Crazy Love
Crazy Love
Our focus this summer at WestSide is to learn to love and serve like Jesus. We are taking a good hard look at the “Love Chapter” (1 Corinthians 13), the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 4,5,6), and many other passages.
Jesus is the best example of showing the love of God to others and we want to be like Him.
We have talked about how many people outside the church view Christ followers as homophobic, judgmental, politically motivated, and hypocritical. Just saying these labels don’t fit us isn’t enough; we need to show that these labels don’t fit us.
We have looked at John 13:34-35; Romans 13:8; Galatians 5:13 and many other scriptures to find that to live like Jesus is to love like Jesus.
We began this series on Sunday, June 6, the anniversary of the D-Day invasion of World War 2. I called for an invasion of love and service to win back ground lost to the enemy.
A few weeks into the summer I began giving weekly assignments so that we may practice loving and serving like Jesus.
Each Sunday as we gather for worship we share our stories about what happens as we carry out the assigned tasks. Please consider joining us as we love and serve in Jesus’ Name!
CRAZY LOVE ASSIGNMENTS
Week 1: This week we looked at how Jesus washed the disciple’s feet; a very practical but humbling way to serve. Since washing people’s feet isn’t something we do in our culture we need to find similar ways of serving others. Our assignment is to “wash the feet” of someone else; mow their lawn, visit someone in the hospital, prepare a meal for someone (besides your family), etc. If you get a “crazy” idea it might just be from God. Don’t shrug it off…do it!
Week 2: This week you are to bake some cookies (or similar treat), or write an encouragement card and include a Dutch Bros. coffee card (or similar gift), or find some sign of appreciation and give it to your garbage man, postal carrier, newspaper deliverer, or someone who regularly serves you. The catch with this one is that it must be handed to them in person! Have fun with this!
Week 3: This week we read the story in John 8 about the woman caught in adultery being brought to Jesus. Her accusers were ready to stone her to death, but Jesus showed her mercy; something she least deserved or expected. The accusers dropped their stones and walked away. Our assignment is to show mercy, compassion, and love to someone even though they don’t deserve it or expect it. You may need to “drop the stones” you have been holding.
Week 4: This week’s assignment is an easy one. Write a letter to someone who had a positive influence on your spiritual journey; someone who showed you what the love of Jesus is all about. If that person is deceased then write your letter to God thanking Him for sending that person into your life.
Week 5: The assignment this week is to write a letter of praise and thanks to God. Thank Him for the changes he has made in your life and for loving you like crazy!