Pastor Wayne's World
1 Corinthians 13, usually read at weddings, is known as the "Love Chapter" and is my favorite chapter in the Bible. It has brought on more prominent importance to me since the Christian singing group For King and Country released the song "The Proof of Your Love,” which is based on this chapter. Near the end of the song, the lead singer quotes from The Message, verses 1-7 of Chapter 13.
"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love."
You see, without love we can't really fulfill the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20.
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Go, make disciples of ALL nations. Not some nations, not some of the people, not certain ones-- but all. In order for us to heed Christ’s command to disciple everyone, we first have to follow the two greatest commandments that Jesus taught us. These are found in Mark 12:30-31.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
We are to love God first, and then love others--without reservations, without condition. We are to love everyone with everything we have to offer. We can’t love just those who are in our comfort zone; we are also commanded to love those who are dirty or smelly, have different values and beliefs, or don’t look like us. We are all created by God, and God loves us without conditions or restrictions. Can we extend that
unconditional love to others?
So what is unconditional love? Let’s check out Matthew 5:43-48.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Pray for our enemies? Love our enemies? Yes, that is what Jesus tells us to do, to love ALL. In order to truly make disciples, we have to love people. People come into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ only through a loving relationship with another human being. You see, people will only follow Christ if they see the change in our lives. People come to church based on relationships. According to many of the studies out there on church and church attendance, people attend church not because of the building, the preaching, the music, or the programs, but because of relationships! People attend church because someone loved them so much that they invited them to share in this awesome relationship that they have with Christ!
I start every day with the same recitation, "So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” In this new year, let us resolve to love ALL and to make disciples of ALL. With that in our minds and hearts, we can continue to be true followers of Jesus Christ.
Happy New Year!
Peace and Blessings!
Pastor Wayne
"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love."
You see, without love we can't really fulfill the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20.
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Go, make disciples of ALL nations. Not some nations, not some of the people, not certain ones-- but all. In order for us to heed Christ’s command to disciple everyone, we first have to follow the two greatest commandments that Jesus taught us. These are found in Mark 12:30-31.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
We are to love God first, and then love others--without reservations, without condition. We are to love everyone with everything we have to offer. We can’t love just those who are in our comfort zone; we are also commanded to love those who are dirty or smelly, have different values and beliefs, or don’t look like us. We are all created by God, and God loves us without conditions or restrictions. Can we extend that
unconditional love to others?
So what is unconditional love? Let’s check out Matthew 5:43-48.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Pray for our enemies? Love our enemies? Yes, that is what Jesus tells us to do, to love ALL. In order to truly make disciples, we have to love people. People come into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ only through a loving relationship with another human being. You see, people will only follow Christ if they see the change in our lives. People come to church based on relationships. According to many of the studies out there on church and church attendance, people attend church not because of the building, the preaching, the music, or the programs, but because of relationships! People attend church because someone loved them so much that they invited them to share in this awesome relationship that they have with Christ!
I start every day with the same recitation, "So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” In this new year, let us resolve to love ALL and to make disciples of ALL. With that in our minds and hearts, we can continue to be true followers of Jesus Christ.
Happy New Year!
Peace and Blessings!
Pastor Wayne