A More Excellent Way

1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13 NKJV

But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And 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. And 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. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love 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. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

What is the most important need in the church?

Good theology?

Praise and worship?

Strong faith?

Anointed preaching and teaching?

Vibrant programs for the children and youth?

Spiritual gifts? (tongues, prophecy, miracles, etc.)

Evangelism?

Giving to the poor and needy?

All these are important, but are they the MOST important?

Love is a more excellent way

1 Corinthians 12:31 NKJV

But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

There is no substitute for love

Spiritual gifts are no substitutes for love.

1 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

Prophecy (preaching) is no substitute for love.

1 Corinthians 13:2 NKJV

And 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.

Understanding divine mysteries is no substitute for love.

Knowledge of God and the Bible is no substitute for love.

Faith is no substitute for love.

Generosity is no substitute for love.

1 Corinthians 13:3 NKJV

And 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.

Martyrdom is no substitute for love.

Love is Virtuous

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 NKJV

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love 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.

Love is Complete

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 NKJV

Love 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. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Prophecy is partial.

Tongues are temporal.

Knowledge is limited.

Love is complete, eternal, and unlimited.

Love is Mature

1 Corinthians 13:11–12 NKJV

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Love is the Greatest

1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Hope is virtuous in this life. Hope will one day become experience.

Romans 8:24 NKJV

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

Faith is virtuous in this life. Faith will one day become sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Love is eternal. Love is virtuous in this life and throughout eternity.

Love is the King of all virtues.

Response to the Word