February, 2006
For God so loved to world...
For God so loved the world, that He gave His One and Only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) That is the most concise, but all encompassing and greatest love story ever written. “For God SO LOVED…” just about says it all. Where would you and I be without God’s love? Where will those around us be if we don’t share God’s love with them? One thing is for sure, they won’t be prepared to meet the God of eternity. Our Mission Statement says that our purpose and mission as a church is ”… to demonstrate God’s love to all people, leading them to embrace Jesus Christ, and helping them grow to maturity in Him.” The incredibly generous and sacrificial love of God given through His Son, Jesus Christ, must then translate into active expressions of love for one another and love for others around us in our world and our area of influence!! A few weeks ago, I preached from Jude verses 20-23. These verses call us to be ”built up in the most holy faith, to keep ourselves in God’s love and to be merciful to those who doubt.” We were challenged to look inside, look upward, and look outward in order to fulfill the mission God has given us. As we give attention to our inner relationship with God and keep focused on Jesus and then reach out to all who still need to experience God’s love, we can get worn out, so the Apostle Paul challenged us in Galatians 6:9 to ”… not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP.” One of the things we must never give up on is finding ways to show and express God’s love to one another as believers and to others who still do not know Him. Galatians 6:10 says, ”Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” The Message, by Eugene Peterson, says it this way: ”Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” How do we “demonstrate God’s Love?” We do that by ”loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves.” (Matthew 22:38-39) We also “demonstrate God’s love” by giving generously of our time, our spiritual gifts, and our financial resources for the cause of Christ and His church. February is sometimes called the “love month” because of Valentine’s Day, so as you think about how you will express your love to someone special in your life, don’t forget to include God, His church, the Christians around you, and all who still need to know Christ as their Savior. I REALLY DO LOVE AND APPRECIATE EACH ONE OF YOU and I thank God for you! I look forward to seeing you each Sunday to celebrate God’s wonderful love as we worship Him together.
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