Do Not Be Surprised

September 14, 2017

DAILY READING
1 John 3:11-16
This week’s sermon text: Romans 6:1-14, 15-23

FIELD NOTES
Michael Gungor, a Christian musician and author, recently made a statement on social media that was relevant to today’s passage. He said,

“Love is the narrow path…demonizing the other and loving your own is the easy and natural thing to do. The broad path that leads to destruction.”

A provocative statement for sure, and yet, look at our passage today. John implores us to love one another and to not be surprised if the world hates us because of this love.

And so we must love one another. Let us not be filled with hate. More so, let us not be filled with fear of the other, which leads to hate. May our love be deep and wide, so that we may, ironically, cling to the narrow path Jesus calls us to.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Why do we fear those who are different?

PRAYER GUIDE
Lord, soften our hearts. Help us submit to you. Guard us against our own sense of self-worth, knowing our worth comes from you and who you created us to be and not from what we do or what we gain here in our time on earth. May our love be fearless. May our love be all encompassing. Amen.