May 15, 2016

This weekend, I am preaching on behalf of the Church of God in the state of Alaska.  I apologize that I will not be with you, but I am very grateful for the prayerful support of the Cathedral Congregation in all of our ministry endeavors.  Dr. Rebecca Skaggs will be bringing a beautiful message from the Word of God this morning.
 
We recognize that this is the initiative of the Holy Spirit within the Life of the Church is for the Love of Christ that is FOR us and has been given TO us, must overflow THROUGH us.  In so doing, the New Testament describes an attitude and lifestyle that is contradictory to our fallen Human nature and foreign to many people.  Yet, as Children of God and Ministers of His Grace, this is the way of life that Lord expects of us.  He is calling us to love with an authenticity that can only come from Jesus Himself.  The Apostle Paul told the Church at Rome…
 
Romans 12:9 NIV - Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 
 
Some have suggested that the word, “sincere” comes from two Latin words, “sin” and “cera” meaning, “WITHOUT WAX.” Referring to the practice of some unscrupulous sculptors and pottery makers who would cover flaws in their work by filling in the errors with wax.  Thus, something was “sincere” if it could stand to the heat of the sun and maintain the integrity of the vessel or work of art. 
 
The chain of history leaves this explanation a little suspect, however, the word sincere does mean exactly that: something that is not masked, hidden, or hypocritical.  In other words, like the Love of God Himself, our love for one another (and the LOST) must be without “angles,” ulterior motives, or hidden agendas.  OUR LOVE MUST BE SINCERE, AUTHENTIC, GENUINE, STRAIGHTFORWARD, and HONEST.  God is not calling us to APPEAR Loving, but to GENUINELY LOVE PEOPLE, and not just when they are “lovable.” Rather, we are to sincerely love them as Jesus loved us.
 
Romans 5:8 AMP - God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
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