Sermon Tone Analysis

The Greatest of These is Love

Have students to talk about what love is and give some examples

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal

Without love, Paul insists, no quality, however spectacular, whether it is an endowment of spiritual gifts or religious zeal, is of any value (13:1–3).

This includes being able to speak in the tongues of men and of angels.

Unless this spectacular ability to speak in known and unknown languages, earthly and heavenly, is accompanied by selfless, self-sacrificial love, it is worth no more than the boom of a gong or the clang of a cymbal (13:1).

Gongs and cymbals were used in pagan worship, and so Paul may be saying that without love, tongues are no better than pagan worship.

The most marvelous eloquence without love is nothing in the world but a noisy bell.

Dr. Scroggie says it like this: “Language without love is noise without melody.”

“McGee says it like this: “Chatter without charity is sound without soul.”

“Love gives meaning and depth and reality, and it makes eloquence meaningful.”

(J Vernon McGee)

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.

(J Vernon McGee)

The same applies to the gift of prophecy and to understanding all mysteries, and all knowledge as well as the gifts of faith that can move mountains (a common proverbial phrase used to describe a faith that overcomes great difficulties and accomplishes amazing things) (13:2)

The first verse was speaking of love as it comes from the heart.

This is from the mind, love as an act of the intellect.

Knowledge alone is not sufficient.

Love must be added to that knowledge.

Understanding alone is not enough.

Love must be added to that understanding.

There is a knowledge of the Bible and an understanding of the truths of the Bible but a lack of love.

How terrible to find churches filled with gossip, bitterness, and hatred!

Along with knowledge there must be love.

There is a knowledge of the Bible and an understanding of the truths of the Bible but a lack of love.

How terrible to find churches filled with gossip, bitterness, and hatred!

Along with knowledge there must be love.

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.

13:3 If the apostle gave all his goods to feed the poor, or even gave his body to be burned, these valiant acts would not profit him unless they were done in a spirit of love.

If he were merely trying to attract attention to himself and seek a name for himself, then his display of virtue would be valueless.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

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The Holy Spirit fills believers with the love of God

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The Holy Spirit enables believers to live with one another in love

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The gift of the Holy Spirit results in practical love

Love is essential in the exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit

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