John 13:34, So now I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
1 John 3:16-18, 23, We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us…If anyone sees a brother or a sister in need and refuses to help—how can God’s love be in that person…Let us stop just saying we love each other. Let us really show it by our actions…Love one another just as he commanded.
1 John 4:12, No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us. We cannot make a difference in our city if we do not love. Love must be what energizes us. The impact we will make will be determined by how much we love. How much we love will be seen by how much we do.
To fail to love is a sin.
The command to love is the greatest commandment.
Because love is a command, it is not about feelings.
The Vision of City Church of Chattanooga
To be a Life-giving church, helping the people of Metro Chattanooga..
Ø Experience God’s presence
Ø Feel His Love
Ø Hear His Word
Ø Become Jesus’ Disciples
We don’t have to change the way we feel, only the way we act.
Feelings without corresponding actions mean little.
It is a matter of following Jesus’ example.
How did Jesus love?
1. His love was unconditional.
2. His love was practical.
3. His love was without prejudice.
4. His love was riskly.
5. His love was sacrificial.
Jesus calls us to partner with him in make his love tangible in our city.
Selfishness bolds the door of our hearts, blinds our eyes, and paralyzes our hands.
Love is about sacrifice.
Anytime we have the opportunity to sacrifice for someone, we have the opportunity to love.
To help people feel God’s love, we must…
Open our eyes.
See your brother in need.
Open our hearts.
Does not feel pity.
Open our hands.
Let us show our love by our actions.
It is through love that the invisible God becomes visible in our world.
“No one can do great things for God. We can only do small things with love,”
Mother Teresa.