Grow in Love for Church

Introductions

The Church exist because Jesus is the Son of God

Matthew 16:13–18 KJV 1900

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The church of God was built upon this one preface that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The church was not built upon traditions. The church was not built upon the foundation or within the walls of a building. The church was not built upon magnetic personalities of amazing church leaders. The church was not built upon the opinions of people with self righteous attitudes. The church was built upon the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The Church exist because Jesus Loves It

Ephesians 5:25 KJV 1900

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

The church exist because of the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and it exist because Christ loved it so much that he was willing to sacrifice his own life for it.

John 15:13 KJV 1900

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The Bible is clear that the greatest form of love is the sacrifice of one’s life for another. Since Christ loved the church enough to die for it then he loved the church with the greatest form of love that exist.

Now if Christ loves the church that much should we not also love the church? Many people have said to me that they can be a Christian and not attend church. Their argument is that the church is wayward and the people of the church are hypocritical. They have said that the church has hurt them so badly that they don’t want to attend one. The church is not something we can take or leave. To criticize church and to abandon it as a necessary part of your life is to tell Jesus that he was wrong for loving it with the greatest form of love to ever exist. The people that make up the church may not be perfect, but the only perfect person to ever walk this earth loved those imperfect people that make up the church with the greatest form of love.

We Should Love Our Church because Christ Loves It.

As we have already stated, Christ loved the church with the greatest form of love that exist and therefore it is our duty to love the church.

Here then is ways that we show love to our church:

We show love to our church by attending it

Attending Church is Commanded

Hebrews 10:25 KJV 1900

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Attending Church is Demonstrated

Acts 2:41–42 KJV 1900

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

We show love to our church by supporting it

Proverbs 3:9 KJV 1900

Honour the Lord with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Malachi 3:10 KJV 1900

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

We show love to our church by serving in it

We are to be servants in the church. The relationship between Christ and the church is to be showed by our marital relationships.

ILLUSTRATION

Imagine saying that you love your spouse, but never serving them in any way. You don’t provide for the family. You don’t contribute to taking care of the house by washing the dishes or mowing the lawn or any tangible way. You don’t offer compliments to your spouse or show care for them. You don’t hug them or kiss them or offer any words of affection. You don’t spend time with them. You don’t spend time helping them. You don’t financially contribute in any way to their needs or their wants. You are closed off emotionally, physically, and financially. Would you say that a person could still claim to love their spouse? I think I know that your answer would be no.

Just as we show our love to our spouse by serving them we show our love to our church by serving. Every member of the church should have a place of service. Do you have a place of service? What have you done for your church lately?

1 John 3:18 KJV 1900

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

We need to use our gifts to serve

1 Peter 4:10 KJV 1900

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

We need to take opportunities to serve

Galatians 6:10 KJV 1900

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Listen to the words of the Psalmist

Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.

Listen to the words that Jesus said in Matthew 23:11:

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Listen to the words that Jesus said in Matthew 6:33:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Conclusion

“Love is a Filling” by Seth Shipman

Love is often a word we say

But it is actually in the deeds we do

Love cannot be a feeling we possess

Unless it is a life that we live

Love is deeply rooted in action

And it cannot be exhibited by mere words

Love is a road of sacrifice

Offered by only those filled with it.

Are you filled with the Love of God? Do you have a love for God? Do love the church with a great love? Remember, Jesus loved the church with the greatest form of Love and we ought to love the church like he loved it.