The Most Excellent Way: Living and Serving in Love

Today, we gathered to remember that the heart of our faith and our life together is love. We began by acknowledging our need for God’s Spirit to meet us wherever we are—whether broken, lost, or rejoicing—and to transform us more and more into the likeness of Christ. We confessed that, though God is always faithful, we often fall short, especially when it comes to living out a costly, committed love. Yet, in God’s mercy, every confession is an invitation for the Holy Spirit to refine us, to bring our impurities to the surface, and to make us more like Jesus, bit by bit.

Drawing from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we explored what it means to walk in “the most excellent way”—the way of love. Paul reminds us that no matter how gifted, knowledgeable, or sacrificial we are, if love is not our motivation, our efforts are empty. Love is not just a feeling or a word we say; it is the very substance that gives meaning and lasting value to all we do. We are all called to ministry—not just those with a title—because ministry is simply seeing a need and meeting it, whether that’s comforting a child, praying for a friend, or helping a coworker.

But how do we know if we are truly acting from love? Paul gives us a test: love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not self-seeking or easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, rejoices with the truth, always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. When we examine ourselves honestly, we often find places where we fall short. Yet, this is not cause for despair but for rejoicing, because it is an invitation to invite the Holy Spirit to do a deeper work in us. The love we are called to is not something we can muster on our own; it is a gift from God, accessed through prayer and dependence on Him.

We heard the story of Sandra Gibson, whose humble, persistent love changed lives and even inspired others to serve in faraway places. This is the kind of impact love can have—rippling out from one life to generations. When we serve from love, Christ is made visible, and both we and those we serve are forever changed. We are called to keep growing in love, knowing that our transformation is a lifelong journey, and that every act of love is a lasting investment in God’s kingdom. May we continue to walk in this most excellent way, letting God’s love fill us and flow through us, so that heaven touches earth through our lives.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Love is the True Measure of All We Do No matter how impressive our gifts, knowledge, or sacrifices, if love is not at the core, our actions are ultimately empty. Paul’s challenge is to examine not just what we do, but why we do it. The value of our service is determined by the presence of love, not by outward success or recognition. [23:43]
• 2. Ministry is for Everyone, and It Begins with Seeing and Meeting Needs Ministry is not reserved for those with official titles; it is the simple act of noticing a need and responding with compassion. Whether it’s comforting a child, praying for a friend, or helping a coworker, every believer is called to be a minister of Christ’s love. Our daily, often unnoticed acts of kindness are the true work of the kingdom. [29:32]
• 3. The Test of Love: Honest Self-Examination and Openness to the Spirit Paul gives us practical tests for love—patience, kindness, humility, perseverance, and more. When we find ourselves lacking, it is not a reason for shame but an opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit to transform us. Honest confession and dependence on God’s resources are the pathway to deeper love and greater Christlikeness. [34:55]
• 4. Love’s Impact is Generational and Eternal The story of Sandra Gibson shows how humble, persistent love can ripple out to change lives, families, and even nations. When we serve from love, we become conduits of Christ’s presence, and our investments in others bear fruit far beyond what we can see. Love is the only investment that will last into eternity. [45:26]
• 5. Transformation is a Lifelong Journey, Empowered by Grace Growing in love is not a quick fix but a lifelong process. We will fail and fall short, but each failure is an invitation to receive more of God’s grace and to keep moving forward. As we cooperate with the Spirit, we are refined, and Christ’s image is formed in us, preparing us for the day when we will hear, “Well done.” [42:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [07:13] - Opening Worship and Prayer
• [12:31] - Confession and God’s Faithfulness
• [13:20] - Purification Through Trials
• [16:28] - Children’s Lesson: What’s Inside Matters
• [21:27] - Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians: The Most Excellent Way
• [23:43] - Why Love is Essential
• [26:04] - The Lasting Impact of Love
• [28:01] - What is Ministry?
• [31:10] - The Test of Love: Patience and Kindness
• [34:05] - Led by the Spirit of Love
• [36:57] - Rejoicing in Conviction and Growth
• [39:44] - Moving from Imperfect to Refined Love
• [42:55] - Transformation is a Lifelong Journey
• [43:36] - The Story of Sandra Gibson: Love’s Ripple Effect
• [46:15] - The Eternal Reward of Love
• [52:18] - Praying for Love in Service
• [56:04] - Walking in the Most Excellent Way
• [57:16] - Living Sacrifices and Final Blessing
• [62:02] - Benediction: Love That Sets Us Free

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (ESV) — If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 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. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, what are some impressive things a person can do that are still empty without love?
2. What are the specific qualities Paul lists as the “test” of love?
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of everyday ministry that anyone can do, not just those with a title? [[29:32]]
4. What was the impact of Sandra Gibson’s love on the people around her, according to the story shared? [[44:42]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul say that even the greatest gifts or sacrifices are “nothing” if they are not motivated by love? What does this reveal about God’s priorities for our lives? [[23:43]]
2. The sermon describes ministry as “seeing a need and meeting it.” How does this definition challenge or affirm your understanding of what it means to serve God? [[28:01]]
3. When Paul gives the “test” for love (patience, kindness, etc.), what does it reveal about the difference between actions done for recognition and actions done from genuine love? [[31:10]]
4. The story of Sandra Gibson shows love’s ripple effect. What does this suggest about the long-term impact of small, faithful acts of love? [[45:26]]

Application Questions

1. Paul says that without love, our actions are empty—even if they look impressive on the outside. Think about a time when you did something good, but your motivation wasn’t love. How did that feel, and what would have changed if love was your motivation? [[23:43]]
2. The sermon says ministry is for everyone, not just pastors or leaders. What is one need you’ve noticed this week—in your family, work, or neighborhood—that you could meet with love? [[29:32]]
3. Looking at Paul’s “test” for love (patience, kindness, not self-seeking, etc.), which quality do you find most challenging? What is one practical step you can take to grow in that area this week? [[31:10]]
4. The pastor encouraged us to rejoice when we notice where we fall short in love, because it’s an invitation for the Holy Spirit to work in us. Is there an area where you feel you’re lacking in love? How can you invite God to help you grow there? [[36:57]]
5. The story of Sandra Gibson showed how simple, persistent love can change lives and even inspire others to serve. Who has shown you this kind of love in your life? How did it affect you? [[44:42]]
6. The sermon reminded us that transformation is a lifelong journey, and we will fail sometimes. How do you usually respond when you fall short in loving others? What would it look like to respond with confession and dependence on God’s grace instead? [[42:55]]
7. The pastor said, “When we serve from love, Christ is made visible, and both we and those we serve are forever changed.” Can you think of a time when you saw or experienced this? How might you look for opportunities to serve from love this week? [[46:15]]