Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explore God's unconditional love, our responsibility to love and correct each other as church members, and the transformative power of forgiveness.
Good morning, beloved family of God!
As Max Lucado once said, "God loves you simply because He has chosen to do so. He loves you when you don't feel lovely. He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you always. No matter what." This profound understanding of God's love sets the stage for our sermon today, which circles around God's symphony of love, the responsibility of loving church members, and the power of forgiveness.
Let’s read from the book of Matthew, chapter 18, verses 15 to 20,
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
God's symphony of love is a beautiful metaphor that captures the essence of God's love for us. Just as a symphony is composed of different instruments, each playing their unique part to create a harmonious melody, God's love is multifaceted, encompassing all aspects of our lives, working together to create a beautiful masterpiece of grace and mercy.
Its unconditional nature: This is the kind of love that doesn't depend on our actions or behavior. It is not earned or deserved, but freely given. God loves us not because of who we are, but because of who He is. His love is not based on our worthiness, but on His character. This is a love that pursues us even when we are unlovable, a love that remains steadfast even when we are unfaithful. It is a love that is constant, unwavering, and unchanging.
Its sacrificial nature: This is the kind of love that gives without expecting anything in return. It is a love that is willing to give up everything, even to the point of death, for the sake of the beloved. This is the love that God demonstrated when He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. It is a love that is willing to pay the ultimate price for our redemption.
Its transformative nature: This is the kind of love that changes us from the inside out. It is a love that heals, restores, and makes us new. When we experience God's love, we are not the same. His love transforms our hearts, our minds, and our lives. It changes our perspective, our priorities, and our purpose. It is a love that brings out the best in us, a love that enables us to become the people God created us to be.
Its inclusive nature: This is the kind of love that embraces everyone, regardless of their race, gender, age, or social status. It is a love that does not discriminate or show favoritism. God's love is for everyone, and He invites everyone to experience it. His love is wide enough to include all people, deep enough to reach the most broken, high enough to lift us up, and long enough to last for eternity.
Each aspect plays its unique part, but they all harmonize together to create a symphony of love that is greater than the sum of its parts.
The responsibility of loving church members is a call to action for every believer to not only love God but also to love their fellow church members ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO