In what ways can our church community "excel even more" in love today? Grounded in a Growing Love “Indeed, you do show love to all the brothers… yet we urge you… excel more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:10). Paul states plainly that genuine love is already present—yet Scripture commands us to stretch further, never settling for yesterday’s level of care. Love That Goes Deeper Than Politeness • Make every Sunday a deliberate time to greet, listen, and learn someone’s story. • Form inter-generational friendships; pair younger believers with seasoned saints for regular meals or calls (Titus 2:3-5). • Quickly forgive and seek reconciliation when hurt arises (Ephesians 4:32). Our unity must outpace offenses. Love That Shares Burdens Generously • Create a discreet fund for members facing sudden needs—medical bills, rent, groceries (Acts 2:44-45). • Keep a standing “meal train” list so no one walks through illness or childbirth alone. • Offer practical skills—car repairs, tutoring, résumé help—so Christ’s body supplies “every joint” (Ephesians 4:16). Love That Speaks Truth with Grace • Commit to gentle, Scripture-saturated counsel when a brother or sister strays (Galatians 6:1). • Encourage publicly: write notes, text verses, call out evidences of grace you see (1 Thessalonians 5:11). • Guard conversations from gossip; choose words that “give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Love That Steps Outside Our Front Door • Adopt a local school, nursing home, or shelter for sustained service—showing good works “so that they may glorify your Father” (Matthew 5:16). • Host community dinners or free classes in the church building; invite neighbors to experience fellowship before they enter a worship service. • Support missions and church plants beyond our region, mirroring Macedonia-wide concern (Philippians 1:5). Love That Keeps Showing Up • Pray through the membership roll daily in small chunks; share with each person the verse you prayed (Colossians 1:9-10). • Maintain consistent gathering rhythms—Sunday worship, mid-week study, informal coffee catch-ups—because “we should not neglect meeting together” (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Persevere when weary: “Let us not grow weary in doing good… let us do good to all” (Galatians 6:9-10). Love That Proves Our Identity “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). As we excel still more—deeper, wider, steadier—our community displays the unmistakable mark of belonging to Christ. |
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