When Love Grows Cold

Strangers Rest, you have come a long way in 99 years and a lot of those years were activated, energized, and existed through love. People cared about one another, and they cared about this Church family. I am not saying that as a corporate body that does not exist today, but what I am saying is that we must reignite the flame that might have cooled over time. I am not concerned about how the community sees this Church. I am concerned about how this Church sees itself and how we treat one another. Every member here must choose to move beyond all perceived hurts, anger, distrust, resentment, and every other negative feeling and/or emotion that represents where you are or were versus where you are going. Some of you might believe that there are no problems at all and that everything is fine, but is that really the case? I want to speak to every heart present here today and watching via live stream. You know how you feel about Strangers Rest and the people in it. You know some of the history and you know how you felt years ago when you were here. Do you feel the same way now? Do you have the same excitement? Do you feel the same love burning within you? If you cannot positively answer each of these questions, then something within you has changed. Your love might be growing cold. Please do not let it go out. Reignite the love of God that is flowing through you. If you remember nothing else from this message, remember this: Jesus said, “(35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) If your love is failing then you must ask yourself if you still belong to Christ. If you cannot treat one another with love and do what Jesus said, can you honestly say you belong to Him – the One you are refusing to obey? If you cannot honestly affirm this, then now is the time to repent. Now is the time to turn things around. So, everyone please stand and repeat this after me. “Father, I thank you for your abundant love and mercy for me and that your heart’s desire is for me to spend an eternity with you. God, I want that too. If my love for you has been growing cold, please forgive me. I know that within my heart, I do love you and today I commit myself to showing your love in everything I say and in everything I do. Amen.”

Until next time, “The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)