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These Three Remain: Faith, Hope and Love

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.

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.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking
is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease;
where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

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 childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor 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 now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Sunday we conclude our series on Faith, Hope and Love.

Please Join us! Joey

These Three Remain: Faith, Hope and Love

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Hope is another one of those topics with so much information, that it could fill an “all day sermon.” However, we will restrict our time Sunday to Romans 5:1-5. Our series text is 1 Corinthians 13:13, Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. We are looking at things that last. There are so many things we could choose to change about ourselves, most of them good, but Paul tells us that faith, hope and love are among the few things that will last. Why build our lives upon things that are transient and temporary when we can choose things that last.

Last week we spoke of faith – covenant faith (saving faith in Jesus), epistemological faith (perceptive faith – recognizing the biblical worldview in life), and eschatological faith (faith that trusts God to eventually answer all our questions and make all things right). This last type of faith is what creates hope for the child of God.

Romans 5:1-5 mentions all three dimensions of faith and introduces our Christian hope. We are justified by faith in the finished work of Christ. We are introduced to God’s perspective (world view) regarding human suffering and how that leads us to our eschatological faith/hope in the glory of God which will be ours on the last day.

We can rejoice in our sufferings because we know where they lead the child of God—perseverance, character, and finally hope.

Our hope is one that will not disappoint us because it is of di-vine origin. God floods our heart with love and hope through his indwelling Spirit.

No matter how hard life gets, how much we suffer and struggle, how difficult our pathway, or how dark the night becomes, we know that morning is coming and it will not disappoint!

I’ll say more in my lesson, Joey

These Three Remain:

Faith, Hope and Love

Friday, January 10, 2025, is Quitters Day. It is recognized on the second Friday of January to mark the date that most people give up on their New Years Resolutions. According to Statista, the six  most common New Years resolutions are:

1. Save more money (21%)
2. Eat healthier (19%)
3. Exercise more (17%)
4. Lose weight (15%)
5. Spend more time with family/friends (14%)
6. Quit smoking (9%)

These are all good resolutions and worthy of embracing. Christians often add to this list a number of spiritual ones like the following.

1. Spend more time with God (pray more, read Scripture).
2. Develop Christian Relationships (avoid negative influences).
3. Be more Mindful, Intentional, Reflective (journal, plan, set goals).
4. Repent of/Avoid Sinful Practices or Bad Habit.
5. Reach out More to Others (Serve, Evangelize, Teach).

However, most of these resolutions soon fall to the wayside. Many don’t even last past the second Friday in January – Quitters Day. It is for this reason I have always had a love/hate relationship with resolutions. I have not given up on self-improvement, but I realize that sometimes we “bite off more than we can chew” as we make our list of goals.

This year, I am doing something different. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul contrasts flashy, temporary things with things that will last.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 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 childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor 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. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Beginning Sunday, I want to talk about three words that for the Christian promise stability and permanence. I want to orient my life around these three foundational concepts. Faith, Hope, and Love. For the next three weeks, we will discuss each one of these in succession. I hope you will join us for this series.

I’ll say more in my lesson, Joey

New Year, New Hope

This time of year it is easy to see the amazing beauty of God all around us. As the snow gracefully falls to ground with great intricacy, each uniquely formed flake accumulating all around us changes the scenery completely. A six-sided marvel, as individual as a fingerprint, screaming to the world how great our creator is. In Luke 19:38, as Jesus enters Jerusalem and the people are worshiping him for what he truly is, the Pharisees confront him. His response is “I tell you the truth, if my followers are silent the very stones will cry out”. God doesn’t need us; He doesn’t need you to show his greatness in the world but that is why we were created – to be his image bearers to the world. He wants us to be like Him in our love, action and deed. As we enter the new year let us choose to shine like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:12-16).

– Ryan Bier

A New Year and a New Hope

The beginning of a new year can bring many feelings – uncertainty, anxiousness, excitement, joy, and longing, just to name a few. There’s no better place to turn for inspiration in the year ahead than the Bible! Begin the new year with encouraging Bible verses to strengthen your faith, deepen your love, and increase your hope!

People all over the world express ways to change their lives in the form of making resolutions for these changes. They may be in the form of going on a new diet, creating a change jar where your intentions are not to say bad words, have a bad attitude or think bad thoughts.

Millions will start the year with these kinds of resolutions and goals for change and better living – healthy eating, better financial planning, or better time management. What if your resolution was to know God better and walk in His plan for your life? God is the author of new beginnings and it’s never too late for Him to change your life!

Scripture is full of amazing guidance for transforming your life with a fresh start. Because of the life Jesus lived and his sacrifice for us, the free gift of salvation and new life in him is ours. The Bible tells us that we are a new creation, Be inspired throughout the New Year as you meditate on the promises of God in the Bible.

If you’re looking to refresh your spirit and find guidance, turning to the Bible can be a comforting and wise choice. Reflect on the past year and see how far you’ve come. It’s a time to acknowledge both joys and challenges. As you do, consider setting resolutions that draw you closer to Christ. Trust that embracing spiritual growth and living in the Spirit can deepen your relationship with Him. Surround yourself with a supportive community, seeking counsel in God’s Word to uphold your New Year’s resolutions.

Consider these Scriptures as you look forward to the New Year.

New Year Bible Verses

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Revelation 21:5 – And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

The True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas is one of the most important Christian and cultural holidays of the year, but often people ask, what is the true meaning of Christmas? For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

The meaning of Christmas can vary for different people and cultures, but it is generally celebrated as a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Christmas is a time to reflect on the significance of Jesus birth emphasizing themes of love, peace, and goodwill toward all.

Beyond its religious roots, Christmas has evolved into a widely celebrated cultural and festive occasion in many parts of the world. It often involves exchanging gifts, spending time with family  and friends, decorating homes with festive ornaments, and partaking in special meals and traditions.

Christmas has been commercialized for so many years and many people celebrate this holiday with the focus on Santa and the pressure and anxiety that comes with giving gifts and meeting unnecessary expectations. The message of Christmas often gets lost.

The former Rev. Billy Graham had this to say about Christmas.

In the midst of all upheaval, crisis, difficulty, problems, and fear comes the true message of Christmas with all of its hope, goodwill, and cheer. The message of Christmas has been terribly misapplied and misunderstood for many years. Some think of business profits, shopping, gifts, tinsel, toys, and celebration. Others think only of Bethlehem, of the star in the sky, shepherds in the field, and angels singing. Still others cynically ask, “Where is this Prince of Peace in a world filled with so much trouble?”

The real Christmas message goes far deeper. It heralds the entrance of God into human history. It is Heaven descending to Earth. It is as though a trumpeter had taken his stand upon the turrets of time and announced to a despairing, hopeless, and frustrated world the coming of the Prince of Peace. It answers all the great questions that plague the human race at this hour. The Christmas message is relevant, revolutionary, and reassuring to us today. I believe it can be summed up in three words: a cradle, a cross, and a crown.

On that first Christmas night, the Bible tells us about the angel coming to those fearful shepherds and saying, “Fear not, I bring you good news” (Luke 2). This is the true meaning of Christmas—the Good News—that God sent His only Son to Earth to save people from their sins. Christmas is not a myth, not a tradition, not a dream—it is a glorious reality.

The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.

The Word Became Flesh:

The Body of Christ

The Word Became Flesh is how John describes the incarnation of Jesus. Incarnation is from Latin which means “in-flesh-ment.” God became flesh and lived among us.

John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

What an awesome reality! Jesus, equal with God and Creator of the universe, became a human being just like you and me. He did not merely appear as a man or “possess” the body of a man. He became just like us. This remarkable activity served to reveal the Father to us. He was Immanuel, God with us.

John 1:18  No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

Matthew 1:23 The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel“–which means, “God with us.”

If you’ve seen Jesus, you have seen the Father.

John 14:9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

No more is God to be seen as cold, detached, or far away. He is not to be identified solely through his mighty works or stories in a book. Jesus is the in-the-flesh revelation of the heart and character of God. Jesus’ compassion, love, self-sacrifice, passion, and holiness serve as a message from God about Himself. Furthermore, as a man, Jesus provides a path for us to follow.

Sunday’s lesson deals with this latter point. As followers of Jesus, we carry on his ministry to bear witness to the heart and character of God. Unlike Jesus, we are not God, but as his life is lived through ours, the word becomes flesh again through us. Consider, how the church is described.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Ephesians 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The chorus of Casting Crowns’ If We are the Body communicates well the point I wish to share.

But if we are the body

Why aren’t His arms reaching?

Why aren’t His hands healing?

Why aren’t His words teaching?

And if we are the body

Why aren’t His feet going?

Why is His love not showing them there is a way?

There is a way…