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“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV84)
When someone learns that you are part of McLean Bible Church, what reaction usually follows? The most typical comment I hear notices our size — “Oh, you go to that huge church.” More to the point, what do we want people to notice, or better yet, what would Jesus want them to say? According to John, the distinguishing mark He wants men to notice is our love for one another. If we hope to impact the secular community around us with…
I’m a girl with “family issues.” I come from a family dynamic with a legacy of being pummeled by the enemy. By the grace of God I gave my heart to the Lord Jesus when I was eight years old, but I lived in a home that was far away from Christ. I kept my faith to myself in order to “keep the peace.” Though I “believed” I did not begin to chase after a relationship with Jesus and look for discipleship until I was in my late 20’s. When I began down that path, the Lord wasted no time zeroing in on my “issues.” I remember vividly sitting in my morning quiet time as the Lord clearly revealed…
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV84)
Have you ever been house hunting? Here’s one ad you might have missed: “House situated in hillside town with lovely pastoral views. This single room home will accommodate any size family with plenty of space for your cows and donkeys. It only takes one candle to light up the whole…
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. (Romans 15:7 NASB)
Thirteen years ago, I walked into a church for Wednesday night youth group for the first time after several years of walking away from my faith. When I walked into the gym I immediately was overwhelmed. “What am I doing here?” I thought to myself. “There is no way they are going to understand what I’ve been through!” As I was turning around to leave I was nearly tackled by a man named Bob who immediately introduced me to several others and invited me to play basketball. Eventually I was discipled by that very same man who accepted me that night.
I often…
…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB)
Throughout the New Testament, the Apostles give us some great examples of what Christ-like encouragement looks like. In the first chapter of Ephesians, we see the Apostle Paul exemplifying this type of encouragement by making it a priority to remind the church in Ephesus of Christ’s promise to work supernaturally through them by His power (v. 19), as well as praising them for the fruit in their lives that he was already seeing by way…
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2 NASB)
You have likely heard someone say that Christianity is a Team Sport, and in large measure, this is true. Maturity in Christ cannot be achieved in isolation, neither does it come by simply knowing propositional truth. Maturity comes when we seek to live out that truth in the context of biblical community as a part of “the team.” This is especially true as we consider the sinful fallen world in…