I read many incredible, convicting, challenging, and encouraging things in the past couple days. But this 4-word verse stood out. “Let brotherly love continue.” If we don’t do this, nothing else we do as a church family matters. I looked up a number of cross references to Heb. 13:1, which remind us of the priority of love within the family of God. Here are some:
Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, (1 Thessalonians 4:9 ESV)
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (1 Peter 1:22 ESV)
and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:7 ESV)
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:17 ESV)
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:10 ESV)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7 ESV)
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:20-21 ESV)
Brothers and sisters, let’s look for ways in the days ahead to live out these commands in practical ways. Let’s be a powerful testimony to a watching world of the the way the love of God transforms the hearts of people and allows us to love one another, and to love people outside of the church who need to experience His love.
This Sunday: It’s MOTHER’S DAY! I hope you will have the chance to honor your mother this weekend, and/or your wife, if that’s possible. I will be preaching from Isaiah 9:1-7. I know, I know, that’s usually a Christmas passage, and it’s May! But just as I believe we should celebrate Christ’s resurrection all year long and not just at Easter, I think it’s appropriate to celebrate His incarnation all year and not just at Christmas. Isaiah 9 promises the birth of a child, the gift of a Son. Isaiah 9:6 includes some of the most important names given to the Messiah, and embodied by the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope all of us will be encouraged this Sunday. Especially mothers of course, but also all of us!
Don’t forget the Mother’s Day brunch from 8:30 — 10am on Sunday (no Sunday School)!
There are many other important reminders in your bulletin this Sunday of special events and activities coming up. So make sure and read your bulletin!
I am certainly thankful for an incredible and loving mother. And I’m so blessed that our four children have a fantastic mother. These women deserve to be honored, not just this weekend, but all the time!
I love the special ladies in my life! And I love you!
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael