So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

The sermon which follows is an imaginary letter received from the apostle Paul, written to the church in America. It seeks to put a much-loved and all-too-familiar text into a new (though thoroughly Biblical) context. If the language of this letter falls short of the inspiration and glory of the original, please blame the preacher who stands before you and not the apostle in whose name he writes. The letter reads as follows ...

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Jesus. To the church in America, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together in the new society of Christ’s church, which will reveal the glory of God for all to see:

Grace to you and peace from God …