Pastor’s Page | February 12th, 2026
Sermon Prep (Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
There is an old joke that asks, “What happens when you play a country song backwards?” The answer: You get your wife, your car, your dog, and your job back. One of the reasons I like country music is that it always knows how to speak to the ills and pains of life. For example, the greatest country song ever sung is “He Stopped Loving Her Today”. How can you not feel the heartache of this poor man? Or Willie’s “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”. One of my favorite songs is “Kawliga” by Hank Jr. and it goes
Kaw-Liga was a wooden Indian standing by the door
He fell in love with an Indian maid over in the antique store
Kaw-Liga just stood there and never let it show
So she couldn’t never answer “Yes” or “No”
He always wore his Sunday feathers and held a tomahawk
The maiden wore her beads and braids and hoped some day he’d talk
Kaw-Liga, too stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart was made of knotty pine
Poor ol’ Kaw-Liga, he never got a kiss
Poor ol’ Kaw-Liga, he don’t know what he missed
Is it any wonder that his face is red?
Kaw-Liga, that poor ol’ wooden head
You are probably wondering what this has to do with anything. We are continuing in our study on 1 Corinthians 13 and we are focusing on verses 8-10 which says that “love never fails”. If “Love never fails” as Paul understood it, then we wouldn’t have country music.
I think we all have experienced a time when love failed. Not only have we had our hearts broken by some little lassie, but we know of siblings that no longer talk to each other over an inheritance, and we have seen friendships end over a difference in political opinions. We have even seen those who were supposed to be followers of Jesus Christ who are called to be known for their supernatural ability to love act in the most unloving ways toward each other. Remember, Paul is writing to a church that has been at each other’s throat, that was being selfish and spoiled. They were anything but a truly loving church.
So how can Paul say that love never fails? Either he is lying or we are misunderstanding what love is and the love that Paul is talking about. As you read these verses this week, think about the ways we understand love from a worldly perspective and contrast that to how God loves us. How is the way that we love differently from the way that God loves? How does God call us to love and how is this even possible for us?
Also, the Corinthians church was very focused on Spiritual gifts (like most churches tend to be) and they were focused on the very showy gifts and who was getting the most limelight. This would appear to have been the most important thing they were focused on in church. Yet, according to this passage, what will happen with all these things they considered so important. Yet, what is it that will never fail?
Another thing to consider is how Paul says that we only know in part. What is encouraging about this statement? Think of the greatest example of love you can think of and now consider that even with all you understand about that love, you can only grasp the depth of that love in part. How great then is God’s love for us?
Here are some more verses for you to look up and study before Sunday. John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:9–10, Ephesians 2:4–5, Titus 3:4–5, Lamentations 3:22–23, Psalm 136:1, Psalm 103:8–13, Isaiah 54:10, Deuteronomy 7:7–9, John 10:28–30, Zephaniah 3:17, Psalm 94:18–19 and Romans 8:38–39.
(Week 1)
Rewrite 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 using your name
This past week…
_____________ has been patient,
_____________ has been kind.
_____________ did not envy,
_____________ did not boast,
_____________ has not been proud.
_____________ was not rude,
_____________ was not self-seeking,
_____________ was not easily angered,
_____________ kept no record of wrongs.
_____________ did not delight in evil but rejoiced with the truth.
_____________ always protected, always trusted, always hoped, always persevered.
_____________ never failed in loving others.
(Week 2)
Rewrite 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 using Jesus’ name.
Jesus has been patient,
Jesus has been kind.
Jesus did not envy,
Jesus did not boast,
Jesus has not been proud.
Jesus was not rude,
Jesus was not self-seeking,
Jesus was not easily angered,
Jesus kept no record of wrongs.
Jesus did not delight in evil but rejoiced with the truth.
Jesus always protected, always trusted, always hoped, always persevered.
Jesus never failed in loving others.
February Sermon Series
“Living The Life of Love In An Unloving World”
02/15 - I Will Always Love You. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
02/22 - It’s the Greatest Love of All. (1 Corinthians 13:11-13)
Updates, Thoughts and More
This Sunday is our annual chili-cook off. In the previous years, I have been defeated in my attempts to be the chili champ of Acton Methodist, but I have faith that this is the year that this all changes. I hope everyone is ready for some of the best chili this side of the Mississippi (and yes…it will have beans, just like God intended.) We will have four different competitions going on that day. First, the one we are most familiar with is the church favorite. This is where everyone will be invited to vote for their favorite chili via putting their tickets in the corresponding jar. We will also be having an award for the best decorated table. We will also have an award given by a three-judge panel on the best tasting chili (no ticket stuffing, only good old-fashioned bribes.) And finally, there will be an award for the spiciest chili. It’s going to be a blast. Please come and join us for this wonderful event.
Ash Wednesday is on February 18th at 6pm. This marks the beginning of the season of Lent where we will turn our hearts towards the cross and prepare ourselves for the great news of Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is when we begin this time in prayer and repentance. We will have a time of prayer, a time of communion, and a time of the imposing of ashes representing our repentance. This is always a special and sacred service.
I wasn’t shocked by the outcome of the Superbowl, but I was a bit disappointed. Not only in that the Patriots lost (my son-in-law is a huge fan) but also that it wasn’t a close game. Worst, the ending of the Superbowl means that there will not be any meaningful football until September. Please, pray for your pastor as he sadly wonders what he will watch on the TV. Oh wait…there is still basketball!
Registration for our Upward is open. Our first game will be April 11 and will go until May 16th. If you have any questions, please go to our website to find more information.
What’s Going On This Week
Sunday (02/15)
Worship Services - 9:00am & 10:30am
Chili Cook Off and the Coronation of the Pastor as Chili Champ - 11:30am
Monday (02/16)
Stitching Angels - 1:30pm
Church Council - 6:30pm
Tuesday (02/17)
Men’s Prayer Breakfast - 7:30am
Bible Study - 10:00am
Wednesday (02/18)
Prayer Warriors - 9:00am
Sip And Share - 10:00am
Youth & Kids - 5:00pm
ASH WEDNESDAY - 6pm
Choir - 7:00pm
Thursday (02/19)
Psalms Bible Study - 9:00am
Joke of the Week
After the church service a little boy told the preacher, “When I grow up, I’m going to give you some money. ”Well, thank you,” the preacher replied, “but why?” “Because my daddy says you’re one of the poorest preachers we’ve ever had.”
Memory Verse of the Week
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
~1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV84)
Quote of the Week
“God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.”
~Jerry Bridges
