Loving Jesus Christ

May 13, 2007

Text: John 14:23-29

Theme: Love

 I begin today’s sermon with a little verse out of Shel Silverstein’s book titled, “Falling Up.”

           The Ham’s on your pillow

          The Egg’s in your sheet

          The bran muffin’s rollin down under your feet.

          There’s milk in the mattress

          And Juice on the spread,

          Well, you said you wanted your

          Breakfast in bed!

 Here’s hoping someone made you breakfast in bed at least once in your life, Moms.  This day is in your honor and you deserve it!

 Last week I shared a message out of John chapter 13, “Loving Each other.”  The focus was on Jesus’ “new commandment” to love.  “By this,” he said, “everyone will know that you are my followers, if you have love for one another.”

 When we are at our best, we are loving one another.  Even when harsh words are spoken, if love is at the center of those words, things can be worked out and we can serve God.

 But love must always go deeper, challenge us more, and ultimately move us out of our comfort zone.

 I daresay, I believe we have a problem today and it stems from just that fact.  If Jesus is not easily recognized among us, it is due to a watered down version of love.  How many people do you talk to who say they believe in God and follow Jesus, but want nothing to do with any established church?  Fact is, they’ve been burned by well – meaning but mean acting Christians!  We tolerate one another, we force one another at times, often we browbeat each other into submission, or worse yet, dismiss certain people who are not like us.  We look like disciples on Sunday morning, where very few