Love People // Matthew 22:39

Be the Church | Week 3: Love People (Matthew 22:39)What if the heartbeat of every Christian was the simple, desperate prayer Desmond Doss whispered on Hacksaw Ridge: "Lord, just one more"?In this third installment of our four-week Be the Church series, Pastor Evan opens Matthew 22:39 to confront what may be the easiest command to agree with and the hardest to actually live out: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."This is the second peg of our church's mission (love God, love people, make disciples), and Jesus will not let us reduce it to Sunday friendliness or sentimental affection. He calls us to a sacrificial, gospel-fueled love that flows from the cross, refuses to leave the wounded on the ridge top, and breaks every circle we have drawn around our hearts.In this message, Pastor Evan walks through five movements:Love of neighbor flows from the love we have already been given (Ephesians 2:13)Our neighbor is anyone God places in front of us (Leviticus 19:18, 34)Love has a body. It is action, not sentiment.Love drifts in predictable ways, and we name 10 of them in the American church.The love of Christ breaks every circle (Ephesians 2:14)You will hear the stories of Desmond Doss and John Newton, the slave trader turned pastor whose memory near the end held only two truths: that he was a great sinner and Christ a great Savior. You will be challenged to identify where your own love has cooled, and you will be pointed back to a Savior who loved you when you were far off, when you were a stranger, when you had nothing to offer.Whether you have never trusted Christ or you are a believer whose circle has grown small, the invitation is the same. Come back to the cross. Let Him warm you up again. Then walk into your neighborhood, your kitchen table, and your cubicle praying the prayer that changes everything: "Lord, one more."Scripture: Matthew 22:39-40 Series: Be the Church (Week 3 of 4) Bethel Baptist Church | Topeka, KSBethel Baptist Church is a gospel-centered church in Topeka, Kansas, committed to helping people love God, love people, and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Join us for biblical preaching, Christ-centered worship, authentic community, and opportunities for the whole family to grow in faith.Plan Your Visit: www.betheltopeka.org/visitGive and Support the Ministry: www.betheltopeka.org/giveWebsite: www.betheltopeka.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethelTopekaInstagram: @BethelTopekaTikTok: @BethelTopekaKSIf you are looking for a church in Topeka, KS, we would love to welcome you to Bethel Baptist Church.Thanks for listening to this sermon from Bethel Baptist Church. If the message encouraged you, we would love to meet you in person this Sunday. You can find service times, directions, and more information at www.betheltopeka.org. And if you would like to support the ministry of Bethel, you can give securely online at www.betheltopeka.org/give. God bless, and we hope to see you soon.#BetheChurch #LoveYourNeighbor #Matthew22 #Sermon #BethelBaptist #LoveGodLovePeople #GospelCentered Thanks for listening to this sermon from Bethel Baptist Church. If the message encouraged you, we would love to meet you in person this Sunday. You can find service times, directions, and more information at www.betheltopeka.org. And if you would like to support the ministry of Bethel, you can give securely online at www.betheltopeka.org/give. God bless, and we hope to see you soon.