Minister's Blog

Love and the Body of Christ
We have taken up our study in 1 Corinthians on Sunday mornings once again. I never cease to be amazed that letters written by the Apostle Paul 2000 years ago still speak so poignantly to the church today. The issues at Corinth, like our issues at Emmanuel, are never really the issue. The sexual immorality, idolatrous practices, abuses of the Lord’s Supper, and wild worship services were all addressed by Paul, and there is much we can learn from his reasoning and instructions. Those individual issues were symptoms, but the cause was a lack of love. Their love for the Lord had not constrained them to crucify their fleshly desires and their love for one another was not manifesting itself in self-sacrifice, service, and encouragement.
John 14:21 is a passage that I come back to again and again the one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him. We are all so thankful for the grace given to us in Christ. We have confessed, “Jesus is Lord.” Obedience is the natural outflow of the love and deep thanksgiving we have for the grace of God we experience in Christ! The Lord Jesus is our example of how to love in the love he demonstrates toward His Father in the Godhead. We see the Father being glorified in the Son through His perfect, humble, obedience and faithfulness. We follow His example and show ourselves to be in Christ when we reflect this same love toward Him. Loving Christ is not complicated. It is simply setting aside (denying, crucifying) self to the glory of Christ. To put this is as plainly as possible, it is choosing to let the Word of God direct our lives.
Why does this matter so much in the church (the Body of Christ)? Few of our issues are about Christ or doctrine. The Lord has given us every gift necessary to glorify Him in our personal lives and in our local church. We know this to be true, because He has given us the promises of scripture and His Holy Spirit. The issue is an issue of love. Do we love the Lord and our brothers and sisters more than we love ourselves? If we do, we will speak only what is proper for edification (building each other up). If we do, we will be willing to set aside fear and comfort to serve. If we do, we will not be consumed with our own problems but will be looking for opportunities to take up the burdens of others in prayer and ministry to them. We could go on and on, with the application of this truth. Will we heed the command of Christ and the truth of scripture: Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins, 1 Peter 4:8?
Opportunities to Show Love:
The Fall Fest, October 25, is right around the corner. Our Children’s Director has already been planning and encouraging folks to help physically, pray, and give candy. She is pretty persistent!
Mission Trip to Chauvin: Our association has been taking monthly trips down to Chauvin, Louisiana for the past year. These trips are focused on replanting a church that has died in that area. A group from our church will be heading down November 13-15 to do a Saturday outreach event and a Sunday service. If you are interested in taking part, there will be an interest meeting Sunday, October 4, immediately after the morning service.