Hosanna

by Pastor James Bell

The first church Suzanne and I pastored was about fifty people meeting in a strip center. They were nice people and they were appreciative of our ministry to them, but there was a problem. They didn’t want to grow. “If we wanted to be in a large church, we would join one” they said. So they asked me to not make any plans to invite others or do any kind of outreach to the community. They explained their position very kindly, and I, just as kindly, resigned the next Sunday.

Looking back, I realize that in that church there was a fear of not being loved. People need to know that someone cares. This group had fallen victim to the myth that more people meant less available affirmation and care. In other words, the larger the group, the less people expect for others to care about them. But that’s simply not the case.

One of the most loving small churches I ever experienced was actually a small group within a very large church. I knew that I could count on the people in that group. They cared for each other. In fact, that’s what drew me to that church and that group. I saw, as an outsider, how they really reached out to each other.

The number one reason people join Hosanna is love. We are blessed to have quite a few other things going for us, along with some things that we could improve upon, but love is what opens doors more than anything else. I am convinced that the characteristic of God that is so attractive to non-believers is the love that they feel in his presence. We need that. Everyone of us yearns for that, even though some do not realize it until they experience it.

Now this is where you and I enter the equation. God desires for us to demonstrate his love to those who need it. Who are those folks? They are every person you know. What about haters? What about grouchy, cynical, mean-spirited people? They need love even more than most people! And they probably don’t get much of it.

When people feel loved, they begin to open their hearts to God. They rarely open their minds to change unless love provides a reason. Knowing that you care piques their interest. The door begins to crack open just a bit. Assurance that you are sincere in your feelings about people, about life, and especially about them, will result in doors flung open to the gospel. Jesus demonstrated love to the unloved. As much as we might love him at this point in our lives, it is still a response to what he initiated.

Somewhere there is a man or a woman waiting for you. He is wealthy, but unfulfilled. She is determined, but really struggling. He is penniless, but still hopeful. She has been rejected and abused. He feels angry and misunderstood. She is resentful and doesn’t see any way out.

The Lord simply asks you to be Jesus to one of these people. “How do I do that?’ you ask. “I’m not gifted in this kind of thing. At times, I am barely hanging in there myself.” You just show love when it  is unexpected. You listen and value and care.

Jesus does the rest. His love never fails.

Confidently,

James

Tags: love

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