The Charity That Binds

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-13-2026

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

 

Introduction:

A.  Over the past few weeks, we have been dealing with the spiritual gifts that the Lord gave to both individuals and the local church.  In the three lists of spiritual gifts, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4, we find that, biblically, there were given sign gifts, which were passing gifts given until the completion of the scriptures, and permanent gifts that were to be used within the local churches, along with the completed scriptures.

 

1.  All three of these chapters that deal with spiritual gifts are an open rebuke! 

 

2.  Chapter 12 rebukes them for choosing the least (last mentioned gift of tongues) of all gifts, which tend to glorify the individual, and encourages them to choose the best gifts (service gifts), which are all about others.

 

3.  Paul uses the words “earnestly covet” in chapter 12 because they were coveting the least of the sign gifts that glorified themselves rather than the service gifts that glorified God and others. Covet and covetousness are used 41 times in your Bible, and the First Mention, the Last Mention, and almost all of those in between are used in a negative spiritual light!

 

1 Corinthians 12:31  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

 

4.  Chapter 14 sets the rules for the gift of tongues because of the Corinthians' misuse of them.

 

B.  2,000 years ago, certain of the passing gifts brought self-glory, confusion, and division within the Corinthian church.  This carnal church was the only one mentioned by the Holy Spirit in the Bible that had such division. 

 

1.  Elevation of individual sign gifts brought about pride in self.  The same happens today with pseudo-spiritual gifts.  They are saved, but we are not.  They are filled with the Holy Ghost, but we are not.

 

2.  Elevation of individual sign gifts brought about confusion within the body of Christ.  Now, instead of the sign gifts being given to certain individuals, they are given only to certain denominations.

 

3.  Dividing and classification within the body of Christ, which brings about confusion and contention.  God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace within the Church.

 

C.  The middle chapter concerning spiritual gifts gives the recipe for unity in the Corinthian church.  A refocusing upon the things that unite instead of divide, along with gifts that will remain instead of those that are passing.  Christian charity that binds, rather than passing gifts that divide.

 

D.  The meaning of Charity.  Many of the new perversions called “bibles” have changed the word to “love.”  This is a cardinal mistake!  The word “love” is an “umbrella” that covers many kinds of love.  Charity is a peculiar love.  It is the love of the brotherhood. 

 

1 Thessalonians 4:9  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

 

1.  Many churches are measured by their highly educated, articulate preachers. Make a beautiful, articulate speech, impress the people, but—without charity—your message is just another hollow sound.

 

2.  Many churches are measured by their social standing.  Have all the doctors, lawyers, etc. that you want and be “nothing.”  A local church is not a social club.

 

3.  Many churches are measured by their beautiful buildings.  When I was stationed in Germany, I saw the beautiful architecture of 500-plus-year-old churches that are now just that, beautiful architecture.  A local church is not an ornate building but a “called out assembly of saints” to worship.

 

4.  Many churches are measured by the size of their membership.  The Bible is clear on the direction of the “many” and the “few.”  Most of the time, many are headed in the wrong direction because they are popular with this world.  A local church is measured in quality, not quantity.

 

E.  You can have all of these things and become a “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” and be “nothing” in the sight of God. 

 

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

 

1 John 4:7-12  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  (8)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.  (9)  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  (11)  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  (12)  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

 

1.  Charity must be a universal love of the brethren.  Verses 1-3.  It loves all and loves all equally.

 

a.  Charity has nothing to do with social status.

 

b.  Charity has nothing to do with financial clout.

 

c.  Charity has nothing to do with ethnicity.

 

d.  Charity has nothing to do with gender.

 

e.  Charity has nothing to do with faithfulness.

 

e.  Charity is equal from the pulpit to the pew.  From the pew to the pulpit.  From the back pew to the front pew. 

 

2.  Charity supersedes the passing, charismatic gifts of chapter 12.  The Corinthians could have these spiritual gifts and continue to be a “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”  Simply stated, hollow and meaningless.  With that said, let us look at the best definition of charity, which is found in 1 Corinthians 13, with the Word of God giving it these characteristics:

 

3.  Charity is a binding love of the brethren.  Verses 4-7.  It is what holds the local church together.

 

a.  Charity Suffers Long – “Charity suffereth long” 

 

b.  Charity Is Kind – “and is kind”

 

c.  Charity Is Happiness For Others - “charity envieth not”

 

d.  Charity Puts Others First – “charity vaunteth not itself”

 

e.  Charity Has A Proper Opinion Of Self – “is not puffed up”

 

f.  Charity Behaves – “Doth not behave itself unseemly”

 

g.  Charity Does Not Get Mad – “is not easily provoked”

 

h.  Charity Gives The Benefit Of The Doubt – “thinketh no evil”

 

i.  Charity Is Broken Hearted Over Sin – “Rejoiceth not in iniquity”

 

j.  Charity Loves Right – “but rejoiceth in the truth”

 

k.  Charity Is Forbearing – “Beareth all things”

 

l.  Charity Hopes For The Best – “hopeth all things”

 

m.  Charity Remains Constant – “endureth all things”

 

n.  Charity Never Fails – “Charity never faileth”

 

o.  Charity trumps all things – “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity”

 

4.  The three gifts remaining that unite instead of divide: 1 Corinthians 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.