Short Church devotion: Everyone Else

1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (NIV)

Recently, I was teaching a Sunday school class on the third chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. We had quite a good discussion on what Paul wrote long ago, especially when his deep concerns about the young Macedonian church were diminished when he received word from Timothy that the congregation’s faith was firm and flourishing. It was a wonderful moment of joy and relief for Paul who was worried about the spiritual strength of the church folks.

As he exalted in their faithfulness, Paul also gave them a special blessing by writing, ‘May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.’

It’s a beautiful word of encouragement because Paul was asking God to increase their love for one another which would effectively build up the congregation, but then he added something greater: he asked the Lord to let their love overflow ‘for everyone else.’ In other words, Paul hoped that the church people would not just keep the love of God to themselves, but that they would love everyone else with no exclusions. What a wonderful blessing for any church!

Sadly, some Christians in our current communities have forgotten this. They love their own people exclusively and treat others around them disdainfully. They wound minority groups with words that sting and marginalize others by condemning their lifestyle choices. They earnestly believe that they are faithfully fulfilling Christ’s mission with hateful rhetoric and brutal attacks. They hide behind their bibles and flags in order to protect themselves from being swayed from their strict beliefs. Their words are venomous, and their hatred is vile. They really represent themselves and totally misrepresent Christ. They have forgotten or have never accepted Christ’s command to love one another, or even Paul’s words to let their love overflow for everyone else. It’s a great shame because they undermine God’s work to make this world a better place and instead end up creating a bitter planet.

If we want to change this counterfeit Christianity, it has to begin with us personally and individually. God’s love is not just for ourselves, our church, or our faith – as Paul stated, it’s for everyone else. And if all of Christ’s congregations could practice this faithfully, what a wonderful way to be church in the world!

Point to ponder: How would loving everyone else challenge and change my faith? Am I willing to follow Christ and share Him in a loving way?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You loved the whole world so much that You died for everyone, not just for some. You loved Your people and everyone else, so encourage us to do the same. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can check out what’s happening at the church by clicking this link: www.erinpres.org

Short devotion: Step Back - 1 Corinthians 13:4-6

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. (NRSV)

 

One of the great sadnesses that I have noticed about this prolonged pandemic has been the lack of love that is constantly missing when people argue about their personal choices. It’s far easier to berate and ridicule our opponents, just like those who mocked Christ on the Cross, rather than have a healthy conversation to exchange fruitful ideas which may get us nearer to solving and ending this crisis. Perhaps if we as Christians were to apply Paul’s teaching about love not insisting on its own way, we might be able to combine our focus and strength to get us out of this pandemic pit. Sadly, however, if we keep attacking one another, we’ll be continually divided and eventually conquered by a coronavirus which doesn’t care about our personal freedom, faith, or notions.

 

I believe that this is one of the moments in history when the Church could make a substantial and crucial difference by showing love and helping folks to care for one another. If we become consumed by our internal divisions, then we’ll be guilty of burying the talents of faith, hope, and love which Christ has given to us. If we pander only to those who are like-minded, then we’ll be ignoring the empathetic compassion that Jesus urged His disciples to display when He told us to love one another. This is not an individual option either; it’s a personal command from Christ.

 

So, let’s all step back from the lines in the sand that we have drawn by honestly reflecting on Christ’s love and what it means to be a Christian. Let’s take time to reconsider what our faith is, and to whom we can effectively and lovingly share it. The world is broken right now – Christ’s Church can do much to repair it.

 

Prayer: Lord God, You know us fully and Your Son expects much of us. Challenge our ways and misconceptions. Fill us with love, instead of pride; grant us compassion and teach us to be humble.  Heal us of all that would harm us and help us to be whole. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

 

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to see what the church is doing, check out its website at www.erinpres.org.

 

Light of Love - John 1:5

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (NRSV)

Last night, I did something that was new to me and well outside of my comfort zone. I attended a candlelit vigil at the local mosque with other faith leaders. We had been invited by the members of the Annoor Mosque in Knoxville to come together just after sunset to pray for the victims and families of the mass murder in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was a very solemn occasion, but also a beautiful one in which Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, and other faiths gathered in solidarity to express our sorrow and support for the local Muslim community.

Prayers of all kinds were said and short homilies were given by representatives of the different religions. The one common theme that each spokesperson expressed was about how light can penetrate darkness and overcome it. By coming together, we were showing one another the light of peace, hope, and love which can extinguish the darkness of division, ignorance, and hatred. The vigil also showed me that we are not each other’s enemies, so when we are not divided, we can confront prejudice and hatred, as well as white nationalism and militant fascism wherever they occur. In other words, faith will prevail over fear.

Last night changed me forever. I also learned that the Arabic word ‘Annoor’ means ‘light’ which shone brightly last night as we shared our common threads of faith, humanity, and love together. One of the mosques that were attacked in Christchurch is also called ‘Annoor,’ so for the sake of their light, we were praying and supporting one another.

Wherever you are in the world today, share light and love. Whoever is in need today, share light and love. And whatever happens today, above all else, share light and love. God bless you all.

Pastor John

Erin Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN

Love One Another - 1 John 3:23

1 John 3:23      And this is God’s command: to believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. (NIV)

            We have a great Youth group at our church, made up of Middle and High School students. I’ve watched most of them grow up since they were very young. Their love for one another both impresses me and deeply touches my heart. If they are representatives of their own generation, then both the church and the world will be in very good hands.

            When I was their age, I didn’t have such a strong and faithful group of friends, which is probably why I ended up taking a wayward path. However, when I was just into my twenties, I did become part of a fellowship of young Christian adults who helped to steer me back in the right direction.

            I think this is what church can do for anyone of any age. The friendship and fellowship that congregations can offer to everyone are beautiful gifts from the Spirit of God. I often wish that more people would take the opportunity to participate in church and discover this wonderful truth for themselves. If they did, they would find a great source of strength and love; they would be blessed with a company of caring and compassionate people.

Questions for personal reflection

When have I experienced the love and friendship of God’s people? With whom can I share those same blessings?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of true Christian love. Help us to share Your love and compassion with our families and friends, our neighbors and colleagues, as well as our own church and congregation. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s early drawings called “Sunrise Communion.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Communion.

Church devotion: There Will Come a Time - Psalm 92:7

Psalm 92:7    Though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

            There are times when I read and hear about suicide bombings, terrorist killings, and the slaying of innocents that I despair of humanity. Our inhumanity toward one another is an evil scourge that scars our planet, making me wonder that if there is other life in the universe, are those extra-terrestrial beings avoiding us because of our wretched wickedness.

            Every week, there seems to be another unbelievable violent incident reported across the globe. We spin through space, twirling around the Sun, making our way across the universe, leaving behind a trail of blood, war, and destruction that has become the hallmark of who we are in the great journey of Life. Sadly, our madness may one day become our unmaking, and our insanity may lead us into extinction.

            The world we live in is a beautiful place! We are surrounded with majestic mountains, wonderful seascapes, amazing land formations, and an abundance of living beings that make us unique in the entire universe. Why can’t we live peacefully and love one another? Why can’t we all just stop being brutal and learn to live together in this precious planet we all call home?

            According to our faith, there will come a time when our story ends and wickedness will be destroyed forever. Evil will be no more and death itself will be over and done. Then, as the scriptures tell us, God will once again abide with us and we will at last enjoy His Creation lovingly, peacefully, and eternally. No more bombings, no more slayings, no more war. No more cruelty, no more wickedness, no more evil – for those former things will have passed away, nevermore to be experienced, endured, or encountered.

            It is a future hope, but it is also something that we can aspire toward, apply, and advance today. As Christ Himself commanded, let us love one another, for after all is said and done, loving one another is the only thing that will endure forever.

Question for reflection:    To whom should I show God’s love today?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, You have commanded us to love one another, but we have been poor witnesses of those words. Forgive our failure to live lovingly, peacefully, and faithfully. Help us to overcome our fear, pride, or even anger, in order to love all those we encounter this day. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is on of John’s bulletin cover images called “Love One Another.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Love.

Holy Week devotions: Maundy Thursday - John 13:1-17 & 31b-35

Bible reading: John 13:1-17 & 31b-35

Today’s verse:             John 13:34-35

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All people will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”

            Love is at the heart of our Christian faith and was the main theme of John’s Gospel, as well as his church letters. The apostle’s love for Jesus was effectively shown by his lifelong devotion to Christ’s’ ministry and mission.

            As 21^st century Christians, we are called to continue that ministry by showing love to one another, especially in our church as well as across our community. Our mission is meant to both proclaim and show that Christ’s love for the world still effectively endures.

How do I express my love for Jesus in my life? How is Christ’s love expressed by His Church in today’s society?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, teach us Your loving ways and help us to be effective witnesses of Your compassion. As we commune with one another, let us also reach out to our community and the world during this sacred time. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.