Led by our own Rev Suzanne Nockels
It was great to finally welcome Suzanne as our Minister to lead the worship.
Hear O Lord: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and will all your strength.
Readings
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 6:19-24, 1 John 5:18-21
Sermon Summary: The problem with love
Hate is easy. It is our loves that get us into real trouble. Love is great but sometimes we love things in the wrong proportion. The Shema (Deut 6:4-9) begins with the ‘Lord is one’ which is better translated as ‘the Lord is your God alone’. What do we make into gods or idols? These things fail us because they cannot ultimately be God for us. They cannot love us like God can. What does our love of God look like? It is more than a feeling. It is a loyalty and a commitment to God.
Challenge for This Week
Write a list of the things you really love. Give thanks to God for them. Enjoy them! But ask the question ‘are any of them out of proportion?’ In what way is God over them or are you looking for that thing to be God for you? What small thing/big thing could you do that would restore God’s rightful place?
Lord, You are God alone. Be God over this love of mine. Change it if it needs changing or restore it to a healthy place in my life. Help me put You first because then I can see, reject or enjoy all things for what they truly are.