February 26, 2024 • 10 mins
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
To set the scene for this series, we will look at this definition of love given in this letter of Paul’s. As this series is meant to help people understand how better to love like Jesus, we will practice the “Replace the word love with your name” practice of this passage. That will help us know what kind of work we need to do to love better.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Matt Nelson (00:04):
Welcome to the Sermon podcast from First United Methodist
Church in downtown Bentonville.
If you have questions related to whatyou hear today or just want to find
out more about the ministries at FirstUnited Methodist Church, please visit us
online at FUMCbentonville.org or checkus out on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Michelle Amos (00:25):
Good evening.
I'm so glad to be with youhere for Ash Wednesday.
I'm Michelle Amos.
I'm a member of this church and in thecandidacy process for local licensed
pastor and will begin seminary nextfall on my journey for elder in full
connection with the Arkansas Conferenceof the United Methodist Church.
As we enter this season of Lent, ifyou haven't had a chance to do so
(00:49):
this week, please take a deep breath
and just exhale.
Just let your shouldersrelax, your jaw relax.
This week may have started joyously.
Maybe stressfully, frantically.
So let's just take this timeto take another deep breath.
(01:13):
And exhale.
And know that you are safe in this place.
You are held by the one who gives life.
And you are beloved by the author of love.
And you, my friend, areworthy of this love.
So our scripture is 1stCorinthians 13:4 through 8.
(01:38):
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It isn't jealous.
It doesn't brag.
It isn't arrogant.
It isn't rude.
It doesn't seek its own advantage.
It isn't irritable.
It doesn't keep a record of complaints.
It isn't happy with injustice,but it is happy with the truth.
(02:02):
Love puts up with all things.
Trust in all things, hopes for allthings, and endures all things.
Love never fails.
This is the word of Godfor the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Let's open with prayer, God.
(02:23):
Thank you for this time of reflection,as we consider the mystery of our
faith, and the love you have shown us.
Open our hearts and mindsto your word this day.
Thank you for the beautiful exampleof your love through Jesus Christ.
May we be that love toeach other and the world.
(02:45):
Amen.
So, if I were to ask you, what is love,I would get many, many different answers.
Some would speak oftheir romantic partner.
Others would talk about theirparents or grandparents.
Some would brag about theirchildren or grandchildren.
And others might talk aboutclose friends or pets.
(03:08):
Some people may even shareabout their career or the place
that they especially love.
If you were to ask me, I would sayI love my family, I love the Pacific
Northwest, and I love kayaking.
There's no wrong answer to thequestion, but today I want to share
with you a love story of a personwho gave love unconditionally.
(03:33):
There was a man who dated ayounger woman with three children.
A twelve year old girl andtwo boys ages nine and seven.
His name is Gerald.
And he never married nor had children,but loved this woman's children.
And he and the woman, they onlydated for a couple of months.
(03:56):
But because he loved thesechildren, she agreed he could
take them to dinner once a week.
They usually went to the Chinese placein their small town for the buffet.
She partly agreed because sheworked really hard for minimum wage.
And a free meal for thekids was very welcome.
For the next 5 years, Gerald kept thatcommitment to take them for dinner.
(04:20):
The children came to dependon him, especially the girl.
Gerald often showed up at thetrailer they lived in with
groceries when food was scarce.
And the girl began to ask him formoney for school trips, church camp,
and other things that she wanted.
She often needed to be picked upafter school activities in church
(04:43):
when her mother was working or out.
And he never failed to be there.
In fact, she even called himat work a few times a week when
she accidentally missed the bus.
Yeah.
He always came.
He never scolded nor complained.
And when she began to drive, shewould drop by his house on the way
(05:05):
to school to pick up quarters out ofthe bowl he had on the coffee table
for her and her brother's lunch.
The bowl never ran out of quarters.
She took him for granted.
And rarely gave back and then she turned17 and had to move to another state
to live with her father And slowlylost contact with him over the years
(05:28):
after she married And then when shedid go to look for him She found that
he had died and that girl was me andwe called Gerald papa and he literally
saved my life He was the only personI could depend on and I never saw the
sacrifices he made he gave unconditionallove to strangers This man never went
(05:56):
to church, smelled like sweet tobacco,
and loved like Jesus.
Jesus said in John 15:13, noone has greater love than to
give up one's life for a friend.
And Papa gave up every Thursdaynight, some weekday mornings and
evenings, some weekend time, andmoney to children who had no one.
(06:20):
And I'm sure some of his friends thoughthim to be foolish to give so much to
strangers who did not appreciate him.
So let's go back to 1stCorinthians 4 through 8.
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It isn't jealous.
It doesn't brag.
(06:42):
It isn't arrogant.
It isn't rude.
It doesn't seek its own advantage.
It isn't irritable.
It doesn't keep a record of complaints.
It isn't happy with injustice.
But it is happy with truth andlove puts up with all things, trust
all things, hopes for all things,endures all things, love never fails.
(07:07):
I hope you know that kind of love.
Perhaps you grew up in a lovinghome and experienced that from
your parents or grandparents.
Perhaps you're like me and grewup in a home with abuse and mental
illness and experienced it fromsomeone outside of your family.
And perhaps You have neverexperienced that from anyone.
(07:29):
Though wherever you are, in whatever yoursituation, please know you are loved.
The Creator loves you.
And my friends, you areworthy of that love.
You are worthy because youare human, wonderfully made.
In the image of our creator, you do nothave to do anything to earn that love.
(07:54):
So as we think about God's love,let's create an affirmation from
1 Corinthians 13, 4 through 8.
Scientific research demonstrates manybenefits from positive affirmations.
Scientists discovered when people writeand say self affirmations, they tend
to make positive, healthy life choices.
(08:15):
In fact, research demonstratesthat regular practice of positive
affirmations contribute to improvedmental health, and they can even reduce
symptoms of anxiety and depression.
So for the next 40 days, let's commit tosaying 1 through 8 as a daily affirmation.
I'm reading from the common EnglishBible, but please use whatever
(08:38):
translation you like and replace loveand love's pronouns with your name.
So, my affirmation sounds like this.
Michelle is patient.
Michelle is kind.
Michelle isn't jealous.
Michelle doesn't brag.
Michelle isn't arrogant.
Michelle isn't rude.
(08:59):
Michelle doesn't seek her own advantage.
Michelle isn't irritable.
Michelle doesn't keepa record of complaints.
Michelle isn't happy with injustice,but Michelle is happy with the truth.
Michelle puts up with all things,
trusts in all things, hopesfor all things, endures all
things, and Michelle never fails.
(09:20):
Am I all those things, all the time?
Don't look at my husband...
No, but I want to be, and that's thepoint of saying an affirmation, is to
say the things you want to be, and watchthat come to fruition in your life.
Thanks for listening to the sermonpodcast from First United Methodist
(09:43):
Church in downtown Bentonville.
If you would like to let us know you werehere, follow the link below to connect.
To participate in worshipthrough giving, you can give
online at FUMCbentonville.org,Or on Venmo @fumcbentonville.
FUMC Bentonville welcomes all.
Because we believe the communiontable is God's table, we invite
(10:04):
everyone into our church family.
We welcome and celebrate every race,gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, physicaland mental ability, national origin,
economic station, and political ideology.
We come together in action andoutreach, aspiring to follow Jesus'
example of radical hospitality.
(10:27):
and grace as a transformativemovement in our community.
Please join us for worship on Sundaymornings at nine and 11am both
in person and on Facebook live.
All are welcome and we'dlove to have you with us.
Grace and peace.
Welcome to the Sermon podcast from First United Methodist
Church in downtown Bentonville.
If you have questions related to whatyou hear today or just want to find
out more about the ministries at FirstUnited Methodist Church, please visit us
online at FUMCbentonville.org or checkus out on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Michelle Amos (00:25):
Good evening.
I'm so glad to be with youhere for Ash Wednesday.
I'm Michelle Amos.
I'm a member of this church and in thecandidacy process for local licensed
pastor and will begin seminary nextfall on my journey for elder in full
connection with the Arkansas Conferenceof the United Methodist Church.
As we enter this season of Lent, ifyou haven't had a chance to do so
(00:49):
this week, please take a deep breath
and just exhale.
Just let your shouldersrelax, your jaw relax.
This week may have started joyously.
Maybe stressfully, frantically.
So let's just take this timeto take another deep breath.
(01:13):
And exhale.
And know that you are safe in this place.
You are held by the one who gives life.
And you are beloved by the author of love.
And you, my friend, areworthy of this love.
So our scripture is 1stCorinthians 13:4 through 8.
(01:38):
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It isn't jealous.
It doesn't brag.
It isn't arrogant.
It isn't rude.
It doesn't seek its own advantage.
It isn't irritable.
It doesn't keep a record of complaints.
It isn't happy with injustice,but it is happy with the truth.
(02:02):
Love puts up with all things.
Trust in all things, hopes for allthings, and endures all things.
Love never fails.
This is the word of Godfor the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Let's open with prayer, God.
(02:23):
Thank you for this time of reflection,as we consider the mystery of our
faith, and the love you have shown us.
Open our hearts and mindsto your word this day.
Thank you for the beautiful exampleof your love through Jesus Christ.
May we be that love toeach other and the world.
(02:45):
Amen.
So, if I were to ask you, what is love,I would get many, many different answers.
Some would speak oftheir romantic partner.
Others would talk about theirparents or grandparents.
Some would brag about theirchildren or grandchildren.
And others might talk aboutclose friends or pets.
(03:08):
Some people may even shareabout their career or the place
that they especially love.
If you were to ask me, I would sayI love my family, I love the Pacific
Northwest, and I love kayaking.
There's no wrong answer to thequestion, but today I want to share
with you a love story of a personwho gave love unconditionally.
(03:33):
There was a man who dated ayounger woman with three children.
A twelve year old girl andtwo boys ages nine and seven.
His name is Gerald.
And he never married nor had children,but loved this woman's children.
And he and the woman, they onlydated for a couple of months.
(03:56):
But because he loved thesechildren, she agreed he could
take them to dinner once a week.
They usually went to the Chinese placein their small town for the buffet.
She partly agreed because sheworked really hard for minimum wage.
And a free meal for thekids was very welcome.
For the next 5 years, Gerald kept thatcommitment to take them for dinner.
(04:20):
The children came to dependon him, especially the girl.
Gerald often showed up at thetrailer they lived in with
groceries when food was scarce.
And the girl began to ask him formoney for school trips, church camp,
and other things that she wanted.
She often needed to be picked upafter school activities in church
(04:43):
when her mother was working or out.
And he never failed to be there.
In fact, she even called himat work a few times a week when
she accidentally missed the bus.
Yeah.
He always came.
He never scolded nor complained.
And when she began to drive, shewould drop by his house on the way
(05:05):
to school to pick up quarters out ofthe bowl he had on the coffee table
for her and her brother's lunch.
The bowl never ran out of quarters.
She took him for granted.
And rarely gave back and then she turned17 and had to move to another state
to live with her father And slowlylost contact with him over the years
(05:28):
after she married And then when shedid go to look for him She found that
he had died and that girl was me andwe called Gerald papa and he literally
saved my life He was the only personI could depend on and I never saw the
sacrifices he made he gave unconditionallove to strangers This man never went
(05:56):
to church, smelled like sweet tobacco,
and loved like Jesus.
Jesus said in John 15:13, noone has greater love than to
give up one's life for a friend.
And Papa gave up every Thursdaynight, some weekday mornings and
evenings, some weekend time, andmoney to children who had no one.
(06:20):
And I'm sure some of his friends thoughthim to be foolish to give so much to
strangers who did not appreciate him.
So let's go back to 1stCorinthians 4 through 8.
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It isn't jealous.
It doesn't brag.
(06:42):
It isn't arrogant.
It isn't rude.
It doesn't seek its own advantage.
It isn't irritable.
It doesn't keep a record of complaints.
It isn't happy with injustice.
But it is happy with truth andlove puts up with all things, trust
all things, hopes for all things,endures all things, love never fails.
(07:07):
I hope you know that kind of love.
Perhaps you grew up in a lovinghome and experienced that from
your parents or grandparents.
Perhaps you're like me and grewup in a home with abuse and mental
illness and experienced it fromsomeone outside of your family.
And perhaps You have neverexperienced that from anyone.
(07:29):
Though wherever you are, in whatever yoursituation, please know you are loved.
The Creator loves you.
And my friends, you areworthy of that love.
You are worthy because youare human, wonderfully made.
In the image of our creator, you do nothave to do anything to earn that love.
(07:54):
So as we think about God's love,let's create an affirmation from
1 Corinthians 13, 4 through 8.
Scientific research demonstrates manybenefits from positive affirmations.
Scientists discovered when people writeand say self affirmations, they tend
to make positive, healthy life choices.
(08:15):
In fact, research demonstratesthat regular practice of positive
affirmations contribute to improvedmental health, and they can even reduce
symptoms of anxiety and depression.
So for the next 40 days, let's commit tosaying 1 through 8 as a daily affirmation.
I'm reading from the common EnglishBible, but please use whatever
(08:38):
translation you like and replace loveand love's pronouns with your name.
So, my affirmation sounds like this.
Michelle is patient.
Michelle is kind.
Michelle isn't jealous.
Michelle doesn't brag.
Michelle isn't arrogant.
Michelle isn't rude.
(08:59):
Michelle doesn't seek her own advantage.
Michelle isn't irritable.
Michelle doesn't keepa record of complaints.
Michelle isn't happy with injustice,but Michelle is happy with the truth.
Michelle puts up with all things,
trusts in all things, hopesfor all things, endures all
things, and Michelle never fails.
(09:20):
Am I all those things, all the time?
Don't look at my husband...
No, but I want to be, and that's thepoint of saying an affirmation, is to
say the things you want to be, and watchthat come to fruition in your life.
Thanks for listening to the sermonpodcast from First United Methodist
(09:43):
Church in downtown Bentonville.
If you would like to let us know you werehere, follow the link below to connect.
To participate in worshipthrough giving, you can give
online at FUMCbentonville.org,Or on Venmo @fumcbentonville.
FUMC Bentonville welcomes all.
Because we believe the communiontable is God's table, we invite
(10:04):
everyone into our church family.
We welcome and celebrate every race,gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, marital status, age, physicaland mental ability, national origin,
economic station, and political ideology.
We come together in action andoutreach, aspiring to follow Jesus'
example of radical hospitality.
(10:27):
and grace as a transformativemovement in our community.
Please join us for worship on Sundaymornings at nine and 11am both
in person and on Facebook live.
All are welcome and we'dlove to have you with us.
Grace and peace.
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