WELCOME to the 4th installment of our series, Messy Saints, where we investigate the five troubles in the Corinth church.

The first was how they were forming cliques. Second was bragging about sexual sin. Third was fighting about food offered to idols. And their fourth problem—our talk for today—is they had gifted but divisive members.

So, Talk 4 is titled Gifted but Divisive. In 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10, Paul says the people of Corinth are gifted. These guys were speakers, healers, prophets, discerners, tongue-interpreters, miracle workers.

But behind all their problems is one big problem: Pride was dividing their community.

So, Paul tells them what the Corinthians need is Love for one another–defining Love in his letter to them in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8-13 and 14:1 NLT—one of the most popular passages in the entire Bible and perhaps the most beautiful literature on love. The passage is usually quoted during weddings. But Paul is not simply talking about romantic love.

The key message of Talk 4 is Love is your highest goal.