I Love My Church

Sure, you’re a member of the church, you may have a designated role within your church, you may even sing in the choir. That’s fantastic (especially considering my less-than joyful noise ability, I sure am glad we have those that can make a joyful noise for the Lord) but, do you know to your core that you love your church? I mean do you truly love it? For example, can you say without a doubt that you enjoy and embrace the people that make up your church and that you engage the visitors that you are hosting? While I am sure each of us would like to think that we do, if we are honest with ourselves, we could all grow in this area. Also, it is important to realize that we aren’t just talking about the building that you gather in, the church is made up of its people and we need to focus on loving ALL of God’s people.

Think about it, can we honestly say that we engage or go out of our way for those we may not have a ton in common with? Are we quick to jump up and help when there is nothing in it for us, especially when our plate is already full of so many other things, both inside and outside of church?  I hope that you answered that honestly.

In Week One of the I Love My Church Sermon Series, Pastor B.K. took us through a variety of real-life scenarios to help us examine where our hearts are. And, whether we are truly loving others as Jesus commands? Keep in mind, this love is to be given without prejudice, without hesitation, not because they fit into a specific box that we like to put others in, but merely because Jesus commands this of us as his disciples here on earth.

 Take a Look at:

John 13: 34-35

³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

As we listened to Pastor give his examples, there was laughter due to his silly nature and some of the completely relatable scenarios. While his delivery was funny and engaging, humility creeps in as you realize, you’ve been that person in those scenarios that gripes to/about the waiter or tips them less due to your expectation of how you should be served. This is when we realize that “Hey! I’ve not been loving others as Jesus has loved me through my many less-than stellar moments!”.  This was a good heart shaking that many of us needed to hear. We often tend to get too comfortable or put ourselves above others, take control of things when we really just need to sit back and let others be a part of things too.

Jesus shed his blood on calvary for all of us. Whether we are a good planner, good singer, good cook, have a good job or are barely making it in life and still trying to gain momentum, as Christians, that same blood covers each of us who’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. There are no other stipulations. No one person is covered by the blood any more or less than another. When you let that sink in, you can then truly love anyone through anything. You don’t have to like their sins, but it’s important to note that they don’t have to like yours either. We are all sinners and like it or not, sin is sin.  But, with Jesus in our hearts, we can love on others as He truly commands us to do.

Would you consider going down this sobering, yet exhilarating road with us? Oak Hill Baptist is a church made up of imperfect people that are looking to learn and grow in our relationship with the Lord and are ready to welcome and worship with you!