Where is the love (Matthew 9:35-38)
Gary McManus, 07/24/2022Part of the New Life series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
July 24, 2022 Matthew 9:35-38
Where is the love. . .
A Pastor’s column on Christian lifestyle. . .
Plenty about what not to do, but “love” only
mentioned once. He wrote an earlier column in
March 2022 that was much better.
See Paul’s letter 1 Corinthians 13.
Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,
see also Matthew 7:16, Matthew 7:20).
More bad news out of New Life Christian Church and World Outreach, Warsaw, Indiana.
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them. . .”
[Notice Matthew 10:1 follows immediately after
Matthew 9:38.]
“GIVE.” (Matthew 5:46, Matthew 22:9, and Luke 14:12-13)
The word “compassion” does not occur that often in the Gospels. Jesus had compassion (3X in Matthew: Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Matthew 15:32; twice in Mark, once in Luke, but twice in Jesus’ parables: the Samaritan and the Father).
Jesus never commanded us to have compassion.
Jesus DID show us compassion and Jesus showed us what compassion looks like. You can’t command compassion.
Jesus DID command us to love. (John 13:34) And almost all the letters of the New Testament mention loving others.
(1 Thessalonians 3:12, Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8)
Love is almost always MISSING from the discussion in today’s churches.
Pastor did not read from other Pastors:
“How can I love people during this virus until it is over?”
56 percent of Christians feel their spiritual life is entirely private.
https://www.barna.com/research/discipleship-friendship/
How are we going to love our neighbors or our enemies—Jesus said we are to do that also. (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27, Luke 6:35).
How are you going to do that PRIVATELY?
Jesus instructions to the disciples are not rocket science. (Matthew 25:35-36)
Relationships take at least two and our Lord is
always ready for MORE relationship with us.
Those who lost faith didn’t talk much about love of God or God’s love for them.
Love God and your neighbor for surely God loves you and your neighbor in and through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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