
St Jude's Southsea
What remains? Faith, hope and love β 1 Corinthians 13 (David Bacon)
This talk was given by David Bacon, a church wardens at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 20 September 2026. The reading was 1 Corinthians 13. The talk explores Paul's well-known chapter on love, written to the church in Corinth, and connects it to St Jude's vision: To make Jesus the heart of Southsea through growing faith, offering hope and sharing God's love. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 13:13 β "these three remain: faith, hope and love" β David considers what has endured through 175 years of the church's history, and what truly lasts in the Christian life. David makes three points: Faith and love go together, because faith without love is worthless, however impressive our gifts; hope and love go together, because patient, kind, persevering love offers real hope to people who have rarely experienced it; and eternity and love go together, because while prophecy and knowledge will pass away, love never fails. He closes with St Jerome's story of the elderly Apostle John, who simply repeated, "Little children, love one another," and with an invitation: Whether your faith feels like it is flickering, your hope feels dead, or your love feels defective, come to Jesus β the ultimate example of faith, hope and love. A thoughtful listen for anyone reflecting on what really matters, whether familiar with church or not.


