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We are called to love as Jesus loves us, but how do we live that out? How do we truly show love to our neighbors, to one another, and even to our enemies? Jesus demonstrated His love by giving everything—laying down His very life so we could find life in Him. That’s the heart of love: sacrificial, selfless, and life-giving.
Did you know we can still be me-centered when we serve others? We could be focused on the “thank you” more than the thanksgiving of serving with the hands and feet of Christ. Jesus stated, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28. Jesus served with mercy. He is our example. He showed us what is required in service to others— to give not only of yourself, but to have mercy guide our hearts while we serve.
There was an urgency in Jesus’ statement, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Why? Because He calls us out into the dark world to bring the light of His life, death, and resurrection so that all may know the salvation of the Lord through no other means than Jesus Christ. Let us have the same eagerness to sit down with the Ones in our lives that need to know the Lord’s suffering in order for them to have a relationship with God.
So much of what we do is empty without the love of Jesus fueling our actions. Throughout his life on earth, Jesus consistently showed compassion to others. That’s because Jesus is real and He invites us to follow his pattern of consistency in ways we live out our love for the people God puts in our paths. Jesus’ example invites us to make love and service part of our everyday life.
If you think back over your week, there probably was a time when you forgot something. Maybe it was you forgot to pick up something at the store. You forgot to say something to a friend or co-worker. Or even, you forgot a special day. Memorial Day is that day that reminds us to remember. Remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms. We have a pattern of forgetfulness. Maybe its in how fast paced our lives have become but we not only forget the simple things we forget the all important spiritual things in our lives. This weekend, we will gather to remember and worship the God who remembers.
Let me ask you a question; What motivated God to send His Son to go to the cross to redeem us? (insert Jeopardy theme song here!) It was out of His great love for us that God sent His Son. God’s love when coupled with positive action shows how the redemptive love of the Father also is compassionate love for His children. We begin our series in Lent “God’s Love is Shown” by touching base on what is redemptive love and how we as Christians can show compassionate love toward others. We have been saved to love as He loved.
When you hear the word surrender what does that mean for you? Does it mean giving up on something or does it mean giving it all to God to orchestrate? When we live fully surrendered to God, we trust Him so much so that our finances, our family, our job situation, our home, our car, our everything is given to Him for the benefit and blessing in our lives for us and for others. We gather once again to remember that Jesus is central to all of our daily living.
The first church knew that love meant sacrifice. They used their time, talents, and treasures to make sure that everyone’s needs were met in their congregation. They shared what they had, and because of their love, no one among them was needy. They relied on godliness to make them content. The generosity of the church in meeting all the needs among them allowed the apostles to preach with great power. The actions of the church, their willingness to give of themselves bore witness to the change that Jesus could bring to a life.
Easter is over— or is it? The resurrection of Jesus brings us new life, eternal life for those who believe in Him and that’s the truth of what God's word says. In today’s culture it is difficult to determine the truth because of all the messages that we are receiving and yet as a believer, we know the truth and are called to declare the truth of Jesus Christ, His life, death, and resurrection. Easter is not over, it is only the beginning for us to move out and declare His truth!
As we continue with our Places of the Passion Sermon Series, we find ourselves at Golgotha (the place of the skull) or we may know it as Calvary (Latin meaning skull). The cross is never easy. It is repulsive and ugly. A symbol of the worst kind of torture, injustice, and brutality. And yet it is the central symbol of our faith. Join us as we venture to the cross and find there faith and love intersecting and announcing triumph.
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