Sunday Morning Worship
August 5, 2012
Series: “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”
Today: “The Most Excellent Way”
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:3 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.
13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 
Introduction: Let’s admit that we “churchies” get rather worldly in our evaluations of greatness .
* If you fail at everything else, you must not fail in living out love . 
I. THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY WINS OUR FAMILY .
* These characteristics are winners even when done in small doses . 
II. THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY WINS PEOPLE TO CHRIST .
A. Jesus proved that the greatest of all these ways is love .
B. We are tempted to use lesser ways:
1. Lecture them.
2. Argue with them; show them the “facts.”
3. Shame them.
Conclusion: Two “take homes” from today’s lesson:
1. Determine to raise the level of love in your home by ten percent this week!
2. Start praying for God to put a family on your heart that is far from God!