as we return to our everyday life, even as we return in our service in the ministry of the church. Have mercy to hear our prayers and bless us. For we pray all these in Jesus name. Amen. As we have learned from the message last night, the Apostle Paul was dealing with the problems in the Corinthian church, whose members were given to selfishness, to pride and vain glory. With their spiritual gifts, many were showing off for self-promotion, for advancement of themselves, rather than using them for the benefit of the entire body of Christ, the church. You know, one of the things that best describe the church, even while they are indeed believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the church in Corinth is known for its carnality. That has been the problem of the Corinthian church, and it is also the problem of many churches today. But in the case of the Corinthian church, in their carnality, many have been engaged in competition, engaged in contention. They love to compete, while we sometimes hear of people saying, competition is good. Yes, if it helps to build one another up. But more often than not, there's that great danger of having a competitive spirit, whereby you would contend, and you will be consumed with pride and vain glory. That that competition becomes ugly. And that is what we are seeing in the context of the Corinthian church. In their carnality, many are engaged in competition and contention, competition and contention, especially on who has the best gift. Last night, we have gone through the entire chapter. But this morning, I'd like us to take a closer look in few verses. This particular message, we shall focus on verse one to verse three, and consider the preeminence of charity. Bear in mind, as we have learned last night, that Paul is writing this chapter on charity and love as a continuation of what he has been writing in the previous chapter pertaining to spiritual gifts, in which he stressed on the last verse in verse 31 of chapter 12, but covet earnestly the best gifts. And yet, look at the second half of the verse, and yet, show I unto you a more excellent way. It's like Paul telling them, yes, while it is good for you to strive and to earnestly covet the best gifts, let me show you something that is more excellent. And that is where our text comes in, that we will consider this morning on this subject on the preeminence of charity. As we think of the word preeminence, sure, we would think of its supremacy. We would think of its superiority. We would think of its primacy. We can think of it in terms of its incomparability, beyond compare. The Corinthian believers were showing off their own giftedness out of selfish ambition, rather than using their gifts for the benefit of the whole body. As you can see, spiritual gifts were in abundance in Corinth. They have been well established even in the truth, having proper instruction received from the apostle Paul himself. But in the midst of it, it seems like love is lacking, if not missing, in the church. Yes, they have been well established in teachings and doctrine, and they have an abundance of spiritual gifts. But it appears, with Paul spending one chapter discussing with them the more excellent way about charity, it seems like the church seems to be lacking in this Christian virtue. As you can see, we read of quarrels, we read of contentions, and there are divisions among the Corinthian church. And this is especially obvious in the area of spiritual gifts. Now, briefly, This is especially obvious in the area of spiritual gifts. Now briefly, as we look into the subject on the preeminence, I'd like us to look briefly at chapter 12. For as you can see, Paul's writing in chapter 13 is aimed and geared up to help the Corinthian church to have the proper perspective and a proper understanding and even having the proper attitude in regards to their spiritual gifts. Obviously, as you will see, as we go through chapter 12, you would come to understand that yes, Paul here started to write discussing about spiritual gifts. He wanted to teach the church of how they should view spiritual gifts and how they should cultivate a healthy attitude towards it. Now look with me at verse one. In verse one, Paul clearly here said, now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. It's like Paul telling them, allow me to tell you and please understand and understand carefully and properly how we should view and what should be our attitude in regards to spiritual gifts. Coming down to verse four, he started to write telling the church, now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. Paul wanted the church to understand that there's no point of competing and contending with one another in terms of gifts because the truth of the matter is God blessed us with diversities of gifts. And he mentioned about diversity, but they all come from the same spirit, that is in verse four. Then he goes on to explain that in addition to diversities of gifts, church, you should know that there are also differences in administration diversities, differences, but even with such diversities and differences, it need not that they clash or collide because God purpose it that they ought to compliment each other. And that is what Paul is trying to tell the church here to make them understand, you should understand this well, that this is not about who's got the more excellent gift for God purpose it that there should be diversities of gift. And there are diversities and differences in administration. But you look with me at the last part, verse four, but the same spirit, but the same Lord. In fact, as we think of that word university, it's actually that word that is compound, taken and derived from two words, unity in diversity. And that is why it comes to be known as university. I'm sure some of you are in university. How is it it's called university? Because there are different disciplines, courses, engineering, law, what, nursing, medical, but they are in one institution. Diverse courses, diverse fields, but they are in one campus or in one institution, unity in diversity. And in your own free time, I encourage you to read through the entire chapter 12. That is actually the point that Paul is trying. We are made up of one body, but of many parts, diverse, different members, but of one body. And there ought to be unity in diversity. And that is how we have the word, actually the word university. But in this case, I want us to see for ourselves that diversity, but one spirit, same one and same spirit. Verse five, differences of administration, but one and the same Lord. All here is trying to tell them. It is not for you to contend and to compete and to have that kind of striving with one another for vain glory. In fact, Paul goes on in verse six. Look at the word again. There are diversities of operation, diversities of administration, diversities of operation. But look at how Paul emphasized again, the oneness in it. But it is the same God which worketh all in all. Unity in diversity. And look at the purpose with its diversities and differences. Look at the purpose. Verse seven, but the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man, to what? To profit with all. It is not just for you alone, but for the purpose that it benefits all. Yes, Paul here is discussing this matter. And obviously because of the fact that there has been quarrels, there has been competition, there has been conflict, there has been contention among the body of believers. And so Paul here as a spiritual father to the church was trying to teach everybody and to instruct them. You need not engage yourself in all these canalities, in all this childish competition and conflict. You need to understand that God purposive that there be diversities of gifts, differences in administration, differences in operation for the purpose that it will benefit everyone. So you would notice here how the Apostle Paul is guiding them and leading them through to have that proper understanding that yes, there are differences, there are diversities, but for the purpose that it would be beneficial to all. And he continues to explain in verse eight, four to one is given by the spirit, the word of wisdom, to another word of knowledge by the same spirit, to another faith by the same spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same spirit, to another working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, and to another diverse kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. But you look at how Paul emphasize in the midst of all the diversities of gifts, he will always bring us to one and the same spirit. Again, the concept and the idea of unity in diversity. But of this work it that one on the self same spirit, and look at the last part of verse 11, dividing to every man severally as he will. And so this is something we need to understand in regards to serving the Lord, in regards to the gifts that the Lord has bestowed upon each one of us. We need to understand that it is the Lord who gave it to us and purpose it that we have it, not for our self-promotion, not for our self-profit or self-advancement, but for the benefit, even for the furtherance of the work, and for the edification of the body of Christ. even for the furtherance of the work and for the edification of the body of Christ. And he goes on now to bring to us a very vivid picture of the concept of diversities and yet unity in the midst of diversity. You look with me now in verse 12. Or as the body is one, and had many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. Now notice carefully here how Paul presents to the church the diversities, the differences, but gradually bringing them to the point that in the midst of these diversities and differences, there has to be unity. For after all, all the gifts that we have, they came from one and the same God, one and the same Spirit. And look closely now. In the previous verses, he mentions about self-same Spirit, one and the same Lord. And now he brings to our attention the body of Christ. Look at verse 12 now. For as the body is one, and had many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. And the church is the body. Then he goes on, verse 13, for one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bound or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. Paul is building up the idea and the truth that he is presenting to the church, so the church would have a proper understanding and attitude of how they should conduct themselves, how they should behave themselves, and what should be the proper attitude in relation to your gift, as well as the gift of others. That there should be no competition. That there should be no division. But instead, in diversities and differences, unity. Now, to save some time, we move on further down to verse 23. It says there, and those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon this we bestow more abundant honor, and our unkindly parts have more abundant kindliness. Because, like in the body, we are designed, and we are made up of different parts, and sometimes the kind of personality among people that he may think of himself highly more than others, and look at others as inferior. Paul here is reminding us of the fact that, yes, the Lord gave us diversities of gifts, and with diversities of functions, but you cannot look down on any other, for we are to view ourselves as of one body, members of one body. Now, quickly, I bring you back for a while to verse 15. If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? Now, look carefully how Paul brings to our attention. Some may think that they are superior over others. Others would even think that they are inferior. Oh, I'm just a mere member of this fellowship group. I am just a mere member of the church. Might as well leave all these things to our pastor, or perhaps to our deacons, our elders, or those who hold on to, like, chairmen or committee members in fellowship groups. We should not be looking at it that way. We all are members of that body. And we must understand that while there are those who may hold on and may have such responsibilities, even with such great responsibilities, a ministry or a fellowship group will surely will not succeed or will surely would not work out if there be no members. That Paul here is telling the church, verse 18, But now hath God set the members, every one of them, in the body, as it had pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. So it is a fact that there are certain parts of the body that we seem to look in a way, look down. Like what you've read in verse 22, Nay, much more these members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor, and uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no name, but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked. And look with me on verse 25, That there should be no schism. Now that word is yes, not so familiar word in our time, but it's actually a word that simply means division. There are diversities of gifts, differences in administration, diversities in operation, but of one and the same Spirit, of one and the same Lord, one in the body of Christ. And here Paul emphasized that in the midst of diversities, there should be no schism in the body. And look at the remaining portion of verse 25, But that the members, look at the word there, but that the members, the members, regardless of what position or what gift you possess, look here, the members should have, look on, the same care for one another. And this is something interesting, because if you look at all this in a secular mind or in a worldview, there has always been that categorizing. Now, of course, we need to understand that is a secular, like, let's say when you are in a workplace, there is what we call rank and file. There is what we call supervisory or managerial level. And then there are those what we may call as the CEOs, executive officers. There's a hierarchy. And oftentimes it's a hierarchy. of the highest executive officers. There's a hierarchy. And oftentimes in such a hierarchy, you cannot miss the fact that there are people who may be on the top and look down on those below. Oh, never mind. He's but a rank and file. but in the body of Christ, there is a hierarchy that the members should have. Look at the word there. The same care for one another. Somehow, the word there is the same care. The same care is what an expression of what? Our love for one another. So, from the word hierarchy and he is actually transitioning leading us through the more excellent way which is what? Agape. Love. Now, we move on. He goes on in verse twenty-six to illustrate what could possibly happen in the body. And that how we should have the same care for one another. And whether one member suffer, what? All the members suffer with it. Or one member be honored, all members rejoice with it. Now, I'm sure we all have had experience how it, how painful it is to have a toothache. A toothache. Just one of the many parts of the body. Once it suffer, the entire body suffers. You cannot just have your localized pain. Because that pain surely would affect how you would think. It disturbs the peace in you. The discomfort that you suffer. It will not just be localized in that particular tooth or even in your gums. Because even when the pain is there, the effect is affecting the entire body. At times, you'll not be in the mood. You'll feel uncomfortable. And so it is in our relationship with one another. And so it is in the body of Christ. And whether one member suffer, all members suffer with it. And one member be honored. Look at this. All the members rejoice. Having been in the church for a number of years, perhaps in your case, most of you may have been grown up in the church. I am sure you all have had this experiences. In times of rejoicing, we all rejoice. In times of weeping, we all do weep. And why is it so? Because we belong to one body. Paul continue to emphasize this to the church. Now in verse 27, he made it straightforwardly say, now you are the body of Christ and members in particular. Then he goes on to say about different gifts. And God had said some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues, and so forth. But in the midst of it, he asked, have all the gifts of healing. Do all speak with tongues, do all interpret? Putting it in today's context, you look at the church, there is a pastor, there are preachers, there are Sunday school teachers, there are those who lead in prayer meetings, there are those who lead in inspiration. There are those who serve in the music ministry. There are those who serve in refreshment. There are those who serve in the ushering ministry, and the list can go on. And after saying all this, Paul said in verse 31, but covet earnestly the best gifts, and yet I show you a more excellent way. That while it is commendable, that we have that proper understanding in regards to our gifts in relation to gifts of others, and how we ought to not compete, but compliment. How we ought to cooperate, how we ought to coordinate, not compete, not contend. But in the midst of it all, and over and above all that he said in chapter 12, Paul was so burdened in his heart, obviously, by the prompting and the working of the Holy Spirit, and by the inspiration of that Spirit comes chapter 13. That over and above that proper understanding in regards to our spiritual gifts, in view and in relation to what others have also as their gifts. He goes on to write on the more excellent way. Paul was so burdened to show them the more excellent way, which is charity. And looking closely at verse 1, 2, and 3, I want us to see in here how the Apostle Paul highlighted charity as being preeminent in relation to our service in the ministry. Because in here, in all the words that he said, he emphasizes the fact that charity is supreme. In these opening verses of chapter 13, the Apostle Paul gave us a stark comparison in order to underscore the incomparability and the preeminence of love. And firstly, as we look at verse 1, Paul here is telling us how charity is preeminent over gift of thanks. Last night, we have a run through of chapter 13. But this morning, let's look at it again, and see how Paul indeed here emphasize the preeminence of charity. That granted that you have the proper understanding, granted that you have the proper attitude in regards to spiritual gifts, and the function and the discharge of these gifts in view of your service unto the Lord, even to acknowledge that yes, you have been blessed by God with this gift, and you recognize that others have been blessed by that gift. Paul is telling us that over and above, you need to put on charity. He wants to tell the church that granted that you have arrived to that proper understanding and proper perspective of your gifts, your attitude in regards to your gift, and how you acknowledge that you have been blessed by that such particular spiritual gifts and acknowledge the gift of others, it is good. And then you also are able to really see it and appreciate our individual gifts that we ought to complement one another, even that. individual gifts that we ought to complement one another. Even that there still needs for us to learn the what? The more excellent way. And that is charity. And Paul here emphasizes the pre-eminence of charity over spiritual gifts. Look again in verse 1, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Simply means that in everything you do in the service of the Lord, even with an excellent gift and with an excellent performance of that gift, it amounts to nothing apart from charity. So Paul here is really putting us and leading us into the proper picture. How we are led into that point that the greatest of all is charity. And why? Because as we see in here, charity is pre-eminent over spiritual gifts. Yes, in our time, in view of these spiritual gifts, some may have that eloquence to speak, some may have that eloquence to preach, to teach, some may have that ability to expound. We are reminded here that apart from charity, or if administered without love, it is nothing. Even when you have the best gifts, apart from love, you are nothing. The pre-eminence of charity over gifts. Coming down to verse 2, notice how the apostle Paul there said, 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. Here we see how charity is prominent over knowledge. Somehow, the Corinthian Church have missed the point of having spiritual gifts in terms of its motive, and in terms of its goals. That just when they thought that they have arrived, after all, they have been endowed with such an excellent gift. And they may have excelled in that particular gift that they have. They feel satisfied. Somehow, they have that sense of completeness in them, or perhaps that sense of fulfillment. Yet Paul reminds them that even with such a gift of knowledge, apart from charity, we are nothing. In fact, looking closely at verse 2, he did mention about prophecy, understanding all the mysteries, and all knowledge. And he mentioned, though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains. It reminds us of how the Lord Jesus refers to faith, which could remove mountains. How impressive, how amazing it could be to have such a kind of faith. But even with such a kind of faith, without love, it is nothing. I want us to see for ourselves the superiority of charity. Now, bear in mind, we're talking here about that particular love that is translated here as charity from the New Testament language, or New Testament word that is agape. How it is indeed superior and supreme over other kinds of love, as it is expressed on human terms, on human level. A man with a kind of faith that can move mountains. Impressive, amazing. Yet, Paul said, apart from charity, I am nothing. I want us to understand that what Paul is saying in here is not about choosing charity over service. In some groups and denominations, we often hear the slogan, doctrine divides, love unites. To them, they capitalize more on love. Some years back, there's even that movement within Christianity that is called as the emergent church. It used to be the in thing in Western countries a few years back, the emergent church. And they have as their slogan, love wins. Somehow, they have that very loose understanding and interpretation of love that they have demoted the biblical concept of love. And we have learned in last night's study, that charity rejoices not in iniquity. But in this concept and model that they are promoting and presenting. It appears that it is a kind of love that is all inclusive. In a way, very much like being told, come as you are. Love wins. We accept you as you are. So they are opening to what? With all that is in the world today. All the issues, all the controversies. That is not the kind of love that we are talking here. And add to it, we need to understand that this is not an issue about love over service, love over gifts. But rather, it is all about the proper attitude that we must have. In regards to our service, and over and above our service unto the Lord. It is what should characterize not just our walk, but more so in our service unto the Lord. And Paul here said, you look at all the impressive gifts that he quoted and mentioned. I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge. And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountain and have not charity, I am nothing. That should give us the impression of how Paul is really telling us how we ought to have that proper us how we ought to have that proper attitude, how we ought to cultivate such agape love in our walk and in our service unto the Lord. It is something that is not optional. Rather, it is a must. For without charity, look at what he said, I am nothing. Yes, as we have learned last night, agape is that love that loves without changing. It is a self-giving love that gives without demanding or expecting something in return. It is that love so great that it can be given to the unlovable and the unappealing. For as we know, that it is that love that describes the love of God. Agape love gives and loves because it wants to. It does not demand or expect any repayment or something in return. It gives because it loves. It does not love in order to receive. This is what makes this charity preeminent. You know, on the human level, our love for each other, whether you like to admit it or not, can sometimes be selfish. Even when we think about marriage, we praise and thank God for couple coming into marriage in a God-honoring way. Praise God. But at times, you need to look back at a particular stage in which you got attracted to that particular person. You need to examine yourself, your feeling. What is it that motivates you that you pray that you can have a relationship with this person? Whether you like to admit it or not, your answers would sound like this, because I like him or I like her. So it's more of yourself. I want her to be my lifetime partner. So there is that some sense of what? More of yourself. Though it takes some time that you would come to that clear and proper understanding that it is not much of having her, but it's about her having you. And eventually, it's about you having each other. Initially, without us really examining ourselves, our attraction, even our affection can be self-centered. And that is why we need to carefully pray about it, because our attention, our attraction, even our affection is what? More for ourselves. Although with good intention and with godly desire, but just the same. I pray. I want to be identified with her. I want her to be related to me. Only sometime later in that kind of relationship or friendship, especially in a godly relationship, that you'll be able to really see it clearly and appreciate you. It's more about giving yourself to her or to him, rather than having him or her for yourself. And that is the kind of love that we are looking at. Last night, I did mention that there are other Greek words for love, to describe love in terms of sensual and passionate love between two gender or opposite sex. And there is that another word that describes love in terms of brotherly, love for fellow men, filial love. And then there is that another word that is used to describe our love within the family. But what we are studying is agape love, describing the love of God towards man as it is applied in human context. And that is the kind of love that Paul is saying is preeminent. Paul here is not talking of any other kind of love, but just this particular kind of love. And this is the particular kind of love that is agape love that Paul is saying is preeminent. And Paul here is saying that in everything that you do in your service unto the Lord, whether it be gift of tongue, the ability and eloquence in speech, or in your knowledge, or in your administration, in the discharge of your duties and responsibilities, if you do it all, even in a very excellent manner, no matter how impressive, no matter how commendable, they amount to nothing. Again, notice how Paul emphasized the preeminence of charity. It is a must. Charity being preeminent over gifts, charity being preeminent over knowledge. Come with me now to verse 3. 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 profited me nothing. Here we see how Paul emphasized the preeminence of charity over giving and sacrifice. Charity over giving and sacrifice. Benevolence is good. However, if your benevolence is done apart from charity or love, look at what Paul said, it profited nothing. In today's morning devotion, we have studied about the rich fool. And obviously, he was indeed foolish. Having stored, thought about storing and keeping all his harvest, all his goods, building up a bigger barn. Here we are reminded of a person who may have the ability to give, obviously out of his riches. obviously out of his riches, obviously out of the abundance of his resources. And Paul is saying, though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profited me nothing. No matter how impressive, no matter how huge the amount you would give to help the poor, to help the needy, yes, it surely will profit them, it surely would benefit them, but it will not benefit you. A lot of people in the world are into all this. Pastor Paul in the morning devotion mentioned about like giving to charity, giving to foundation. In fact, there are great big names that have such foundation, giving all their resources, helping out other people while they are commendable in the eyes of men. They may be impressive in the eyes of men, but as we reflect upon what Paul, he said, if I give my goods to the poor, this is in view of the service, in view of the context in the work of the ministry. He said, if all this being done without love, it profited me nothing. I am sure you have heard of the word philanthropy. It's the act or the conduct of giving to the poor. Then the person who are engaged to it is called philanthropist. That word actually is from a Greek language or a Greek word, which is made up of two compound, two words. It's a compound word. The first one, the first half is from the word phileo, love, brotherly love. Then anthropo, man, philanthropy. Some of you may have studied anthropology. And what is anthropology? Study of man. Anthropy, anthropology. The first half, phileo, the word philanthropy. So oftentimes we have that understanding, oh, it's love for humanity. Well, feed the poor, go to the hungry, feed the hungry and go to poor countries and build up homes and build up all these feeding program to express their so-called love for humanity. Now what we are studying here is not about love for humanity in that sense. We're talking here about agape, charity. And that is why we often hear also what charitable institutions. But as we think of all this, these are the secular views and everything. What we are talking here is about our service unto the Lord. And see for yourself, if the world can so highly regarded people who are engaged into such acts, into such programs, humanitarian activities, how much more we in our service unto the Lord. That it is a must that even when you may give all your goods to feed the poor, Paul said, if it is not done with charity, it profited us nothing. There is this gospel account where there was this rich young ruler who came to ask the Lord, what shall I do to inherit the kingdom? What shall I do to inherit eternal life? And the Lord put him into a test, citing to him some of the commandments and somehow he seemed to be proud and very proud. All this I have done since my youth. What I lack yet. Until the Lord say, give your money or sell all that you have and give your money to the poor. At that point, the rich young ruler struggled. And obviously it reveals the covetousness in his heart. He went away sorrowful. But granted that that rich young ruler had obeyed what Jesus had said, that he sell all his goods and gave the money to the poor, it would still not be of any profit unto him if it is not done in charity. Remember how the Lord summarized the commandments when asked, which is the greatest commandment? Remember how the Lord summarized the commandment? Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, with all thy strength, and love thy neighbor as thyself. It brings us back to charity. It brings us back to agape. Releasing the fact that charity is indeed preeminent. And in addition to giving your resources, Paul goes on to cite even, in some instances, there are those who are willing not just to give their resources and goods to the poor. Even more commendable in the eyes of man and in the ears of man is when somebody gave their life. And the word here used by Paul is, I give my body to be burned. Some would take it to mean that he served the Lord to the point of being burned out. Some would take it to mean that, yes, I'll be burned in such a way, literally, physically, like being burned at the stake. Although the practice of burning Christians and believers at the stake did not start or begin or did have not been practiced until some years later. It was only during the time of all those emperors in the first three centuries of Christianity, whereby Christians started to experience such a persecution that some of them are being burned at the stake. There is one, even one particular emperor, that he would have all the Christians, if he would throw a party in his palace, he would have all the Christians tied in every post and lighted up to light up his party. As to whether what Paul here meant, give my body to be burned to sacrifice and to the point of being burned out in service, or literally to give your life to death, even to die for the faith. Paul here said, if these are done without charity, he said, it profited me nothing. Looking at the early history of the church, we know very well how the early believers have suffered. Many of them are burned, were burned at the stake. That we often think of them as, yes, they are great martyrs of the faith. And I am sure no one would doubt. And I am sure no one would doubt their so-called spiritual credentials of how they gave their life unto martyrdom. But please know that dying for the faith while they are indeed commendable they are not the true measure of one's spiritual condition. What is the true measure? Love. Consider for a moment verses from the scripture where love occurs and how it indeed emphasizes what it has accomplished. John 3 16, for God so loved the world and how did he express and prove his love? He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believe it in him should not perish but have everlasting life. It was all done out of love. Then John 15 verse 13. Greater love had no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. The pre-eminence. Romans chapter 5 and verse 8. But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Please understand as Paul here is trying to explain and making it clear to the Corinthian church that neither giving up of our possessions and goods nor being burned or even dying would produce spiritual benefit because Paul made it clear at the end of verse 3 it profited me nothing. The pre-eminence of charity, of giving, even of dying. Shortly after the reformation there is the particular branch of Christianity that has been so known for all those persecution of true believers. Those who have followed the reformers, those who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, in scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. They indeed have suffered much. And in such a suffering you can only think for yourself that they have been willing to go through all this even to die as but an expression of their affection and love for God. Of their affection and love for God. Even up to the last point and the point of death and dying, some of them were given the opportunity and the chance to recant their faith. And in recanting they will be spared from death and dying. And yet they chose to die. And that indeed something that you can think what agape love can accomplish. Remember last night, it buried all things, believe it all things, hope it all things, endure it all things. Yes, as we think of all that Paul here is saying, gifts, prophecies, knowledge, faith, benevolence, sacrifice, they are good. They are commendable, but as valuable and commendable as they are, apart from charity, they are but nothing. They are good, but apart from charity, apart from love, they are nothing. It is vain. It is useless. And sometimes we have the tendency to make great mistake of letting go of what is best for something else that we see as good. While these things are good, but they are not the best. And somehow we have the tendency to settle down. Oh, we have done this. We have done it in a very excellent way. Remember, even doing everything in the most excellent way, when it is done, when it is done, apart from charity, it is nothing. We are nothing. It profited me nothing. As the theme of this YPG conference says, the greatest of this is charity. Let us pray. Lord, thank you for teaching us and showing us in thy word how we ought to have a proper understanding, the proper attitude, and even how we should conduct ourselves in view of our walk, in view of our service, in relation to one another, being many members of one body. That while it is commendable that we covet earnestly for best gifts, we ought to go even further to cultivate the more excellent way that is of serving you with charity. Oh Lord, have mercy upon us, for we know very well of our shortcomings, of our limitations, even of our failure, oh Lord, to comprehend and grasp fully what thy word is telling us and what your will is for our lives. We pray that thou continue to teach us and instruct us in the following messages that we will consider and continue to bless our time together in fellowship one with another. Let there be an abundant display of charity and of love for one another, for it is but an expression of how indeed we love thee. All this we commit to you with thanksgiving, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. um so we'll