Sermon Sandwich

I Corinthians 12:27-13:13—Sermon Sandwich

Trinity Church, 1589 Hwy 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438
www.trinityedisto.com  843-869-3568
Last Sunday of Epiphany, February 27, 2022
Holy Eucharist - Renewed Ancient Text; 2019 BCP, p.123

I Corinthians 12:27-13:13 Sermon Notes

Intro - Memories of I Corinthians 13

I Corinthians 13:8,13 - Love never ends. … So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I John 1: 10

Love - agape - acts of service, sacrifice, based on the character of the one doing the acts of love.

Galatians 2:20

The Historic Context -  Spiritual Gifts, especially tongues, being used to dominate the local church.

The foundation, the energy, for spiritual gifts, service, ministry and mission is agape love.

Why is that important?   Because motivation means everything!

I Corinthians 13:1-3 - 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.

Story of Trinity Leaders, years ago. 

Motivation means everything - 

I Corinthians 13:13 - So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

These are the three Theological Virtues.  (“The Cardinal Virtues,” Mere Christianity, CS Lewis)

Why is love the greatest?  but the greatest of these is love

Faith and Hope are unseen.  Only agape love is seen.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Romans 8:24 - For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?

Wey’s story of faith, brought about by love.