The message was brought by Rev. Tim Powers on 2/15/26. The background scripture is from I Corinthians 13 through chapter 14:1a.
The people of the Corinthian church were sinning, not doing what God wanted. Previous chapters talk about the things they were guilty of. Many of the gifts Paul talks about in chapter 13 have ceased. Once the church was established in those early days by the apostles, those specific gifts ceased in need.
Paul reminds us all that love (charity) is greater and our ability. It reaches out. The Greek word used is agape, the highest form of love. This is the highest form of love, the kind of love Jesus had. It’s a higher love than we have. This love expects nothing back. Money can’t buy this kind of love. It’s greater than any ability a person has. Love is what matters. Love is what never fails. Look at these verses in chapter 13. None of the other things matter if a person doesn’t love. Without love you and I have nothing.
Verses 4-7 say: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love seen in a person’s character suffers all things. It doesn’t get puffed up or behave in a way it shouldn’t. Look what suffering Jesus went through. No matter what they did, Jesus did not retaliate. I know I would not have been as patient as Jesus. He never cursed the Roman soldiers. I want to challenge us all to be this patient and kind. People are suffering all around us. We need to draw them to God in love. We can’t beat Jesus into a person. It takes work to love. It takes commitment. It takes patience and kindness. We can’t “hate” on each other and show the love of God. Love also isn’t full of pride; it’s humble. It doesn’t rejoice when it sees sin in our own lives or in others. The church cannot live like the world. Even though love acts and reacts in this way, we tell others the truth. Sinners without God need to know they must be saved to get to heaven. Tell them in love they need a Savior. Love bears. Love hopes. Love believes. ALL THINGS. Go back and read verses 8-12. Love never fails. It outlasts everything else including prophecy and knowledge. The love of Jesus stands forever. Let his love shine in us.
His Word is love. His name is love. His Word will stand forever. The cross is love and what was done there will stand forever. I John 4 says love is the scratch test of Christianity. Do you have this kind of love in your heart?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 