January 14, 2007

Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:1

Sermon Title: Love Is Not A Cymbal

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INTRODUCTION:

Lost In The Translation (1)

Two diners at a very swanky eatery were shocked to see on the menu a dish of "hickory-smoked possum jowls in pancake syrup." They summoned a waiter to complain.

Their waiters looked at the menu. Then he threw it down and yelled to the owner in the kitchen, "Hey, the printers forgot to translate the menu into French again!"

  1. Confusing, isn't it?

    1. Does the same confusion exist in our understanding of the way?

    2. There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death (or the ways of death), (Proverbs 14:12, NRSVA).

      1. This may be his easily besetting sin, the sin of his constitution, the sin of his trade.

      2. Or it may be his own false views of religion: he may have an imperfect repentance, a false faith, a very false creed; and he may persuade himself that he is in the direct way to heaven.

      3. Ralph Carmichael wrote a song which he titled, "A Life worth Living."

I rushed at life with hopes all burning,
Along a road that had no turning.
My selfish dreams had so inspired me,
I could not see the folly of my way.

I reached one goal and then another,
Alas, but only to discover
That true fulfillment had escaped me,
And earthly treasures lasted but a day.

    1. Jesus talked about the way using the illustration of a road.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it, (Matthew 7:13 through Matthew 7:14, NRSVA).

      1. In Jesus mind there are only two ways.

      2. In humanities minds there are many ways.

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MAIN BODY:

  1. In the mind of the Apostle Paul there is a way and there is a way.

    1. One in inferior to the other.

    2. One is superior to all others.

    3. This Paul calls the more excellent way.

  2. Let Me Show You A More Excellent Way

    1. Are we satisfied with the way we have?

    2. Do we believe that the way we are using is constructive?

    3. Do we believe that the way will lead us to an improvement in the quality of our lives?

    4. Will the way lead to solutions for the social problems plaguing culture and society?

    5. Do we want a more excellent way.

      1. It may be more difficult

      2. It may be more frustrating

      3. It requires more from us than perhaps we are willing to give.

      4. It may not change the world, but it will certainly change us.

      5. The more excellent way is the Way of Love!

  3. The Way is the Way of Love

    1. We must understand that without love there can be and will be no life.

      1. It is only love that keeps us from destroying each other.

      2. It is only love for each other that prevents us from destroying our environment.

    2. We also need to understand the limitations of both law and love.

      1. The Limitations of Law

        1. We can pass stricter laws.

        2. We can impose stiffer sentences.

        3. We can build more and more secure prisons.

        4. Law has it's limitations.

      2. The Limitations of Love

        1. Love cannot be demanded.

        2. Love cannot be commanded

        3. Love is an elective

          1. Human beings have the option of choosing love over other available resources.

          2. Choosing love means rejecting revenge or retaliation, or violence.

            1. It does not rule out defending yourself, or your family, or your country.

            2. Romans 12:19-21:

              1. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves of God; for it is written, 'Vengeance Lord.'

              2. No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.'

            3. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

        4. You cannot overcome evil with force.

        5. You may contain evil with force, but you will not overcome it.

        6. To overcome means to vanquish it.

        7. Then, it depends on what you call love.

    3. Who will teach us to love?

      1. Who will define love.

        1. Human Sources

          1. An episode (2) of "The Twilight Zone" was set in a futuristic world where a man had been convicted of the crime of "coldness."

          2. He had been insensitive and unsociable to the people around him.

          3. For this he was sentenced to one year of "invisibility."

            1. He was to be ostracized and ignored by his fellow citizens.

            2. A mark was placed on his forehead indicating that no one was to talk or interact with him.

          4. At first he thought his punishment laughable.

            1. He took advantage of it by walking into stores and restaurants to take whatever he wanted.

          5. However, in time he became increasingly desperate for companionship, affection and conversation.

          6. One evening he came upon a young woman who had also been condemned to "invisibility."

          7. When he begged her simply to recognize and talk to him, she fled in fright.

          8. For long months the man languished in the agony of isolation until his sentence finally came to an end.

            1. The experience transformed him.

            2. He was warmer, more considerate and caring.

          9. But soon his new, more loving self was tested in an unexpected way.

            1. One day he ran into the woman he had begged to talk with him months earlier.

            2. She was still serving her sentence, and now she was the desperate one.

            3. She sobbed and pleaded with him to look at her and say something.

            4. When he pushed by her and kept walking she crumbled to the ground weeping.

              1. "You're so cold! You're so cold!"

          10. Feelings of compassion welled up within him.

            1. He turned, knelt down and wrapped his arms about her.

            2. Seeing this, the other people on the street began moving away from them.

            3. Warning devices began blaring,

              1. "Unacceptable behavior ...Unacceptable behavior."

          11. The man's love had gone beyond the limits deemed appropriate by his society.

          12. Previously condemned for being cold, he now was condemned for being unacceptable loving.

        2. What other human sources seek to, or usurp the prerogatives of, defining love?

          1. What sources do we have?

            1. Novels

            2. Television

            3. Media

            4. Professional groups

            5. Educational groups

          2. Love is defined as inclusion, acceptance, avoidance of harm through words or actions.

            1. This is based more on self-interest, than it is on interest in the other.

            2. It is a way of avoiding the penalty attached to the failure to follow the rules.

          3. All of these methods are partially or completely inadequate.

      2. Someone has said that:

        1. Love cannot be defined it can only be described.

      3. Divine Sources

        1. Love is most completely described by God.

        2. That is why Jesus taught not law, but love.

          1. Every instruction, every example, every action demonstrates love.

          2. He does nothing unloving.

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  1. This is why love is the prime.

    1. If I speak with the tongues of mortals and of angels.

    2. Becoming a linguist.

      1. Knew a person who spoke 15 languages

        1. Had a nodding acquaintance with 12 more.

        2. Could translate ancient secular writings.

        3. Could translate all the subtle nuances of the biblical languages.

        4. He was a poor person.

    3. Becoming a spokesperson for God.

      1. Speaking in tongues, the language of God.

        1. Being able,. before people, to stand in the place of God

        2. Being able to preach the finest, most spell-binding sermons.

      2. Having charisma.

        1. It is a source of great power.

        2. The power of persuasion.

      3. The recognition of the power of persuasion.

        1. Receiving the accolades of other human beings.

  2. If I Have Not Love, What Am I?

    1. A noisy gong.

    2. A clanging cymbal.

      1. Why didn't he use a wind or stringed instrument?

      2. At least that would allow some variation.

    3. He wanted us to know how limiting the lack of love can be.

    4. Gongs and Cymbals are musical Instruments, to make a loud single note noise.

      1. An oriental gong

        1. Large round piece of brass that is stuck with a large hammer.

      2. Finger cymbals are used by dancers to keep time or to provide background sounds.

        1. They are still one note instruments.

    5. People without love are loud, single note people.

      1. Frankie Lane, in the 60's sang of Johnny One Note.

        1. Poor Johnny One Note

        2. When he first was heard, he was acclaimed.

          1. What tonality.

          2. What quality of voice.

        3. Then his limitations were recognized.

        4. He was ignored.

      2. So it is with loud, single-note people.

    6. These types of people are described as being a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

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CONCLUSION:

  1. God wants us to be quiet, multi-faceted people capable of being able to not only know love, but also to demonstrate love.

    1. The world needs more than talk.

      1. It needs a demonstration of love.

      2. Where is it going to find it?

    2. Certainly, among those who have learned to love.

Amen!

1. You Make Me Laugh [You_Make_Me_Laugh@crosswalkmail.com]

2. The Christian Ministry, 7-8-91.

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