Unleash Love

As our Community Group was walking through Acts 19 this past Wednesday, one of the questions was, “Why does this world system react so aggressively towards Christianity when it shares the gospel?  Why is the hatred sometimes so palpable and intense?”  Some concluded that Christians have, at times, brought it on themselves because of their hypocrisy (which has been true at times).  Others concluded that it is a conflict in values that creates the intensity (which is also true).  But, at the end of the day, the “why?” question was replaced with the “how do we respond?” question.  And the guys in the group responded in unison - “Love”. 

One piece of our overall vision is to “unleash love”.  I wanted to use a phrase like “unleash love” rather than “be loving” or “show love” because the best way to be the church and preach the gospel is to as aggressively love our community as we do everything else. 

Evangelism is really quite simple.  Understand your message, speak it clearly and live a life of love that counters any antipathy that Christianity might have incurred.

Forgiveness

As we finish up the Gospel of John today (and a recap next week), it is important to see how John ends his gospel.

You could have stopped at John 20:30-31 and no one would have noticed the loss of John 21. But, in John 21, we see a critical loose end that needs to be tied up - Peter has betrayed Jesus and needs restoration! One wise man said that in order for true forgiveness to happen, the person who broke trust needs to come with one gift to the one offended - truthfulness. I can tell you personally how tempting it is to deal with someone who hurt you by just getting past things quickly so you can both move on. But, the truth is, without that kind of honest resolution, you will not have the kind of relationship God intends for you and I to have. It is the harder way, for sure. But, we are called to a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Make sure that you take time this today to pray over any broken relationships you currently have. Ask God to open some doors and show you how to start moving in that direction… and heal.

Atonement, Power, and Faith

I was fascinated by some of the little details that John includes in John 20. John includes these so that we will think about the three appearances that Jesus makes after the resurrection.

Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene after she sees the empty tomb as a picture of atonement.

Jesus appears to the disciples and offers the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, Jesus appears to Thomas and offers answers to his lack of faith.

Atonement, power and faith. What an important trio! Here are three things that John would like us to know about what we have in Christ. We have atonement through Christ - we have been cleansed and brought back to God. We also have power - through the Holy Spirit to be effective in ministry. And we have faith - a belief that leads us to obedience when obedience seems so counter-intuitive.

Here is where the resurrection meets us directly and John wants us to see how this truth transforms life!

Blossom Super Serve

Thanks to the 250+ of our Fellowship family who helped out at the Blossom Festival Super Serve.

There were some really great stories that came out of the weekend and I wanted to highlight one of them for you. One of our folks was buying gift certificates for food at a local restaurant to pass out to people as a simple act of Christian love when the owner came out and asked what was going on. Our volunteer explained that our church family was serving the community and he asked, “Well, are you with so-and-so’s church?” Our volunteer had a great response. “We love them, we agree with their Christian beliefs, but we want to spend as much energy going out to people as we do drawing people into our church on Sundays.”

Couldn’t have said it better! We want people to come and worship with us, but we know that to do that, we need to go to them, live in their world, serve at their festivals, love them as we love ourselves and show, truly, our love for God, for Jesus!! After all, by doing that, we are simply acting as Jesus acted!! 

Way to go, church!