Part 3: Make It Last Forever

Real Talk: Relationships That Reflect God

Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III

February 15th, 2026

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (NKJV)

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails.

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, and penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” — Maya Angelou

Prayer: You’ve been so good, better than we’ve ever been to ourselves. We pray that Your Word will speak to us and demonstrate that love in this earth. Somebody’s life will be changed forever. We give You glory, we give You praise, in Jesus’ name. Everybody said amen.

       I.               INTRODUCTION

Real love is not just something we feel; it’s something we fight for. We live in a world where people want microwave miracles, drive-through relationships, and quick, convenient blessings, but anything that comes quick doesn’t last long. Today’s culture teaches convenience instead of covering. People want intimacy without investment.

Paul reminds us real love is rooted not in a moment but in maturity. Whatever relationship God brings—romantic, platonic, business, or friendship—its purpose is destiny. God uses relationships to help us arrive whole, not broken. Real love may not always feel good, but it ultimately works for your good.

Paul isn’t giving a poem; he’s giving a pattern. You never know if love is real until it has endured something. In a world of counterfeit love, we must look biblically. You cannot fully recognize love until you’ve experienced it in your relationship with Jesus Christ. The vertical relationship anchors every horizontal one.

   II.               THE CHARACTER OF REAL LOVE

Real love is not measured by how loud it starts but how long it stands. Culture trains us to perform love instead of practice love. Social media rewards visibility, but maturity is measured by value.

Paul says love is patient and kind because it reflects God’s nature—consistent, compassionate, committed. Emotional love is exciting, but enduring love is proven over seasons.

A.    Love That Is Loud In Emotion But Low In Endurance Will Never Last.

1. Enduring Love:
2. Stays when conversations get uncomfortable.
3. Prays when pride wants to win.
4. Works when walking away would be easier.
5. Anybody can start well, but staying requires maturity. Love built only on emotional highs collapses in emotional lows.

B.    True Love Doesn’t Just React; It Reflects God’s Nature.

1. Love is not transactional. It’s measured by the lover, not the one being loved. God loved us before we knew how to love Him. You don’t measure love by gifts or luxury—money can’t buy peace, intercession, or stability. You build love on God’s character, not culture’s trends.

III.               THE CHALLENGE OF REAL LOVE

Love is intentional. It’s daily discipline. Love will stretch you, confront selfishness, and call you to maturity. Relationships fail not because people don’t love, but because they don’t grow.

A.    Love Requires Forgiveness Even When Feelings Fade.

1. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Forgiveness isn’t optional; it’s essential. When you understand how much you’ve been forgiven, you lose the appetite to withhold forgiveness. Holding grudges is like carrying rocks—others move on while you carry the weight. God says put it down and live free.

B.    If You Only Love When It’s Easy, You’ve Never Loved When It’s Eternal.

1. Love isn’t determined by ease; it’s proven by endurance. Wedding vows say for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Real love asks: will you stay when life gets hard?

IV.               THE COMMITMENT OF REAL LOVE

Commitment means love shows up. Sacrificial love shows up regardless of circumstances. Love that lasts embraces responsibility and seeks collective growth.

A.    You Don’t Measure Love By What You Get, But By What You’re Willing To Give.

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV): “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 (NKJV): “That each of you should know how to possess your own vessel in sanctification and honor.”

1. You don’t measure love by what you receive but by what you’re willing to give. Getting makes you feel good; giving makes you become good. Intentionality matters. People will do what they want to do.
2. Women must guard their hearts—access does not equal commitment. A body cannot purchase love.
3. Men must practice discipline—manhood is proven by restraint, not conquest. Power without direction leads to destruction.

B.    Love That Lasts Doesn’t Look For Exits; It Builds Endurance.

1. Love that lasts doesn’t scan for exits; it anchors through storms. Tough seasons don’t mean something is wrong—they often mean you’re being strengthened. An anchor doesn’t stop the storm; it prevents drifting. Its strength is proven in chaos, not calm.
2. God loved you on your worst days. Nothing can separate you from His love. When your relationship with Jesus is anchored, every other relationship can stand.