"The Most Excellent Way" | GOOD NEWS

"The Most Excellent Way" | GOOD NEWS - Week 7 | September 27th, 2026 In Week 7 of the Good News series, Pastor Jason Britt dives into 1 Corinthians 13 - a passage often used for wedding ceremonies, but originally written as "combat theology" to address a spiritual culture playing a game of spiritual one-upsmanship. The Corinthian believers were confusing giftedness with godliness, using their spiritual talents as personal trophies rather than tools to build up others. Discover why spiritual gifts, impressive platforms, and costly sacrifices mean nothing without agape love - and how shifting from "what makes me stand out" to "how can I serve others" unlocks the most excellent way to live out your faith. 💡 Key Takeaways: • Giftedness vs. Godliness: Possessing spiritual gifts, deep biblical knowledge, or an impressive platform does not automatically equal spiritual maturity; true maturity is always marked by love. • Agape Love Defined: Unlike emotional or romantic feelings, agape love is a settled commitment to seek another person's good through self-denial and intentional action. • Building Others Up: The defining ethic of a follower of Jesus is turning what God has given you - time, influence, resources, experience - into good for someone else. • Love Moves Toward Needs: Love isn't just an emotional feeling or admiring compassion from afar. True Christian love moves toward practical needs in our communities - even when they’re messy. • The Reflection of Christ: 1 Corinthians 13 ultimately paints a picture of Jesus - He is patient, kind, keeps no record of wrongs, and never fails us. ✝️ Scripture References: • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 • 1 Corinthians 12:31 • 1 Corinthians 14:1 • John 13:34-35 • 1 John 4:8 📌 Timestamps: • 00:00 - Welcome & The Clanging Cymbal Illustration • 03:12 - 1 Corinthians 13 in Context: Combat Theology, Not Just a Wedding Passage • 05:44 - Celebrating How Bethlehem Church Loves (Teacher Appreciation & Buffalo Church) • 07:54 - Reading 1 Corinthians 13:1–3 (Gifts Without Love Gain Nothing) • 10:50 - The Problem: Confusing Giftedness with Godliness • 13:44 - Reading 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (The Characteristics of Love) • 14:51 - The Principle: Love Builds Others Up (Exploring Agape Love) • 18:04 - Love in Everyday Life: Dealing with Difficult People • 21:55 - Emotion vs. Action: Love Moves Toward Needs • 24:28 - The Path: Turning What God Gave You into Good for Others • 27:30 - Pastoral Reflection: Choosing Helpful Over Clever • 31:05 - Guest Testimony: The Albers Family on Fostering & Agape Love • 37:23 - Supporting Foster & Adoptive Families at Bethlehem Church • 41:08 - Replacing "Love" with "Jesus" in 1 Corinthians 13 • 44:03 - Gospel Invitation & Salvation Prayer • 47:10 - Closing Prayer Over Those Called to Love in Hard Seasons 📲 Download the new Bethlehem Church App to stay connected, access resources, and take your next step with us today! 🔗 Connect With Us: • First Time? We'd love to know more about you. Click this link to let us know you’re watching! https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.c... • If you want to take your next step with Jesus, please click here: https://wearebethlehem.churchcenter.c... • We’d be honored to pray for you! Visit https://bethlehemchurch.us/prayer-wall/ to post your prayer request. • Give Online: Support the ministry of Bethlehem Church at https://bethlehemchurch.us/give/ 🗓️ Stay Up-To-Date: • Website: https://bethlehemchurch.us/ • Facebook:   / bethlehemchurchga   • Instagram:   / bethlehem_churchga   #BethlehemChurch #GoodNewsSeries #1Corinthians13 #PastorJasonBritt #TheMostExcellentWay #AgapeLove #SpiritualGifts #Faith #Sermon2026 #ChurchOnline