Let all that you do be done in love

STUDY: # 991-CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: AUGUST 7 @ 13, 2018

TOPIC: "Let all that you do be done in love" 1 Corinthians 16:10 – 16

My beloved brothers, if we are going to do something for the Lord, let it be with this single requirement: that we do everything with love! However, nowadays people do not worry about love. Instead, all they want is to stand out, shine, and be seen by everyone. The Word is a very sharp sword. It should be used to pierce men’s hearts. The Word should be covered with love; it should never be a cold edged sword. The Word comes as it is: the voice of God! If it is the voice of God then it should be filled with love

I. That Timothy be at ease with you (Vs.10)

A. So that when he is with you, he doesn’t feel fear.

1. Be without fear!

2. Fear is a passion (action to suffer), a mood disorder, for which those who suffer from it will try to escape from what they consider risky, dangerous.

3. Our dear and beloved Timothy went to the Corinthians and Paul wanted them to make sure that he was calm and at peace.

4. What great love Paul must have felt!

5. To walk like Jesus, we must be full of love!

6. We know of the Lord’s miracles, of His power. He did it that way so that the work of God would be fulfilled. But His death in the Cross was all about love and surrender!

7. The apostle did not want the Corinthians to test Timothy, to see if he was greater than Paul. Timothy was still a young man.

8. The apostle protected him so that Timothy would not be afraid of being rejected as a servant of the Lord.

9. Paul told the Corinthians, "... for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am."

10. (Vs.11) "... let no one despise him ..." Because those one who love never take anyone for granted!

11. Let no one despise him!

12. It just so happens that in people’s minds there are hierarchies, levels, positions.

13. If the Corinthians despised Timothy, they would not listen to him. His words would fall on deaf ears.

14. Therefore, the voice of Jesus would not be heard. For this reason, the work of God would not be achieved among them.

15. Because of Timothy's faithful service to Christ, no one should despise him!

16. They should have strived to guide him "in peace", so that in due time he could return to Paul.

17. The apostle expected a meeting with Timothy and the brothers.

18. Paul would want to hear Timothy, to know how the Corinthians were doing.

19. (Vs.12) Paul begged Apollos to go to the Corinthians, but Apollos did not go. Only God and Apollos know the reason for this!

B. (Vs.13 - 14) In these two verses, the apostle's instructions are brief, summarized.

1. He exhorted the saints, with great accuracy and precision, on what they should do.

2. They should "watch" constantly, be firm in the faith, behave manly and be strong.

3. Perhaps Paul was thinking about the dangers of false teachers.

4. Saints must be on guard all the time!

5. (Vs.13) In life, they should not give in the least bit of their vital territory (of what is life).

6. They must behave with true courage.

7. Finally, they must be "strong" in the Lord.

8. (Vs.14) ALL THAT YOU DO, YOU MUST DO WITH LOVE!

9. You should know that this means that you should dedicate your life to God "and to others."

10. For the Corinthians this meant: that they would "give" themselves.

11. In Christ there is no proposal, it is what He has said that you will be!

12. It is your life, passion, dedication and sanctification. The first thing you have to do is die to your old habits and self, and "not demand anything from the Lord."

13. You cannot live for what you want or your conveniences. Enough of that!

II. (Vs.15) Exhortation regarding the house of Stephanas

A. Those dear Christians were the first fruits of Achaia.

1. They were the first converts in Achaia (a province in Greece that was part of the Roman Empire).

2. From the moment of their conversion, these believers had dedicated themselves to "serve the saints."

3. Ask yourself: Is that what you want to do? Nothing is just about you!

4. They had undertaken the task of serving God’s people.

5. They had "put themselves at the service of the saints."

6. It's to serve. It's not glory for you! Rid your mind of the vanity, because service is work, especially when done for another person!

B. (Vs.16) The apostle exhorted Christians to submit to people like them and to all who help in the work of God.

1. Submit to those who eagerly work for God.

2. With the intense desire that moves you to do what you have to do to serve the saints!

3. With interest and determination, not with indifference, which is the way things are usually done.

4. The people who are capable of separating themselves for the service of Christ should receive the loving respect of all of God’s people! The New Testament teaches us this about those who are separated for service.

5. If God’s people considered this, and did so, they would avoid many divisions and jealousies. Amen.