Movies, TV, and pretty much every form of media have been used to great effect to desensitize us towards sin. Years ago, you may have turned off a show for its portrayal of a sinful lifestyle, but now you just accept it as the norm, even if you don’t agree with it. As Pastor Ron will warn in today’s message, we need to be careful what we feed our minds. Even if you know you won’t participate in the sin shown on screen, it normalizes it, making it easier to brush it off and see it as harmless.

Most of us have experienced that – we take that big family photo and we finally get one where everyone has a bright, beautiful smile and the kids are all actually looking at the camera, but then there you are with our eyes half closed and you want to throw out the only good picture because you don’t look your best. As Pastor Ron will point out in today’s message, while that’s a low-stakes example, when the stakes are higher, are you willing to take a hit for your family or friends? What about your enemies?

We’re all born with that insatiable need to serve self. This is further encouraged by a society that embraces the idea that we need to “take care of number one” first and foremost. The Kingdom that Jesus came to establish in our hearts and prepare for us in eternity operates differently. It’s built on selfless love. As Pastor Ron will illustrate in today’s message, we are called to give of ourselves for the sake of the people around us. Not just the people who love us in return, but even our enemies. 

Being kind isn’t always easy. There are people in this world who seem like they’re always angry, and they take it out on everyone around them. It may feel completely futile to treat them with kindness when it’s hard to imagine them changing their attitude and behavior. But, as Pastor Ron will remind us in today’s message, the love that we read about in 1st Corinthians chapter 13 is selfless. We’re called to serve others even when we know all we’re going to get in return is hatred and abuse.

Whew, what a potent illustration! That’s all envy ever accomplishes for us, isn’t it? It leads us down a path of futile effort and striving that only ends in destruction. As Pastor Ron continues our study of the “love chapter” – 1st Corinthians chapter 13 – we’ll be reminded of the danger of envy. It can’t exist in tandem with love. If you allow the love of Christ to fill your heart and guide your thoughts, you’ll find joy in seeing the success and blessings others around you experience.

If you go out on the street and start asking people what love is, you’ll get a wide range of answers. Many will struggle to put it into words. A predominant way of thought in our society is that love is a feeling you get when you’re around a significant person in your life. But, as Pastor Ron examines 1st Corinthians thirteen in today’s message, we’ll be reminded that God is love and the love we share as human beings is a verb. It’s something we choose to do – it’s not just a feeling that comes and goes.

Are you just making annoying noises as you live out your Christian life? Perhaps you’re blaring Christian radio as you drive down the street. Maybe you’re sporting the latest in Christian apparel as you walk around town, posting Scripture memes, or maybe you’re even handing out tracts to people you meet. None of those things are bad, but as we’ll be reminded in today’s message from Pastor Ron, if you aren’t living out the love of Christ, these things are just noise. 

What is love? I apologize if that automatically brings a certain popular song to mind. The truth is, there’s a long list of songs that may pop into your head when you think about love. Our culture loves love, but do they really understand what it is? As Pastor Ron will point out in today’s message, modern culture would teach that love is all about what you feel when you’re around a certain person. It’s all about you. That’s not the love we find in Scripture; it’s not an emotion, and it’s not self-centered.  

Have you ever looked at your Bible and thought, “Is this a sword in my hand?” Many people view Jesus as a great teacher, while others see Christianity as simply good advice. However, the Bible possesses real power—behind each word lies the strength of God. Whatever challenges you face in life can be addressed using that Book. Today, Pastor Ron encourages you to see your Bible as more than just good advice; it is a sword that can cut through evil, a shield against the world's harm, and a resting place for all who are weary.

This world can be both kind and challenging. One moment, we might find ourselves confused, and the next, we gain clarity that connects us with God. However, we sometimes cling to emotions from our confusion, and even when we open our spiritual eyes, we may still experience hurt. How can we manage these feelings that might lead us to sin? In today’s message, Pastor Ron encourages you to let go of anything from your past. Surrender it to God and allow Him to free you from those burdens.