A Still More Excellent Way

This sermon examines 1 Corinthians 13 as the essential foundation for the proper use of spiritual gifts within the church. It argues that while gifts are valuable for edification, they are temporary tools that must be grounded in *agape* love, which is defined as a sacrificial, non-transactional, and preferential love originating from God. The message contrasts the loveless service of the Pharisees and the church at Ephesus with the self-emptying example of Jesus Christ, who demonstrated perfect love through humility and sacrifice. By emphasizing that faith and hope will cease upon the return of Christ while love abides, the sermon calls believers to prioritize mutual service and unity over the pursuit of individual spiritual status. The tone is instructional and convicting, urging the congregation to view their interactions through the lens of God's redemptive love rather than self-interest.