Mexico Missouri message., 1916-08-03
LESSON FOR AUG. 6
GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD.
Temperance Lesson.)

spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:7-15). Every
believer Is q member of the body of
Christ, and therefore has a definite
ministry. Though the gifts are d.
verse, all are equally honorable be-
cause they are bestowed, administered
and energized by the Holy Spirit.
Love alone gives value to the ministry
of any gift.
I. Fill the Gift With Love (vv. 1-3).
Just as the body is dead unless a liv-
ing soul abides in and inspires it, so
is the gift unless filed with the spirit
of love. This is the more excellent
way" to which Paul makes reference
at the conclusion of Chapter IL. In
praising love Paul does not fall into
the error of criticizing others, not even
his followers, and suggests that even
he may be wanting in this trait. The
Corinthians were eager to attain ex-
cellence and to be prominent in wis
dom and philosophy; to understand
the world in which they lived; to be
scholars and teachers and improve
and correct society. Paul therefore
filled with the motive of love. ID The
gift of tongues. The saints in the
church at Corinth seem to have been
particularly gifted in this direction,
and to have been proud Of 1t, och. IA:
2-23) and eager to outstrip the others.
Paul tells them that such Boosting
amounts to little. The grace of love
is far more excellent way. (2) The
gift of prophecy. The New Testament
prophet was forth-teller, not a teller
of the future. To be forth-teller was
a thing to be coveted and admired, but
not unless accompanied by love. (3)
Miracle working. A man can have
this in the most powerful form con-
ceivable, and yet If he has not love,
he is nothing.
u. Love is Known by Its Mani
festatlons wv. Az. Having shown the
absolute necessity of love Paul shows
how we may recognize it. The behav-
Tor of love can be seen and known.
Paul set for us Is manifestations. O
Love suffereth long. Love is no pass
ing emotion, but a fixed thought. (2)
1t is kind. Kindness in action, love
at work. (3) Love envieth not. 1t
does not grow out of selfishness, for
selfishness Is the very opposite of love.
(4) Love vaunteth not itself, does not
climb to the housetops to proclaim its
glory. (5) Is not pulled up. There is
no initiation, like a soap bubble, to
dazzle the eye. (6) Does not behave
itself unseemly, that Is without deli
cacy of feeling. Unseemly conduct
grows from pride and seklshness,
whereas love is the foundation of true
courtesy. "a Seeketh not her own. Is
not looking out for self first of all. (S)
Is not easily provoked; good tempered,
not irritable. To lose ones temper Is
q dangerous evil. The evil is not so
much in the temper but in our failure
to control 1t. (9) Thinketh no evil.
Puts the best construction upon the
acts of others, making all possible al
lowances. (10) Rejolceth not in ini-
guilty. (11) Rejoiceth in the truth, that
is, is in sympathy with all that is true.
(12) Beareth all things; endureth
hardships and trials for the working
out of the kingdom. (13) Believeth all
things; not credulous but putting the
best construction upon the words of
others, and having faith in the final
outcome of every good cause. 14)
Hopeth all things; is not discouraged
in the dark and shadowy days. (l5)
Endureth all things; 1t goes on believ-
ing and hoping to the end; no obstacle
can stop it. Surely such catalogue
of the marks Of love is enough to
make us all pause and mediate.
III. The Permanenee Of Life wv.
S-13). The word "faileth" here denotes
failing in the sense of cessation, and
love is contrasted with three typical
but passing forms Of Christian ex-
preston. "a PROPHECIES mot the
things prophesied but the gift or act
of prophesying ". 81 which at best
can only partially express Gods word.
Prophecy will pass away in the fuller
vision and wider knowledge of God
"Who is love-" (2) Tongues" The
time will come when they will not be
needed as a sign nor to enable us to
tApTGSS OuI N1lIltu tLlOllOuS. Inc VI
vinely inspired prophecies tell but a
part Of what is yet to be. (9) "Knowl-
edge" 1t shall be done away in the
fuller knowledge of the eternal world
as the light of the stars vanish before
the rising sun. When that which is
perfect is come these lights will be
seen to be only like the separate stones
of quarry which can only be fully
understood when the whole building
stands before us in its completion.
Paul gives an illustration of this truth
from the familiar case Of the growing
child wv. II, 12). In conclusion ".
13) faith, hope, love abideth, three
graces, imperishable and immortal.
slope is a fountain; faith draws the
water and drinks; love distributes the
water to Others" DR.. J. II. Jowett. But
the greatest of these is love. (a) Love
is greater in Its nature. 1t brings us
closer to God, making us partakers OF