If I don't Have Love, I Am Nothing

Pastor Joaquin

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. 

The church was filled with talented and gifted people. Spiritual gifts were in abundance. Countless new converts were being made. By today's metrics, they would be a church to copy and look up to. But they were failing where it mattered most

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Learn it

Meditate on it

Memorize it

Live it

Revelations 2:1-4

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 

2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Lost your first love

It’s not reciprocated 

One sided

Been loving so long but no change

Feels like they are taking advantage 

Losing faith and hope

He was just 11 years old, but when doctors told him he was the only bone marrow match for his seriously ill father, he decided to do whatever it took to save him. There was only one problem, Lu Zikuan, from Henan, China, only weighed 30 kg but doctors said he needed to weigh 99 kg to safely donate. 

So, Lu started eating 5 meals a day. For months he ate all he could and gained 33 pounds. The transplant happened and an exhausted 11-year-old told his father, “My task is complete, so now it’s up to you.” 11 years old. 5 meals a day. 33 kg gained. One son determined to give his dad another chance at life. 

Love changes everything

1 John 3:16-18

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Spend quiet time with God and ask

How am I doing at love?

Who am I not loving well?

How is my love for you?

What is stopping me from 

Loving more?

Matthew 26:26-30

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.