Marks of a Family: Love
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I wonder if any of you have made this mistake. Have you ever walked into Target dressed like I am today? Does anyone know why it is a bad idea? I am dressed like one of their employees. Red shirt, khaki pants. I know, now they can wear jeans, but still, you are asking to be asked questions if you wear a red shirt into target.
What about this? Anyone recognize what it is? This is a Ray Lewis #52 Ravens Jersey that my in-laws gave me. Why do people wear jerseys of sports teams? To identify with the team. If you saw me wearing this shirt you would know that I am rooting for them to beat the Giants today!
How about in your life? Maybe you wear or wore a uniform for your job. Some of you who served in the armed forces carry yourself in such a way that it is obvious that you served. I have a friend who can spot a marine from across the room by the way the sit, stand, and walk. In much the same way the world should be able to look at us and identify us as disciples of Jesus.
Let’s turn to John chapter 13 verse 34.
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Un mandamiento nuevo os doy: Que os améis unos a otros; como yo os he amado, que también os améis unos a otros.
En esto conocerán todos que sois mis discípulos, si tuviereis amor los unos con los otros.
Jesus tells us that everyone will know that we are his disciples if we love one another. This of course begs the question, how do we show this love to each other? As Jesus has loved us!
As I thought about how Jesus loved his disciples I came up with this list:
How do we love one another?
¿Como nos amarnos unos a otros?
Encourage / Animándonos
Pray / Orando
Fellowship / Compañerismo
Serve / Sirviendo
Teach / Enseñando
We encourage each other. We see in Acts 9:31 that the church was encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 3:13 tells us to”encourage each other daily.” We need to be about encouraging one another because we love each other.
In John 17 John records one of Jesus’ prayers for his disciples. Just as Jesus prayed for us because of his love for us we should be praying for each other. I would argue that it should not only be prayer at a distance. John recorded this prayer because Jesus prayed it where it could be heard! One of the most amazing prayer encounters of my life came when two Ukrainian Christians prayed over me in Ukrainian. I did not understand a thing they said, but as the Holy Spirit within me agreed with their prayers I was encouraged! Do not be afraid to pray for each other, even if their is a language barrier.
We have numerous examples of Jesus sharing meals and just enjoying being with others. We too need to have fellowship with other people and especially with each other. There is something about sharing a meal that helps break down barriers and can cause our love for one another to grow. Today as we eat I encourage you to sit at a table with someone you do not yet know!
Jesus gave this command to love one another right after he served his disciples by washing their feet. We too should be serving one another as a demonstration of our love for each other. The amazing thing is that as we all choose to serve each other we will also all be served.
Lastly, if we love one another we will teach each other everything that Jesus has commanded us, but also everything that God, through his Holy Spirit, is teaching us. Telling others about Jesus is the ultimate expression of love. Telling others that Jesus loved them so much that he died on a cross so their sins could be forgiven. Yet, he did not stay dead. On the third day He rose from the grave just like he said he would and He offers you forgiveness of your sins and eternal life. Let us start by proclaiming this truth.
Imagine what God will do through our family as we commit to loving our brothers and sisters. As we invite people to join us for worship they will see firsthand that we love each other with a love that comes only from knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. As we love as Jesus we will love our community, and I believe that as we are faithful to love each other as Christ loves us He will bless and grow our churches. So I bring before you two challenges.
The first is for those among us who have not yet asked Jesus to save them from their sins. He loves you so very much and is calling out to you, come follow me. John 1:12
But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,
Mas a todos los que le recibieron, a los que creen en su nombre, les dio potestad de ser hechos hijos de Dios;
tells us that all who receive Jesus he gives the right to be children of God. If you will simply believe that he died, was buried, and rose again so that you could be forgiven of your sin and receive his forgiveness you will have eternal life! Please do not let this moment pass by without choosing to follow Him. If you want to take that step today in a few moments I will pray and invite everyone to respond. In that moment come find me or Pastor Camilo and we will help you say yes to Jesus or answer any questions you might have.
To those of you who are already believers and are members of either PABC or PIB, I want to challenge you to respond in two ways. First, as the piano plays we have a copy of the covenant that both churches have agreed to sitting up here. I want to invite you to come sign it. If you are unable to walk up here we will bring it to you in a few minutes. We are going to hang this copy of the covenant in the main hallway as a reminder to all of us that we are committing to be two churches but one family. Secondly, we learned some ways that we demonstrate that love. Can I challenge you to find someone you do not know and go pray for them either after you sign or while you are waiting to sign? I believe that God is moving. Let’s move with Him. Let’s respond now.