Church of Christ at Catarman, Pk Repolyo, Liloan

18/01/2026

𝐏𝐀𝐔𝐋’𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐂𝐇 (1 Cor. 13)
Bro. Jozel Grant Aguilar
January 18, 2026

LOOKING AHEAD TO 206
As we make plans for 2026, we naturally think about goals, security, and success.
But an important question confronts us: Have we included God and His church in our plans, or have we grown indifferent toward them?
Our priorities reveal what truly matters to us.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE CHURCH IS
The church is not just a building or an institution—it is the congregation, the people of God.
In Acts 9, Saul persecuted the church, showing that to harm believers was to oppose Christ Himself.
This emphasizes how deeply God identifies with His people.

PAUL’S DEEP CARE FOR THE BRETHREN
The New Testament is largely shaped by Paul’s letters, highlighting his central role in strengthening the church.
In his letters, Paul consistently demonstrated love and concern for the brethren:
Introductions that affirmed faith
Bodies of the letters that instructed, corrected, and encouraged.
Salutations filled with personal affection and concern
His writings reveal a shepherd’s heart for the church.

LOVE AS THE GREATEST GIFT
Paul spoke extensively about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, but he made it clear that love is the greatest.
In 1 Corinthians 13, he taught that without love, even the greatest abilities are empty—
“We become like a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”
Paul’s call, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ,” shows that love must be modeled, not merely taught.

LOVE IN ACTION: BEYOND WORDS
Love is not limited to kind words or affirmation.
True love includes the courage to correct a brother or sister when they fall into sin.
Paul addressed difficult issues such as:
Divorce
Adultery
Lawsuits among brethren
Correction, when done in love, is an act of care—not condemnation.

REJOICING AND GRATITUDE IN THE CHURCH
In Philippians 4, Paul commands believers to rejoice always, even in hardship.
In Philippians 4:10, Paul expressed sincere gratitude to the Philippian church for supporting him throughout his ministry.
Their generosity was a response to the love and care Paul had shown them.

LOVE THAT SEEKS RECONCILIATION
The story of Onesimus illustrates how love works toward reconciliation.
Paul lovingly mediated restoration, showing that Christian love heals broken relationships.
Because Paul cared deeply for the brethren, they, in turn, showed genuine care for him.

APPLICATION
Do we truly love the church?
Are we actively edifying one another?
Are we forgiving one another as Christ forgave us?
Do we lovingly correct one another when necessary?

The challenge before us is clear:
How can we intentionally show love for the church in our daily lives?