On November 6, 1973, Brother Stephen delivered a ministry in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on the importance of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. He emphasized that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are meaningless. Love is portrayed as a divine quality that transcends natural affection, essential for the unity and functioning of the body of Christ. Stephen explained that the spiritual realm requires believers to recognize Christ as the head and themselves as members of His body, fostering a relationship built on love. He highlighted that love is patient, kind, and devoid of jealousy or pride, serving as the binding force among diverse members of the church. The ministry also discussed the necessity of being filled with the Holy Spirit to manifest this love, which is crucial for the church's growth and harmony. Stephen concluded by urging believers to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to cultivate a life of love, which is the greatest of all virtues and essential for the church's mission.
Introduction to the ministry and prayer for transformation.
Importance of love in spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13).
Love as a divine quality, essential for unity in the body of Christ.
Recognition of Christ as the head and believers as members of His body.
Characteristics of love: patience, kindness, absence of jealousy and pride.
Need for the Holy Spirit to manifest love in the church.
Conclusion: Seeking the Holy Spirit for a life of love as the greatest virtue.
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.