Put On Love

Colossians 3:12–17 NKJV

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

WE ARE THE CHURCH — WEEK 4

PUT ON LOVE

INTRODUCTION

CHURCH, THROUGHOUT THIS SERIES WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING WHAT IT MEANS TO SAY, “WE ARE THE CHURCH.”

IN WEEK 1, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CHURCH IS MORE THAN A BUILDING. THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE OF GOD, CALLED TOGETHER TO WORSHIP, GROW, SERVE, AND CARRY OUT THE MISSION OF JESUS CHRIST.

IN WEEK 2, WE LEARNED THAT WE NEED EACH OTHER. WE ARE ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS, AND EVERY MEMBER MATTERS.

LAST WEEK, WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE'S POWER IN SHOWING UP. OUR PRESENCE MATTERS BECAUSE GOD USES US TO ENCOURAGE, STRENGTHEN, AND STIR ONE ANOTHER TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD WORKS.

BUT TODAY PAUL BRINGS US TO ANOTHER QUESTION:

HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH TREAT ONE ANOTHER ONCE WE SHOW UP?

BECAUSE IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHOW UP...

AND STILL NOT SPEAK TO SOMEBODY.

IT'S POSSIBLE TO SIT BESIDE SOMEBODY...

AND STILL HOLD SOMETHING AGAINST THEM.

IT'S POSSIBLE TO WORSHIP TOGETHER...

SING TOGETHER...

SERVE TOGETHER...

AND STILL NOT LOVE ONE ANOTHER THE WAY CHRIST COMMANDED US TO LOVE.

AND IF WE ARE GOING TO TRULY BE THE CHURCH, WE CANNOT JUST COME TOGETHER.

WE'VE GOT TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT PAUL ADDRESSES IN COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 3.

HE USES AN ILLUSTRATION EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS.

GETTING DRESSED.

EVERY MORNING, BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME, YOU MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO PUT ON.

YOU DON'T ACCIDENTALLY GET DRESSED.

YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR.

AND PAUL SAYS THAT JUST AS YOU MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT YOU PUT ON PHYSICALLY, EVERY BELIEVER HAS TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT ON SPIRITUALLY.

HE SAYS:

“THEREFORE, AS GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE, HOLY AND DEARLY LOVED, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS AND PATIENCE.”

AND THEN IN VERSE 14:

“AND OVER ALL THESE VIRTUES PUT ON LOVE, WHICH BINDS THEM ALL TOGETHER IN PERFECT UNITY.”

CHURCH, BEFORE WE LEAVE HOME EVERY MORNING, WE OUGHT TO ASK:

“WHAT AM I WEARING TODAY?”

NOT WHAT COLOR.

NOT WHAT BRAND.

NOT WHAT STYLE.

BUT...

AM I WEARING COMPASSION?

AM I WEARING KINDNESS?

AM I WEARING HUMILITY?

AM I WEARING PATIENCE?

AND ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE...

DID I PUT ON LOVE?

BECAUSE IF WE ARE THE CHURCH...

THEN THE CHURCH OUGHT TO LOOK LIKE JESUS.

I. REMEMBER WHOSE YOU ARE BEFORE YOU DECIDE HOW YOU WILL TREAT SOMEBODY ELSE

PAUL BEGINS VERSE 12 BY SAYING:

“THEREFORE, AS GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE, HOLY AND DEARLY LOVED…”

BEFORE PAUL TELLS THEM WHAT TO DO, HE REMINDS THEM WHO THEY ARE.

CHOSEN.

HOLY.

DEARLY LOVED.

THAT'S IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR IS SUPPOSED TO FLOW FROM CHRISTIAN IDENTITY.

WE DON'T LOVE PEOPLE SO THAT GOD WILL LOVE US.

WE LOVE PEOPLE BECAUSE GOD HAS ALREADY LOVED US.

WE DON'T SHOW MERCY SO WE CAN EARN MERCY.

WE SHOW MERCY BECAUSE GOD HAS ALREADY BEEN MERCIFUL TO US.

WE DON'T FORGIVE SO WE CAN PROVE WE'RE GOOD CHRISTIANS.

WE FORGIVE BECAUSE WE REMEMBER HOW MUCH GOD HAS FORGIVEN US.

PAUL SAYS BEFORE YOU DEAL WITH ANYBODY ELSE, REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU.

YOU WERE CHOSEN.

YOU WERE LOVED.

YOU WERE FORGIVEN.

YOU RECEIVED GRACE YOU DIDN'T DESERVE.

MERCY YOU COULDN'T EARN.

A SECOND CHANCE YOU COULDN'T BUY.

AND WHEN YOU REMEMBER HOW GOD HAS TREATED YOU, IT OUGHT TO CHANGE HOW YOU TREAT SOMEBODY ELSE.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT SOMETIMES WE HAVE A SHORT MEMORY.

WE REMEMBER WHAT THEY DID...

BUT FORGET WHAT WE DID.

WE REMEMBER THEIR MISTAKE...

BUT FORGET OUR MISTAKES.

WE REMEMBER HOW THEY DISAPPOINTED US...

BUT FORGET ALL THE TIMES WE DISAPPOINTED GOD.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO LOOK DOWN ON SOMEBODY ELSE WHEN YOU REMEMBER THE PIT GOD PULLED YOU OUT OF.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO WITHHOLD GRACE WHEN YOU REMEMBER HOW MUCH GRACE YOU'VE RECEIVED.

THAT'S WHY PAUL BEGINS WITH IDENTITY.

REMEMBER WHOSE YOU ARE.

YOU'RE NOT JUST ANYBODY.

YOU BELONG TO JESUS.

AND BECAUSE YOU BELONG TO JESUS,

PEOPLE OUGHT TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER YOU.

TRANSITION

ONCE PAUL REMINDS US WHO WE ARE, HE TELLS US WHAT OUGHT TO BE VISIBLE IN OUR LIVES.

IF WE'RE GOD'S PEOPLE, THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME EVIDENCE.

THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMETHING ABOUT THE WAY WE TREAT PEOPLE THAT LETS THE WORLD KNOW WE'VE BEEN WITH JESUS.

II. LOVE HAS TO BE SOMETHING PEOPLE CAN SEE

PAUL SAYS:

Colossians 3:12 NKJV

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

KJV SAYS IT LIKE THIS…..

“CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS AND PATIENCE.”

NOTICE THE LANGUAGE.

CLOTHE YOURSELVES.

PUT IT ON.

IN OTHER WORDS, THESE QUALITIES SHOULD BE VISIBLE.

WHEN YOU PUT ON A COAT, PEOPLE CAN SEE IT.

WHEN YOU PUT ON A SUIT, PEOPLE CAN SEE IT.

AND WHEN WE PUT ON CHRIST, PEOPLE OUGHT TO SEE SOMETHING TOO.

PAUL GIVES US FIVE THINGS.

COMPASSION.

COMPASSION SAYS, “YOUR PAIN MATTERS TO ME.”

KINDNESS.

KINDNESS SAYS, “I'M GOING TO TREAT YOU BETTER THAN THE WORLD EXPECTS.”

HUMILITY.

HUMILITY SAYS, “EVERYTHING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ABOUT ME.”

GENTLENESS.

GENTLENESS SAYS, “I CAN HAVE STRENGTH WITHOUT USING MY STRENGTH TO HURT YOU.”

AND THEN...

PATIENCE.

AND THAT'S THE ONE THAT GETS SOME OF US!

BECAUSE IT'S EASY TO LOVE PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE DOING WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO.

BUT PATIENCE IS REQUIRED WHEN PEOPLE GET ON YOUR NERVES.

PATIENCE IS REQUIRED WHEN PEOPLE DON'T MOVE AS QUICKLY AS YOU WANT.

PATIENCE IS REQUIRED WHEN PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

PATIENCE IS REQUIRED WHEN SOMEBODY KEEPS ASKING THE SAME QUESTION.

PATIENCE IS REQUIRED WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL GROWING.

AND HERE'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO REMEMBER ABOUT THE CHURCH:

EVERYBODY IN THE CHURCH IS STILL GROWING.

INCLUDING THE PASTOR.

INCLUDING THE DEACONS.

INCLUDING THE TRUSTEES.

INCLUDING THE CHOIR.

INCLUDING THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO YOU.

INCLUDING YOU.

THE CHURCH IS NOT A MUSEUM FOR FINISHED PRODUCTS.

THE CHURCH IS A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE GOD IS STILL WORKING ON.

SO WE'VE GOT TO GIVE ONE ANOTHER ROOM TO GROW.

ILLUSTRATION

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A SIGN AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE THAT SAYS:

“PARDON OUR PROGRESS”?

IT'S A WAY OF SAYING:

THINGS MAY BE MESSY RIGHT NOW.

EVERYTHING ISN'T FINISHED.

THERE MAY BE SOME INCONVENIENCE.

BUT WORK IS TAKING PLACE.

MAYBE WE OUGHT TO IMAGINE AN INVISIBLE SIGN AROUND EVERY BELIEVER:

PARDON MY PROGRESS. GOD IS STILL WORKING ON ME.

AND IF GOD IS PATIENT ENOUGH TO KEEP WORKING ON ME...

I OUGHT TO BE PATIENT ENOUGH TO LET HIM KEEP WORKING ON YOU.

TRANSITION

BUT PAUL KNOWS THAT EVENTUALLY OUR IMPERFECTIONS ARE GOING TO COLLIDE.

IF YOU SPEND ENOUGH TIME WITH PEOPLE, SOMEBODY IS GOING TO DISAPPOINT YOU.

SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING WRONG.

SOMEBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS.

AND THAT'S WHERE LOVE BECOMES MORE THAN A NICE WORD.

THAT'S WHERE LOVE GETS TESTED.

III. LOVE MAKES ROOM FOR FORGIVENESS

VERSE 13 SAYS:

“BEAR WITH EACH OTHER AND FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER IF ANY OF YOU HAS A GRIEVANCE AGAINST SOMEONE.”

NOTICE PAUL DOESN'T SAY IF CHRISTIANS EVER HURT ONE ANOTHER.

HE ASSUMES IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHY?

BECAUSE SAVED PEOPLE ARE STILL PEOPLE.

CHURCH PEOPLE WILL SOMETIMES HURT CHURCH PEOPLE.

WE MAY MISUNDERSTAND EACH OTHER.

DISAGREE WITH EACH OTHER.

DISAPPOINT EACH OTHER.

SAY SOMETHING WE SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID.

FAIL TO DO SOMETHING WE SHOULD HAVE DONE.

THAT'S WHY PAUL SAYS:

“BEAR WITH EACH OTHER.”

THAT MEANS SOMETIMES YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH SOME THINGS.

EVERY DISAGREEMENT DOESN'T REQUIRE A MEETING.

EVERY OFFENSE DOESN'T REQUIRE A CONFRONTATION.

EVERY IRRITATION DOESN'T REQUIRE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

SOME THINGS REQUIRE MATURITY.

SOME THINGS REQUIRE GRACE.

SOME THINGS REQUIRE YOU TO SAY:

“I'M NOT GOING TO LET THIS BECOME BIGGER THAN OUR RELATIONSHIP.”

BUT THEN PAUL GOES FURTHER:

“FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU.”

THAT'S THE STANDARD.

NOT FORGIVE WHEN THEY DESERVE IT.

NOT FORGIVE WHEN THEY APOLOGIZE EXACTLY THE WAY YOU WANTED.

NOT FORGIVE WHEN EVERYBODY AGREES YOU WERE RIGHT.

FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU.

HOW DID CHRIST FORGIVE US?

COMPLETELY.

GRACIOUSLY.

SACRIFICIALLY.

(PAUSE)

CHURCH, FORGIVENESS DOESN'T MEAN WHAT HAPPENED WAS ACCEPTABLE.

FORGIVENESS DOESN'T MEAN THERE ARE NEVER CONSEQUENCES.

FORGIVENESS DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN THE RELATIONSHIP IMMEDIATELY RETURNS TO WHAT IT WAS.

FORGIVENESS MEANS:

I REFUSE TO ALLOW WHAT YOU DID TO KEEP CONTROLLING MY HEART.

I'M RELEASING MY RIGHT TO REVENGE.

I'M PUTTING IT IN GOD'S HANDS.

BECAUSE BITTERNESS IS TOO HEAVY TO CARRY.

AND YOU CANNOT BUILD A HEALTHY CHURCH WITH PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO FORGIVE EACH OTHER.

WE CANNOT SHOUT TOGETHER ON SUNDAY AND REFUSE TO SPEAK ON MONDAY.

WE CANNOT TAKE COMMUNION TOGETHER AND HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST EACH OTHER.

WE CANNOT PREACH GRACE TO THE WORLD AND REFUSE TO EXTEND GRACE IN THE CHURCH.

IF WE ARE THE CHURCH...

FORGIVENESS HAS TO LIVE HERE.

TRANSITION

THEN PAUL REACHES THE CENTER OF THE PASSAGE.

HE HAS GIVEN US COMPASSION.

KINDNESS.

HUMILITY.

GENTLENESS.

PATIENCE.

FORGIVENESS.

BUT HE SAYS THERE IS ONE THING THAT HOLDS EVERYTHING ELSE TOGETHER.

IV. ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE, PUT ON LOVE

VERSE 14 SAYS:

“AND OVER ALL THESE VIRTUES PUT ON LOVE, WHICH BINDS THEM ALL TOGETHER IN PERFECT UNITY.”

PAUL SAYS AFTER YOU'VE PUT EVERYTHING ELSE ON...

THERE'S ONE MORE THING.

PUT ON LOVE.

LOVE IS THE GARMENT THAT COVERS EVERYTHING ELSE.

COMPASSION WITHOUT LOVE CAN BECOME PITY.

KINDNESS WITHOUT LOVE CAN BECOME POLITENESS.

SERVICE WITHOUT LOVE CAN BECOME OBLIGATION.

GIVING WITHOUT LOVE CAN BECOME RECOGNITION.

EVEN MINISTRY WITHOUT LOVE CAN BECOME PERFORMANCE.

PAUL SAYS:

PUT ON LOVE.

BECAUSE LOVE HOLDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

CHURCH, PROGRAMS DON'T HOLD A CHURCH TOGETHER.

BUILDINGS DON'T HOLD A CHURCH TOGETHER.

TRADITION DOESN'T HOLD A CHURCH TOGETHER.

A PASTOR CANNOT HOLD A CHURCH TOGETHER.

LOVE HOLDS THE CHURCH TOGETHER.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE ALWAYS AGREE.

UNITY IS NOT EVERYBODY THINKING THE SAME THING ABOUT EVERYTHING.

UNITY MEANS OUR LOVE FOR CHRIST AND OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER ARE GREATER THAN THE THINGS THAT COULD DIVIDE US.

THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT OPINIONS.

DIFFERENT GENERATIONS.

DIFFERENT PREFERENCES.

DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.

BUT LOVE SAYS:

“WHAT CONNECTS US IS GREATER THAN WHAT SEPARATES US.”

AND HERE'S THE THING ABOUT PUTTING ON LOVE:

YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION EVERY DAY.

SOME MORNINGS YOU WAKE UP AND PATIENCE ISN'T NATURALLY THERE.

PUT IT ON.

SOME DAYS KINDNESS DOESN'T COME NATURALLY.

PUT IT ON.

SOME DAYS FORGIVENESS IS DIFFICULT.

PUT IT ON.

SOME DAYS PEOPLE MAKE LOVING THEM HARD.

PUT IT ON ANYWAY.

BECAUSE BIBLICAL LOVE IS NOT PRIMARILY AN EMOTION.

LOVE IS A DECISION TO TREAT PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST.

TRANSITION

AND WHEN GOD'S PEOPLE BEGIN LIVING LIKE THAT,

PAUL SAYS SOMETHING BEGINS TO HAPPEN ON THE INSIDE OF THE CHURCH.

PEACE TAKES OVER.

THE WORD TAKES ROOT.

AND WORSHIP BEGINS TO OVERFLOW.

V. WHEN LOVE LEADS, CHRIST BECOMES VISIBLE

PAUL SAYS IN VERSES 15–17:

“LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS…”

“LET THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST DWELL AMONG YOU RICHLY…”

“AND WHATEVER YOU DO, WHETHER IN WORD OR DEED, DO IT ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS…”

NOTICE THE PROGRESSION.

WHEN WE PUT ON LOVE...

CHRIST'S PEACE RULES US.

CHRIST'S WORD FILLS US.

CHRIST'S NAME REPRESENTS US.

PAUL SAYS WHATEVER YOU DO...

DO IT IN JESUS' NAME.

THAT MEANS BEFORE I SAY IT, I OUGHT TO ASK:

CAN I PUT JESUS' NAME ON THIS?

BEFORE I POST IT...

CAN I PUT JESUS' NAME ON IT?

BEFORE I SEND THAT TEXT...

CAN I PUT JESUS' NAME ON IT?

BEFORE I RESPOND IN ANGER...

CAN I PUT JESUS' NAME ON IT?

BEFORE I GOSSIP...

CAN I PUT JESUS' NAME ON IT?

BEFORE I TREAT SOMEBODY BADLY...

CAN I PUT JESUS' NAME ON IT?

BECAUSE EVERYWHERE WE GO, WE REPRESENT JESUS.

(PAUSE)

FRIENDSHIP

THE WORLD MAY NEVER READ COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 3.

BUT THEY'RE READING US.

AND WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE CHURCH,

THEY OUGHT TO SEE SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE CHRIST.

(PAUSE)

CONCLUSION

CHURCH, EVERY MORNING WE MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO WEAR.

BUT PAUL SAYS THERE IS ANOTHER WARDROBE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT.

PUT ON COMPASSION.

PUT ON KINDNESS.

PUT ON HUMILITY.

PUT ON GENTLENESS.

PUT ON PATIENCE.

PUT ON FORGIVENESS.

AND ABOVE ALL...

PUT ON LOVE.

BECAUSE PEOPLE MAY FORGET WHAT WE PREACHED.

THEY MAY FORGET WHAT SONGS WE SANG.

THEY MAY FORGET WHAT PROGRAMS WE OFFERED.

BUT THEY WILL REMEMBER HOW WE TREATED THEM.

JESUS SAID:

“BY THIS EVERYONE WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”

NOT BY HOW LOUD WE SHOUT.

NOT BY HOW LONG WE PRAY.

NOT BY HOW MUCH SCRIPTURE WE CAN QUOTE.

BY OUR LOVE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO SAY...

WE ARE THE CHURCH...

THEN CHURCH...

WE'VE GOT TO PUT ON LOVE.

CELEBRATION

AND I'M GLAD TODAY THAT JESUS DIDN'T JUST TALK ABOUT LOVE.

HE SHOWED US LOVE!

WHEN WE WERE LOST...

HE LOVED US!

WHEN WE WERE BROKEN...

HE LOVED US!

WHEN WE DIDN'T DESERVE IT...

HE LOVED US!

WHEN WE COULDN'T SAVE OURSELVES...

HE LOVED US!

HE LOVED US ENOUGH TO LEAVE HEAVEN!

LOVED US ENOUGH TO COME THROUGH FORTY AND TWO GENERATIONS!

LOVED US ENOUGH TO WALK AMONG US!

LOVED US ENOUGH TO TOUCH THE SICK!

LOVED US ENOUGH TO WELCOME THE OUTCAST!

LOVED US ENOUGH TO FORGIVE SINNERS!

BUT THAT'S NOT WHERE HIS LOVE STOPPED!

ONE FRIDAY...

HE TOOK THAT LOVE...

ALL THE WAY TO CALVARY!

THEY PUT NAILS IN HIS HANDS!

NAILS IN HIS FEET!

A CROWN OF THORNS ON HIS HEAD!

THEY PIERCED HIM IN HIS SIDE!

AND HE HUNG THERE...

NOT BECAUSE THE NAILS COULD HOLD HIM...

BUT BECAUSE LOVE WOULDN'T LET HIM COME DOWN!

HE DIED...

UNTIL THE SUN REFUSED TO SHINE!

HE DIED...

UNTIL THE EARTH BEGAN TO SHAKE!

HE DIED...

UNTIL THE VEIL IN THE TEMPLE WAS TORN!

THEY PUT HIM IN A BORROWED TOMB.

BUT EARLY...

SUNDAY MORNING...

LOVE GOT UP!

GRACE GOT UP!

MERCY GOT UP!

HOPE GOT UP!

JESUS GOT UP WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS!

AND BECAUSE HE LOVED ME LIKE THAT...

I CAN LOVE SOMEBODY ELSE!

BECAUSE HE FORGAVE ME...

I CAN FORGIVE SOMEBODY ELSE!

BECAUSE HE GAVE ME GRACE...

I CAN GIVE SOMEBODY ELSE GRACE!

FRIENDSHIP...

THIS WEEK...

WHEN YOU GET DRESSED...

PUT ON YOUR SHOES.

PUT ON YOUR CLOTHES.

PUT ON WHATEVER MAKES YOU LOOK GOOD.

BUT BEFORE YOU WALK OUT THAT DOOR...

DON'T FORGET TO PUT ON LOVE!

PUT ON LOVE IN YOUR HOUSE!

PUT ON LOVE ON YOUR JOB!

PUT ON LOVE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

PUT ON LOVE IN THIS CHURCH!

AND IF YOU'RE THANKFUL THAT JESUS LOVED YOU WHEN YOU DIDN'T DESERVE IT...

GIVE GOD PRAISE FOR HIS AMAZING LOVE!

*******************

ALTAR CALL

THERE MAY BE SOMEBODY HERE TODAY WHO NEEDS TO EXPERIENCE THAT LOVE FOR YOURSELF.

MAYBE YOU'VE KNOWN CHURCH...

BUT YOU DON'T KNOW CHRIST.

MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT HIS LOVE...

BUT YOU'VE NEVER PERSONALLY RECEIVED HIS GRACE.

JESUS LOVES YOU.

NOT THE CLEANED-UP VERSION OF YOU.

NOT THE PERSON YOU'RE TRYING TO BECOME.

YOU.

RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE.

AND TODAY HE'S INVITING YOU INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

(PAUSE)

PERHAPS YOU'RE ALREADY SAVED, BUT HURT HAS HARDENED YOUR HEART.

MAYBE YOU'RE CARRYING BITTERNESS.

MAYBE YOU'RE STRUGGLING TO FORGIVE.

MAYBE GOD IS SAYING:

“IT'S TIME TO LET IT GO.”

OR PERHAPS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CHURCH FAMILY WHERE YOU CAN GROW IN CHRIST AND WALK WITH OTHER BELIEVERS.

THE INVITATION IS OPEN.

THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH ARE OPEN.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY...

THE ARMS OF JESUS ARE OPEN.

COME.

TRANSITION TO PASTORAL PRAYER

CHURCH FAMILY, WE HAVE EXTENDED THE INVITATION, AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO PRAY.

IF YOU'VE COME TO THE ALTAR, REMAIN WHERE YOU ARE.

IF YOU'RE AT YOUR SEAT, JOIN YOUR HEART WITH US.

AND BEFORE WE ASK GOD TO CHANGE ANYBODY ELSE, LET'S ASK HIM TO WORK ON US.

“LORD, HELP ME LOVE BETTER.”

“HELP ME FORGIVE.”

“HELP ME SHOW GRACE.”

“HELP ME LOOK MORE LIKE JESUS.”

LET US PRAY.

PASTORAL PRAYER

GRACIOUS AND ETERNAL GOD,

THANK YOU FOR LOVING US WITH A LOVE WE COULD NEVER EARN AND COULD NEVER DESERVE.

THANK YOU FOR

CHOOSING US,

CALLING US,

FORGIVING US,

AND COVERING US WITH YOUR GRACE.

LORD, HELP US TO BECOME A PEOPLE WHO REFLECT THAT SAME LOVE.

CLOTHE US WITH COMPASSION.

CLOTHE US WITH KINDNESS.

CLOTHE US WITH HUMILITY.

GIVE US GENTLENESS WHEN WE WANT TO RESPOND HARSHLY.

GIVE US PATIENCE WHEN PEOPLE TEST US.

AND GIVE US GRACE TO FORGIVE AS YOU HAVE FORGIVEN US.

LORD, WHERE THERE IS BITTERNESS, BRING HEALING.

WHERE RELATIONSHIPS HAVE BEEN BROKEN, BRING RECONCILIATION WHEREVER RECONCILIATION IS POSSIBLE.

WHERE PRIDE HAS DIVIDED US, GIVE US HUMILITY.

WHERE MISUNDERSTANDINGS HAVE SEPARATED US, GIVE US WISDOM AND GRACE.

AND ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE...

HELP US PUT ON LOVE.

MAKE FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH A CHURCH WHERE PEOPLE DON'T JUST HEAR ABOUT THE LOVE OF JESUS BUT EXPERIENCE THE LOVE OF JESUS.

LET THE HURTING EXPERIENCE LOVE HERE.

LET THE LONELY EXPERIENCE LOVE HERE.

LET CHILDREN EXPERIENCE LOVE HERE.

LET OUR SENIORS EXPERIENCE LOVE HERE.

LET VISITORS EXPERIENCE LOVE HERE.

LET THE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE LOVE THROUGH US.

AND WHEN THE WORLD LOOKS AT THIS CHURCH, LET THEM SEE JESUS.

LET HIS PEACE RULE OUR HEARTS.

LET HIS WORD DWELL RICHLY AMONG US.

AND WHATEVER WE DO IN WORD OR DEED, HELP US DO IT ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.

THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE DEMONSTRATED AT CALVARY AND THE VICTORY REVEALED ON RESURRECTION MORNING.

NOW SEND US FROM THIS PLACE DETERMINED TO WEAR THAT LOVE EVERYWHERE WE GO.

IN THE MIGHTY, MARVELOUS, MATCHLESS NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WE PRAY.

AND ALL GOD'S PEOPLE SAID,

AMEN.