Text: 1 Corinthians 13

Prop: a Valentine’s Day card

Summary: Christians should show others a selfless, giving, unconditional love. Our efforts are meaningless if we do not have love for one another.

Do any of you give Valentine’s Day cards? [Show the card.) If you give or send a card, you show that person that you like them or love them. If you know about Valentine’s Day, you probably have seen your father bring your mother some flowers or candy. It is a day when those who love each other show their love by giving presents. Today I want to tell you about a love letter in the Bible.

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Christians living in Corinth. They were not getting along together. Paul wanted them to live together in peace with one another. Some of them argued with each other. They were behaving badly. Some of them thought they were more important than others. Some of them envied what others had. That means they wanted things they did not have and they were mean to people. So Paul wrote in his letter about the kind of love God has for us. He gave them a beautiful description of what true love is.

(Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7.)

Paul said all of our best efforts will mean nothing if we do not have love. Paul said love is patient and kind, does not envy, nor behave badly. True love thinks about the other person more than oneself. It gives rather than takes. True love does not say, “I will love you only if you love me.” True love is given without any conditions put on it. In other words, we should love one another the way God loves us.

Let us pray. Dear Lord Jesus, help me to love others the way you love me. Amen.

©2004 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.