GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME!
NORTH CAROLINA CHURCH OF CHRIST
March 17, 2024
Hospital: Pam Hamner-NAMC/5204, Barbara Parker
NAMC/pneumonia-not doing well.
Home: Jennifer Davis
Please remember Charles Miller in your prayers. He
is having heart & breathing issues.
Our sympathy is extended to Vance and Vaughn on the
Passing of Mr. Claude. Visitation will be Saturday,
March 23rd, from 1-2 p.m, funeral will begin at 2.
Burial will be a private family service.
Cedar View: Barbara Parker
El Reposo: Eldora Clemmons/104
LCNH: Prue Kelley/1
SHUT INS: Freddie Davis, Stacy McCormack, Evelyn
Newton, Betty Scott, Glen & Vicki Wright.
Please remember those in the nursing homes and our
Shut-Ins
ISAIAH’S CALL: Please continue to bring Hamburger
Helper Meals or give your donations to Amy, Ann, or
Pat.
The Lesson for next week in the Auditorium Class is
Adam, The Son of God.
Men – The material for the Auditorium Class for the
Spring Quarter is on the table in the foyer. Please look
at the lessons and sign your name to teach. The lessons
are inside the folder.
Please check the Bulletin Board for cards, etc.
The Shut-In Meal for March is this Friday, March 22nd. If
you have signed up to prepare food, please bring it to
the F’ship Bldg. by 10 a.m.
The Contribution report for February is on the table in the Library.
The 5th Sunday Fellowship Meal on the 31st has been cancelled.
That date is also Easter.
REMEMBER IN PRAYERS
Our Prayer List continues to grow. Please keep these
folks in your thoughts and prayers.
Michelle Bernstein, Alma Butler, Billy Bryant, Vicki Burbank, Donnie Carroll, Tom Childers, Jane Clark, Mitch Clemmons, Jim Clemmons, Brandon Cody, Caitlyn Dennis, Tammy Dial, Devin Faires, Dakota Garney, Bridgett Gattis, Carter Glascock, Kayla Hamner, Pam Hamner, Lori Hargett, Shirley Harmon, Cypress Hayes, Taylor Hendrix, Vickie Herston, Lana Hines, Christine Holden, Cindy & David Holden, Cindy James, Jewel Jaynes, Josh Jones, Joan Kell, Brock Killen, Don Lakey, Andy Lee, Franklin Lee, Madalyn Littrell, Brenda MacDonald, Charles Miller, Porter Mitchell, Peggy Montgomery, Luke Oliver, Tracy Pace, Micah Parker, Ethan Pennington, Kenzie Perkins, Dennis Phillips, Tamika Powell, Mike Prince, Linda Rickard, Lazaro Ruiz, Mike Schmidlkofer, Jean Symore, Steve Shelton, Barbara Smith, Betty Sparkman, Kevin Springer, Earl Tank, Brad Tank, Judy Tays, Patrice Tucker, Rene Voser, Luke White, Donna Wilkerson, Joyce Word, Glen & Vicki Wright
WHICH “LOVE” DO YOU HAVE FOR JESUS?
When we read the New Testament and study the Greek language behind our English translations, we find out that the Greeks had more than one word for “love,” and each of those words had a distinctive meaning. While the word agape existed in the Greek language before Jesus came to earth, Jesus came and snatched that word from the common language of the day and made it a distinctly Christian love. The Greek word phileo was commonly used in that day, as evidenced by cities named “Philadelphia” (Rev. 3:7), meaning “brotherly love.” So, which kind of “love” do you have for Jesus?
When we study the different Greek words for “love,” Christians often focus quite a bit on agape love (and rightfully so). This term truly became uniquely Christian. It is the ultimate, premier form of love that is unconditional, unselfish and seeks what is best for the one to whom the love is extended.
“God so loved the world” (John 3:16). This is agape love. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). This is agape love. “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (Eph. 5:2). This is agape love. Our Father and our Savior have agape love for us.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Matt. 22:37). This is agape love. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). This is agape love. We are to have agape love for our Father and our Savior. We are to love Him unconditionally, unselfishly and seek what He wants, rather than what we want. As Christians, I suspect that we expect that we need to love our Lord in this way. Do we?
Interestingly, there is another word that Paul uses for the “love” we are to have for Christ. In the closing verses of First Corinthians, the Holy Spirit revealed these words, “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22). The word for “love” here is not agape but the Greek phileo, which is a “brotherly love.” What does that mean? Phileo love is a tender, affectionate love that is tied to one’s emotions. It is the love between the dearest of friends that knits their souls together (cf. 1 Sam. 18:1).
So, which kind of “love” do you have for Jesus? Do you love Jesus with the ultimate, unconditional, unselfish love that yearns for what He wants? We must! But, do you also love Jesus with your deepest emotions, as your dearest Friend, with whom you want to spend every moment of every day right next to Him? What a warning Paul gives if we do not have that kind of tender affection for Jesus—“let him be accursed.” Let us mean it, “My Jesus, I love Thee!”
David Sproule
Via: Palm Beach Lakes Church of Christ
Palm Beach Gardens, FL