1 John: Shining Christs Love Amidst Tragedy in Myanmar

Hello, dear friends!

As I reflect on our recent gathering, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to share God’s word with you. Today, I want to take a moment to revisit some key points from our sermon that I believe are vital for us as a community of believers.

We began by discussing the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28th. This tragedy has compounded the suffering already present due to civil war, leaving many without homes and in desperate need of help. Our own Paul Kemp is on the ground there, sharing the love of Jesus with those who are hurting. It’s a reminder that sometimes, it takes a tragedy to open hearts to the gospel. We can help by contributing to the Love Asia fund, which will provide food, water, and shelter to those in need. Let’s remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar, asking God to guide us in how we can best support them.

As we moved into communion, we reflected on the profound love of God. In 1 John 4:7-10, we are reminded that love comes from God, and that He showed His love by sending His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. This is a love that knows no bounds, a love that calls us to love one another. It’s a beautiful truth that we are made righteous through Him, and as we partake in communion, we are called to remember this incredible gift.

John’s emphasis on love is striking. In just a few verses, he mentions love 27 times! It’s clear that love is not just an action; it’s the very essence of who we are called to be as followers of Christ. We are reminded that if we claim to love God, we must also love our brothers and sisters. Love looks good on us!

However, we also discussed the danger of self-righteousness. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we are better than others because of our beliefs or actions. Jesus teaches us that this attitude does not reflect His heart. Instead, we should view others through the lens of love and compassion, recognizing that everyone is valuable to God. When we see people as lost rather than good or bad, we can approach them with grace and understanding.

Jesus shared parables about lost things—a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son—to illustrate how much God cares for those who are far from Him. Each time something was lost, there was great rejoicing when it was found. This is how God views us; He longs for every lost soul to return to Him. We must ask ourselves: how do we view those who are not like us? Are we quick to judge, or do we extend love and compassion?

As we go about our week, let’s challenge ourselves to see people as God sees them. Let’s reach out to those who are lost, not with condemnation, but with the love that Christ has shown us. Remember, we are called to be His hands and feet in this world, sharing His love with everyone we encounter.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Let’s continue to pray for one another and for those in need, both near and far. May we be a community that reflects the love of Jesus in all that we do.

God bless you all!