Love - Lesson 11: Love Never Fails

Love

Lesson 11: Love Never Fails

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

1 Timothy 1:5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith;

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

In the previous lessons, we have considered love's importance and what love lived out looks like (and doesn't look like). Now we will consider love's greatness.

Love is great. We will limit such a grand subject to three main thoughts. Love never fails. Love is the goal. The greatest of the greats is love.

Love never fails. Love never becomes unnecessary or useless. It is never set aside as no longer part of God's plan and kingdom. God has given many good things to his people, such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and knowledge. These things will end or be done away with one day. Love never fails. When God's people no longer need prophecy to help and encourage us on the way, we will and must still walk in love.

Love is the goal. Love is the aim or end to which we are heading. Many other good things help us along the way, but they are not the goal. They help us to reach the goal. The apostle Paul wrote that the goal of the instruction or command is love.

Examples of the goal and things that help us reach the goal. Training wheels on a bike help a child learn to ride, but they are not the goal. The goal is to ride with only two wheels. Though training wheels are helpful, one day they will be removed and set aside, and never used again. Prophecy, casting out demons and mighty works are good things, but they are not the goal. They can help men to reach the goal (which is love), but they themselves are not the goal. Many will come to Jesus on the judgment, men who have prophesied, cast out demons, and done mighty works in his name. They will be cast away from his presence because while they possessed these things, they did not have the goal. They held onto sin instead of loving God and loving their neighbor.

The greatest of the greats is love. Faith, hope and love are the greats. Among God's people and among various parts of the church you may find prophecy, or speaking in tongues, or knowledge. You may find mighty works done in this place and in that among the children of God. However, in the heart of every Christian, in every part of Christ's body, the church, you should find faith, hope and love. Now faith, hope and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Let us learn and be diligent to pursue love, to put on love, to walk in love.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about the greatness of love. The greatness of love is the focus of this lesson.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. Help the children to understand that love is the goal while other things help us to that goal. Use the example of training wheels on a bicycle. Ask the children if any of them used training wheels. Do they still use them? If they don't, ask them why not. (Because you are supposed to ride the bike without training wheels.) Help them to see that just like riding the bike with two wheels is the goal, so love (loving our neighbor) is the goal. Other things, like prophecy and knowledge, can help us reach that goal, but they are not the goal. Love is.

Read the story in Mark 12:28-34. Ask the children questions related to this story. What did Jesus say was the greatest commandment? (Love God and love your neighbor.) What did the scribe say after Jesus said this? (To love God and to love your neighbor is more important that all sacrifices.) Did Jesus agree with this? (Yes.)

Ask the children one last question. We have learned many things in all the lessons that we have had. If you had to pick the most important thing to learn about and obey, what would it be? (Love: love God and love your neighbor as yourself.)

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps asking God's help to see how important and great love is, and to learn to pursue love), and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

Mark 12:28-34 [28] One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” [29] Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: [30] you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. [31] The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” [32] The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, [33] and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” [34] When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” No one dared ask him any question after that.

More Stories and Examples:

Luke 10:25-28 [25] Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [26] He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” [27] He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” [28] He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

Illustrations of love being the goal and other things being a temporary help to that goal:

Training wheels on a bike – They are helpful when learning, but you do not use them forever. They are not the goal. The goal is to ride with two wheels.

Baby talk – It is good when a baby starts to babble and talk baby talk. This is the path to the goal. However, the goal is to speak normally.

Baby mobile for crib – They are good for babies. They are entertaining, and perhaps even useful in helping them improve sight and coordination. They are not the goal. Eventually you grow up. I do not know any adults who have a mobile above their bed.

Sacrifices in the Old Testament – They are not the goal. They are many good and wonderful things, including a picture of Jesus' complete and final sacrifice. The sacrifices were not the goal. They were given to help us on toward the goal, which is love. Hence, Jesus confirmed the words of the scribe who said that to love God and to love your neighbor is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Miracles, mighty works, prophecy – They can be helpful, but they are not the goal. Many who perform them will be cast out of the presence of Jesus, because they did not have the goal, love.

Knowledge – It can be very helpful, but the goal is love. Knowledge without goal of love is worthless to possessor. If fact, without love, knowledge can do the opposite by puffing up in pride the one with knowledge.

Other Verses:

THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE

Leviticus 19:18 “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.

Leviticus 19:33-34 [33] “‘If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. [34] The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.

Matthew 22:34-40 [34] But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. [35] One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Mark 12:28-34 [28] One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” [29] Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: [30] you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. [31] The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” [32] The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, [33] and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” [34] When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” No one dared ask him any question after that.

Luke 10:25-37 [25] Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [26] He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” [27] He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” [28] He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” [29] But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” [30] Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. [31] By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, [34] came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ [36] Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” [37] He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 11:42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

John 13:34-35 [34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

It is nothing else and nothing less than a practical love for one another that is the defining mark of Jesus' disciples.

Romans 13:8-10 [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 [13] Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! [14] Let all that you do be done in love.

Galatians 5:13-14 [13] For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Colossians 3:12-14 [12] Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

1 Timothy 1:5-6 [5] but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; [6] from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking;

James 2:8 However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.

1 Peter 4:7-8 [7] But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. [8] And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

2 Peter 1:5-11 [5] Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; [6] and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness; [7] and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. [8] For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. [10] Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. [11] For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:7-12 [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. [9] By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

1 John 4:21 This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

2 John 1:4-6 [4] I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father. [5] Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. [6] This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

LOVE LIKE GOD LOVES

Matthew 5:43-48 [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? [47] If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? [48] Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.