And let's get into our study of God's Word. Before the prophecy update on Sunday mornings, we're going through 1 Corinthians chapter by chapter verse by verse.

Today we're going to finish chapter 13 and our text will be verses 11 through 13.

So once you're there, I'll ask you if you're able to stand and follow along with me as I read.

The Apostle Paul is writing by the Holy Spirit. Verse 11 says, when I was a child, I talked like a child.

I thought like a child. I reasoned like a child. When I became a man,

I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now, verse 12, we see only a reflection as in a mirror.

Then we shall see face to face. Now, I know in part, then I shall know fully,

even as I am fully known. And verse 13, now these three remain, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. Let's pray.

Lord, would you settle our hearts and focus our attention by the Holy Spirit upon you and your Word and that which you have

for us this morning in your Word.

Lord, we want to give you our undivided attention so that you can speak into our lives. So Lord will you? We ask you in Jesus name. Amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

Today's teaching is part four of a series I have titled Love the Most Excellent Way.

Up to this point, the Apostle Paul has placed his emphasis on the Corinthians over emphasis

on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which in turn led to their under emphasis, if I can say it that way,

of love. And as such, he now in these last verses of chapter 13 turns a corner of sorts

and illustrates how that the gifts are only temporary, while love is that which will last

for all eternity.

It's important to note that the two illustrations that he uses in verses 11 and 12 serve

to reinforce the truth of verse 13, namely that

when perfection comes, when that time comes when the personification of perfection comes

in the person of Jesus Christ will have no need for that which we desperately

need now.

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