WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF

CHRIST

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1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there

are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. (9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that

which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spoke

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 in a mirror, dimly, but

then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (13) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of

these is love.

AFTER ALL ELSE FAILS,

WHAT REMAINS?

AFTER ALL ELSE FAILSA. When all else fails…

1.When all else fails, stop using "all else".2.When all else fails, learn from the experience and

then move on. 3.When all else fails, God doesn't. 4.When all else fails take a nap.5.When all else fails read the instructions.6.When all else fails start running.7.When all else fails pray.8.When all else fails smile.9.When all else fails blame someone else.

AFTER ALL ELSE FAILSB. Some spend their life pursuing miracles, power, and gifts;

however, the great pursuits of life are faith, hope and love. C. Since these are so important, we see them emphasized

over and over in scripture. 1. 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love,

these three; but the greatest of these is love. 2. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering without ceasing your

work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

AFTER ALL ELSE FAILS4. Galatians 5:5-6 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for

the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

5. 1 Peter 1:21-22 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

6. Colossians 1:4-5 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

AFTER ALL ELSE FAILSD. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even

though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18) while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

E. Colossians 3:1-3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

F. What is the focus of your Christian life? What do you really want more than anything?

I. FAITH MAKES THINGS POSSIBLE. A. Faith is belief and trust; it's believing in the facts of the

gospel and trusting in them to save. Paul tells us that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).

B. Faith and character are intimately related. C. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments

of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need.

D. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. "Substance", from hypostasis, means, "a setting or placing under, thing put under, substructure, foundation, under-girding."

I. FAITH MAKES THINGS POSSIBLE. E. It's the same as the rock upon which the "wise

man" built his house (Matt. 7:24). F. By faith, Abraham stood strong (Rom. 4:20), G. Moses led strong (Heb. 11:24-28), H. Elijah spoke strong (1 Kings 18:21), I. Joseph lived strong (Gen. 39:12) and J. Joshua chose strong (Joshua 24:15). K. Faith makes all things possible.

II. HOPE MAKES THINGS BRIGHT. A. The word "hope" means, "anxious expectation."

B. Hope is the confident expectation of divine blessing.

C. Hope is singular in nature ("one hope of your calling" Eph. 4:4).

D. Hope has its reasons 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

II. HOPE MAKES THINGS BRIGHT. E. Peter tells us that was have been born again to a

"living hope" (1 Peter 1:3). F. If you have hope for the future, there will be power

to live each day. G. SONG: "When the days are weary; the long nights

dreary, I know my Savior cares.H. " The blessing of hope on this side of eternity is that

it serves as the "anchor for our soul!' (Heb. 6:19). I. The stability that hope gives us in this life is

characterized by the words "sure and steadfast." Therefore, hope makes all things bright.

III. LOVE MAKES THINGS EASY. A. The word "love" is from agape, which means, "good

will, benevolence, wanting the best for the one loved."

B. "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love."

C. Homes will grow strong when love leads the way. D. Friendships will blossom when love runs deep. E. Churches will shine bright when love leavens the

whole lump. F. It has been said: "The supreme happiness of life is the

conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather loved in spite of ourselves."

III. LOVE MAKES THINGS EASY. G. What is love?

1. It is silence—when your words would hurt. 2. It is patience—when your neighbor's curt. 3. It is deafness—when a scandal flows. 4. It is thoughtfulness—for other's woes.5. It is promptness—when stern duty calls. 6. It is courage—when misfortune falls

H. Helen Keller. “I remember the morning that I first asked the meaning of the word ‘love.’ Miss Sullivan put her arm gently round me and spelled into my hand, ‘I love Helen.’”

WHAT WILL REMAIN?

A. One day we will close our eyes and sleep, but when we awake faith will be sight, hope will be reality and love will remain.

B. The greatest of these is love.C. How is your love doing?

1. For God?2. For others?