March 1, 2026 - Love Defined and Defined by Love - Part 3.

This powerful exploration of 1 Corinthians 13 challenges us to reconsider everything we think we know about love. We discover that love isn't just another spiritual quality—it's the very essence of who God is and the measure of our spiritual maturity. The message reveals three transformative truths: love is essential, love is eternal, and love is the greatest virtue. Without love, even our most impressive spiritual gifts, sacrifices, and knowledge amount to nothing. What makes this particularly convicting is the reminder that we can deceive ourselves into thinking we're serving God when we're actually serving our own interests. On judgment day, works done without love will burn up like wood, hay, and stubble. But here's the hope: God Himself is the source of love, and He generously pours it into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We learn that Christian maturity isn't measured by how long we've been in church or how much we know—it's measured by how much we love like Christ. While prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will all cease when we see Jesus face to face, three things remain forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love. This isn't sentimental emotion but divine nature placed within us, empowering us to love even when human love has failed us.