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.

Knowledge, Liberty, and Love

Temple Baptist Church - 10-29-2025

1 Corinthians 8:1–13

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The church at Corinth was a church rich in spiritual gifts, knowledge, and zeal. Yet, Paul had to correct them often because their knowledge was not always tempered by love. In this chapter, Paul addresses a very practical problem in the early church—whether Christians should eat meat that had been offered to idols.

 

B.  Sacrifices offered to idols often ended up with street vendors and were sold to the public as food. This was a common practice that caused some division among the Corinthian believers. Although these believers knew that the meat was simply meat, some bought it while others avoided doing so. It had become a problem within the Corinthian church.

 

C.  Paul addresses the problem both here in chapter eight and also in chapter ten.  In this chapter, we find three things addressed concerning the problem within the church.  The chapter is not about meat.  It is about knowledge, liberty, and charity. The question was not just about food—it was about conscience, testimony, and the proper use of Christian liberty.

D.  We face these same issues today. Too often, men's preferences turn into “convictions.” Many of the challenges we encounter are not directly addressed in the Bible, so we need to apply its principles correctly. Many of these so-called “convictions” quickly change for the individual when their circumstances change, making them preferences.  Over the years, I have found that preferences change with circumstances, but convictions do not. 

 

Illustration:  For years, Barbara and I chose not to support restaurants, grocery stores, etc., that sold alcohol.  There were places that did not sell it so we frequented them instead.  Today, everywhere you go — Walmart, Dollar General, Ingles, etc. — they sell it.  We buy at Walmart, Dollar General, and Ingles.  Some will disagree with me here, so, you do you. 

 

E.  Paul did not admonish these believers for going to places where this “idolatrous meat” was sold, nor did he admonish these believers not to buy it.  It was just meat.

 

F.  In this passage, Paul teaches that knowledge alone can puff up, but love builds up; and that our liberty in Christ must never become a stumbling block to others.

 

1.  Verses 1-3.  Knowledge Without Love Is Dangerous.

 

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” — 1 Corinthians 8:1

 

a. Knowledge can puff up!  The Corinthians pride themselves on their superior understanding.  They knew that an idol was nothing (verse 4), and therefore that eating such meat was not sinful in itself.

 

b.  Yet, their knowledge had made them proud rather than compassionate.  Knowledge without humility becomes arrogance; knowledge without love becomes cruelty.

 

c.  Charity edifies.  Brotherly Love always builds others up.  The goal of Christian maturity is not to win arguments, but to win people.  True knowledge should lead to compassion, not condemnation.

 

d.  True knowledge comes from loving God (verse 3).  “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”  The test of spiritual maturity is not how much we know about God, but how much we love God and His people.

 

2.  Verses 4-6.  The Reality of Christian Liberty.

 

“We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”

 

a. The truth about those idols was that they are powerless—they are mere objects, Paul called them “nothing in the world.”  The believer knows there is “one God, the Father... and one Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 6).

 

b. This knowledge brings about liberty.  A mature believer understands that food cannot commend or condemn him before God (verse 8).

 

Romans 14:17 says, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

 

c.  The limitations of liberty:  Therefore, a Christian has liberty to eat such things if it does not violate his conscience or harm his testimony.

 

3. Verses 7-12.  The Limitation of Christian Liberty.

 

“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”

 

a.  Not every believer has the same knowledge. (verse 7)  Some converts from paganism were still sensitive to anything associated with idols.  Though idols were nothing, their past experiences made eating such food feel wrong.  There is a huge difference between the person who never touched strong drink and the one who was saved from drunkenness.

 

b.  Liberty can become a stumbling block (verses 9–10)  If a stronger believer eats idol-meat publicly, the weaker believer might follow his example against his conscience.  Thus, the strong brother’s liberty leads another to spiritual harm.  A liberty exercised without love becomes sin.

 

c. Wounding a weak conscience is sin against Christ (verse 12)

 

“But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”

 

d.  Every believer is precious to Christ; therefore, we must handle each other with care.

 

4. Verse 13.  The Example of Love’s Self-Denial.

 

“Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”

 

a. Paul’s resolution.  Paul was willing to give up his liberty for the sake of a weaker brother.

 

b.  Love always chooses self-denial over self-indulgence.

 

c.  He does not say that eating meat is wrong, but that causing someone else to stumble is.

 

Conclusion: 

 

a.  Knowledge without love puffs up—but love builds up.

 

b.  Liberty without love tears down—but love edifies.

 

c.  Love limits liberty for the sake of others.

Let Brotherly Love Continue

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-7-2024

Hebrews 13:1

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Chapter 13 is the “capstone” of the Book of Hebrews. 

 

1.  As all Hebrew Christian Epistles, the Book of Hebrews is a transitional book. 

 

2.  By interpretation, the Book of Hebrews is written to the Jewish believer. 

 

1 Peter 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

 

3.  By application, the Book of Hebrews is written to every believer.

 

B.  It helped the Jewish believers transition:

 

1.  From the Old Covenant to the New Covenant

 

2.  From Law to Grace

 

3.  From Mount Saini to Mount Zion

 

4.  From “DO” to “Done”

 

5.  From Atonement to Propitiation

 

6.  From the Temple to the Local Church

 

7.  From the Levitical Priesthood to the Individual Priesthood of the Believer

 

8.  From the Mediation of Moses to the Mediation of Christ

 

9.  From Individualism to Corporatism. 

 

10.  From Abraham’s Bosom to Heaven

 

C.  Chapter 13 is all about the unity and innerworkings of the local church and the individual responsibilities within the body to each other, to the pastor, and to the church.   Paul begins this chapter with the “tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.”  The spiritual “glue” that holds together the individual pieces, believers, into a single piece, the local church.

 

Hebrews 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.  (Let or let not!  Let means to allow something to take place that would not naturally occur.)

 

1.  In order to continue in love, you must start in love. 

 

1 John 4:7-8  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.

 

1 John 5:1  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

 

a.  So many profession believers have no real desire to be close to those who possess salvation.  You can tell by their desire to assemble or lack thereof.  You can tell by their distancing or closeness.

 

b.  They come to church because they feel that they must to be right with God but have no love for the church nor its people.

 

c.  “Have you started right?” is a question that needs to be answered as eternity hinges on it.

 

D. Temple Baptist Church cannot have unity, nor can it survive without Christian love permeating its pews.  The Bible says so much about this love that must continue so, let’s let God define brotherly love for us.

 

John 13:34-35  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  (35)  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

 

John 15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

 

Acts 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

 

Acts 2:46-47  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  (47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

Acts 4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

 

Romans 12:9-10  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.  (10)  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

 

Galatians 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

 

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.

 

2 Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

 

1 Peter 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

 

1 Peter 3:8-9  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:  (9)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

 

1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

 

2 Peter 1:5-8  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  (6)  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  (7)  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  (8)  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1 John 2:7-10  Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.  (8)  Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.  (9)  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.  (10)  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

 

E.  Brotherly love is also found in the word charity. 

 

1 John 4:7-8, 12  (3) Beloved, let us love one another: (1) for love is of God; and (8)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love ...  (12)  No man hath seen God at any time. (2)  If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

 

1.  Brotherly love issues from God – “for love is of God”

 

2.  Brotherly love is instilled in the believer by God – “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

 

3.  Brotherly love must be maintained by the believer – “Beloved, let us love one another:”

 

F.  Brotherly love must be a universal love, a consistent love, an overlooking love, an equal love of the brethren. 

 

1.  Brotherly love has nothing to do with social status.

 

2.  Brotherly love has nothing to do with financial clout.

 

3.  Brotherly love has nothing to do with ethnicity.

 

4.  Brotherly love has nothing to do with gender.

 

5.  Brotherly love has nothing to do with faithfulness.

 

6.  Brotherly love is uniform from the pulpit to the pew.  From the pew to the pulpit.  From the back pew to the front pew. 

 

G.  1 Corinthians gives a Biblical definition of Charity or Brotherly Love.  I will not take the time to do a verse by verse exposition of chapter 13 but will give you the gist of it.  Brotherly love is the binding love of the brethren.  It is what holds the local church together. 

 

1.  Charity is longsuffering.

 

2.  Charity is kind.

 

3.  Charity is unselfish.

 

4.  Charity behaves itself.

 

5.  Charity is overlooking.

 

6.  Charity hates evil but not the sinner.

 

7.  Charity loves in truth.

 

H.  Brotherly love is an unfailing love.  Times change but biblical charity endures.

 

1.  In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, Paul names three remaining gifts: faith, hope and charity.

 

1 Corinthians 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

 

2.  The greatest of the three remaining gifts is charity: brotherly love.  Our faith and our hope are anchored in the greatest of the three, Charity.

 

3.  Over these past 37 years, we have had a multitude of people come THROUGH our church.  We were not what they were looking for!  Our church has endured a lot of things: trials, division, etc.  BUT our church has endured because of its love for Christ and love for one another!

 

4.  “LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE!”  I do not know what the future holds for Temple Baptist Church, but I do know that our love for Christ and each other will carry us through whatever comes our way.

 

a)  Let means that brotherly love may or may not continue.  Think about it.

 

b)  Let means that we, each one of us, has control of brotherly love’s continuance.

 

c)  A lack of unity or division is an enemy of brotherly love’s continuance so each of us has a job to do.

 

1 Peter 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: