Praise the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
\nWelcome as we study the Word of God together, today focusing on THE GREATEST GIFT. According to the Scriptures in the book of Corinthians:<\/p>\n
1 Corinthians 12:28-31
\n\u201cAnd God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, and varieties of tongues.
\nAre all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
\nDo all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
\nBut earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nFrom this passage, we see that the Scriptures indicate that there are great gifts, and among these, there is one that is the greatest of all. Whoever possesses this gift will have a ministry greater than all others.<\/p>\n
When we review the list in the passage, the Apostle Paul mentions many gifts: apostles, teachers, miracles, gifts of healing, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, helps, administrations, prophecy, and others. He mentions many, but he does not specify which is the greatest.<\/p>\n
Humanly speaking, one might think among these gifts Paul mentioned, one or two are superior to the others. Some might think the gift of healing is the greatest, others might say apostleship is the greatest, another might say prophecy, or speaking in tongues, etc. Everyone might have their own opinion.<\/p>\n
But when Paul says, \u201cearnestly desire the best gifts,\u201d was he referring to one of those gifts mentioned? To understand which is the greatest gift Paul was pointing to, let us read verse 31 again:<\/p>\n
1 Corinthians 12:31
\n\u201cBut earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nDo you see it? He says, \u201ca more excellent way.\u201d In simple terms, Paul meant, \u201cI show you the greatest gift.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, what is this \u201cmore excellent way\u201d or the greatest gift Paul was speaking about? Continuing to the next chapter, we find Paul explains the greatest gift we should pursue:<\/p>\n
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
\n\u201cThough I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
\nAnd though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
\nAnd though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
\nLove suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
\ndoes not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
\ndoes not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
\nbears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
\nLove never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nYou see! The Bible says, even if I speak in the tongues of men and angels, if I do not have the gift of LOVE, I am nothing. Even if I have the gift of prophecy, without love it is worthless. Even if I have perfect faith that could move mountains, without the greatest gift of love, I am nothing. All other gifts without love are meaningless.<\/p>\n
So the greatest gift Paul was speaking of is LOVE. You may ask, why love and not prophecy, apostleship, tongues, faith, or teaching?<\/p>\n
The gift of LOVE is the greatest because it is the gift of God Himself. The Bible says:<\/p>\n
1 John 4:8
\n\u201cHe who does not love does not know God, for God is love.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nGod is not an apostle, evangelist, preacher, or miracle worker; God is LOVE. That is why love is the greatest gift of all.<\/p>\n
God did not create us because He is a prophet; He gave us life not because He is a healer; He forgives our sins not because He is an evangelist; He provides for our needs not because He performs miracles. No! God created us, gave us life, saves us, and provides for us because He is LOVE\u2014pure love.<\/p>\n
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in this new year, even as we ask God to fulfill many things for us, let us also ask to be like Him, full of LOVE. This love comes through learning God\u2019s Word, learning to love, learning to forgive as He forgave us. Start this year without grudges, without seeking revenge. Let this be your year of love and generosity. Forgive all who hurt you, so that God can also forgive you for all the wrongs you committed last year. Bless others sincerely, and you will be blessed this year. The Bible says, \u201cWith the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
You are turning a new page\u2014so let your spirit be renewed. Then you will truly know God, and God Himself will love, protect, and preserve you, for He IS LOVE.<\/p>\n
It is my prayer that the Lord grants us all this and more in this year. I wish you a blessed New Year 2019. May the Lord protect you, your home, your family, and give you good health from the beginning to the end of this year. May He bless all your endeavors that please Him in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.<\/p>\n
Amen!<\/p>\n