SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 SERMON NOTES

Dr. Ronny Raines, Senior Pastor

Fruit Inspection: Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

I. Understand the Biblical Context (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
1. Do You and I Love God?
2. Do You and I Love One Another?
3. Do You and I Love Non-believers? 

II. Hear the Biblical Challenge (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
1. He Continues to Speak
2. He Wants to Change
3. He Desires to Use

III. Practice the Biblical Commands (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
1. What Love Is
2. What Love Is Not
3. What Love Does  

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 STUDY GUIDE

Fruit Inspection: Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 

Do you like to eat fresh fruit? Fruit is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Doctors and nutritionists recommend that the average person eat fruit every day. Fruit is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The health benefits are numerous; it's good for the mind and the body. 

Why is God interested in fruit? The word "fruit" is used in Genesis 2, Psalm 1, and John 15. God calls His people to bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. How do you tell a real believer from a false believer? How do you identify a sincere servant from an insincere servant? God calls His children to be fruit inspectors, meaning first of themselves, and then, as God gives discernment, of others. The presence or absence of spiritual fruit shouts authenticity. 

Open your Bibles and read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 and Galatians 5:22-23. The emphasis is on the "fruit of the Spirit," not "fruits of the Spirit." God's Word reveals one fruit with nine flavors. It's not like you're eating at a buffet restaurant. You pick one meat option and ignore other options. You have five dessert choices, but you select only one. All nine flavors are to be present and noticeable in your life as a believer. 

Here are a few questions to consider: 

- Have you turned from your sin and trusted Jesus Christ? 

- Are you growing closer to God?              

- Can other people see the fruit the Lord is producing in and through you?  

The first flavor of fruit listed is love. Please hear this next statement; the greatest act of love in human history is Jesus' death on a cross. He died for the sins of the world; He died in your place and paid your sin debt in full. Jesus' love is personal and sacrificial. If you're going to bear delicious fruit that God desires, you must be willing to die to yourself. That lifestyle mirrors the behavior of Jesus. 

What does God reveal about love as a fruit from 1 Corinthians 13? 

1. Understand the Biblical Context (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). This chapter is about love. This section of God's Word has been read at weddings countless times. It's meaningful and relevant in those settings. However, the correct context (the audience) of 1 Corinthians 13 is the church. The church in Corinth was gifted by God, but they weren't loving one another as God desired. Do you love God? Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you love people currently outside of Christ?

2. Hear the Biblical Challenge (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Paul declared that love is foundational for God's people. You may preach great sermons, sing beautiful songs, or teach powerful studies, but if love is missing, you're a "noisy gong" or "a clanging cymbal." As you think about your church family, is love present or absent? Why do many people avoid local churches? A primary reason is the absence of love. God's people are to love Him and one another.

3. Practice the Biblical Commands (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Paul gave detailed insights about what love is, what love is not, and what love does. Take a few moments and read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 again. In your group, answer these three questions using the biblical text. What is love? What is not love? What does love do? An ungodly culture is watching the church and making comments. Many of the comments are unfair but painfully accurate because love is often missing.

As people inspect your church, do they see love? As an assignment this week, and in an appropriate way, can you send a "love note, email, or text" to another person? In your prayer time, share your love for the Lord with Him. When God opens a door, love a lost person by sharing the gospel with him or her. Those behaviors are the way you live out love in 1 Corinthians 13. 

Here are a few final questions to discuss: 

- How is biblical love being produced (displayed) in your church? 

- When have you felt most loved by the Lord and His people? 

- How are you obeying 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 in your Christian walk? 

As you conclude this week's study, take a few moments and pray for one another. That is a beautiful display of love. Here are three prayer prompts for you and your group. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer time.

- Pray for your church to love the Lord. 

- Pray for your church to love one another.

- Pray for your church to love those who need Jesus.     

FBC Clarksville is praying for you. Thank you for studying God's Word. May the Lord use this sermon series in your life, allowing you to display the "fruit of the Spirit!" 

Grace and Peace!                                     

View all of the "Fruit Inspection" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/fruitinspection.

NEW GROWTH GROUPS

NEW Growth Groups are available, and we’d love for you to get connected! Check out all of the new 2026 Growth Groups and sign up today at fbct.org/growthgroups.

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: Wednesday, JANUARY 13, 2026

DINNER: 5:00-5:45PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

CLASS: 5:45PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

Our First Steps class is designed for new members and guests. We invite you to join our Senior Pastor, Dr. Ronny Raines, and our ministry team for our next membership class. We'll treat you to a delicious meal in the Steeple Landing at 5:00 pm, and then help you discover how God wants to use you at First Baptist Church. As you attend the class, we'll cover the following subjects:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ

• Meaning of church membership

• Biblical baptism

• The Lord's Supper

• The church's beliefs and vision

• Opportunities to give

• Ways to serve in the church

• Ministries at First Baptist Church 

• Meet our ministry team

• Time for Q&A

• Tour our church facilities

We hope you'll join us for our next First Steps class. You can register by filling out the online form at fbct.org/firststeps or by contacting Dana in the pastor's office at 931.245.0000 or dana.abee@fbct.org.

CAR SHOW

SEPTEMBER 26 | 9:00-11:00 AM | GRACE PARKING LOT

Join us on Saturday, September 26 from 9:00-11:00 am for the First Baptist Clarksville Show & Shine Car Show! Come and enjoy a time of fellowship, coffee, donuts, and family fun. Have a car you’d like to show? All makes and models welcome! Contact the church for more information - info@fbct.org or 931.245.0000.

FIRST BAPTIST MUSIC

Check out all of the First Baptist Worship Team videos from our online worship services at fbct.org/music.

THE VOICE - MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date with all that is going with our monthly newsletter, the Voice! Visit fbct.org/voice!

MEMBERSHIP AND GIVING TOOLS

Fellowship, Worship and Discipleship are fundamental to an obedient life in Christ. First Baptist Church maintains several tools to help us stay connected, share and offer the sacrifice of praise, and grow together. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at fbct.org and click on "app" to see options for adding these tools to your phone or other device. You can use these tools to stay connected to your discipleship group, contact the church, watch past worship services and sermons, as well as support the FBC financially as the Lord directs for you and your family. There are even instructions for how to access these tools using your web browser.

Using these apps, updating your profile information to share with the church is easy. When changes occur in your family life such as a move to a new home, change in email address, etc. you can update your information to be sure that our communication with you is efficient. You can even add a picture to make it easier for your church family to put a name with a face!

Information about any groups that might be of interest to you, such as Connect Groups, teams, committees, etc will be available as well.  Group Leaders can use the tools to take attendance online and access other features.  You can contact the church through the app, read messages from group members/leaders and browse the church directory.

Check out fbct.org/app  for instructions on how to get the app and reach the membership and giving website.

LOVE the time of worship through song today? You can follow us on Spotify and listen to our playlist each week! Follow us on Spotify “First Clarksville” and sing along!