BULLETIN OUTLINE

Indispensable: One Thing that Changes Everything 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Blind Spot
08.17.14 Tom Oyler, Lead Pastor

The Structure

The Condition
If I do all...have all...give all

The Contrast
...but do not have love...

The Conclusion
...I have become (nothing)
...I am nothing
...it profits me nothing

The Substance

It is natural to justify our lack of love.


It is easy to substitute accomplishment for love.


It is hard to see our own reality.


LOOKING BACK

Really? Surely Paul is over stating the case! If I do allhave allor give allbut do not have love I have
become nothing I am nothingit profits me nothing. Hard to take, hard to believe. Just that one thing makes
such a big difference?

Thinking It Through

Love is a decision to serve someone.
~Donald Whtiney
Before we can minister in love we must be mastered by love.
~Unknown
A man is only as good as what he loves.
~Saul Bellow
More than anything else, the thing that gets in the way of us getting along is self-centeredness that
seems reasonable. ~Larry Crabb
Working It Out
1. What troubles you about 1 Corinthians 13:1-3?
2. What do you think the phrase the illusion of self-worth means and how does it show up in the
way you perceive yourself?
3. What tentative conclusions do you come to about yourself based on your exposure to this text?


LOOKING AHEAD
Indispensable: One Thing that Changes Everything
The Worlds Greatest Reality Show
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Paul leads in vs. 1-3 with the goal of eliminating our blind spot when it comes to love. Without it, we are
nothing! No exceptions, no excuses. If that is true, if we are to accept it, if we are to know where we actually
stand, then what do we need? An understanding what love actually looks like! And here it is, in all of its
unvarnished reality!


1. What is your honest reaction when you read over vs. 4-7, starting with vs. 1-3? Keep writing until
you run out of thoughts!


2. What do these qualities imply about life and relationships?


3. What is your impression of the nature of love from these verses?


4. Knowing these words are inspired by God, what can you conclude about who God is and what
matters to Him?


5. If you were to grow in true love, what would have to happen inside of you?