The Prominence of Love
Pastor Eddie Eaton teaches from 1 Corinthians 13:1–3 that spiritual gifts and impressive acts of service are empty without Christlike love. In the setting of a divided church, Paul places love at the center of the believer’s life and ministry. Agape love is selfless, sacrificial, intentional, unselfish, and enduring—a decision expressed in action, not simply an emotion.
The message examines six things that amount to nothing without love: tongues of men and angels, prophecy, knowledge, faith, benevolence, and martyrdom. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of this love through His sacrifice on the cross. The invitation calls listeners to repentance, faith in Christ, baptism, church membership, and renewed obedience.
SERMON DETAILS
Title: The Prominence of Love
Speaker: Pastor Eddie Eaton
Date: November 1, 2026
Series: Corinthians
Primary Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1–3
Supporting passages discussed: 1 Corinthians 8:1; 12:3; 14:1, 3, 21–23; Acts 2:1–8; Galatians 5:22–23; Matthew 17:20; 21:21. The message also quotes the teaching that love fulfills the law (Romans 13:8–10), love identifies Jesus’ disciples (John 13:34–35), and God gave His Son in love (John 3:16).
SERVICE OUTLINE
Times are approximate navigation markers in the full service recording.
00:00 Preservice announcements and countdown
06:22 Welcome and Fall Festival thanks
07:41 Opening and offering prayer
08:40 Piano offertory — Give Thanks (Ruth Spangler)
11:49 Scripture introduction to Christ Our Majesty
13:03 Christ Our Majesty — worship and fellowship
17:12 Children’s offering introduction
17:30 Count Your Blessings — verses 1, 2, and 4
20:12 Introduction to Great Is Thy Faithfulness
20:47 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
26:01 Soloist testimony and introduction
26:53 Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me — Warren Waggett; congregational reprise
31:11 Sermon — The Prominence of Love
39:11 Reading of 1 Corinthians 13:1–3
41:08 The meaning of agape love
49:10 Tongues without love are nothing
57:52 Prophecy without love is nothing
59:24 Knowledge without love is nothing
1:00:58 Faith without love is nothing
1:03:00 Benevolence without love is nothing
1:06:15 Martyrdom without love is nothing
1:19:46 Invitation to respond
1:20:13 Invitation prayer
1:22:22 Just As I Am — invitation hymn
1:26:49 Closing announcements
1:28:08 Closing prayer
1:29:40 Postlude at WBC — organ, Ruth Spangler
WORSHIP SCRIPTURES
The introduction to Christ Our Majesty draws on John 1:1–3; Luke 24:27; John 17:17; Psalm 119:105, 130; Matthew 24:35; and Isaiah 40:8. The closing prayer recalls Jesus as the faithful and true witness (Revelation 3:14).
Topics: Love, Agape Love, Spiritual Gifts, Christian Service, Faith, Church Unity, Fruit of the Spirit, Giving, Sacrifice, Salvation