This is Part 9 of Pastor Chuck Bernal’s message series, “Passages That Pump Me Up”. This message explains why it is so important for those of us who are Christians to show the validity of our faith by loving one another - and how our love for one another is a powerful witness to those who don't know Christ. This messsage was delivered at LifePointe Church in Crowley, TX on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

1. THE POWER OF LOVE
Passages That Pump Me Up
Message Series - Part 9
07-26-15
Pastor Chuck Bernal
The importance of connecting people in
the church cannot be overemphasized.
Relationships are the glue that holds a
church together. In a recent survey
people were asked, “Why did you join
your church?” 93% said, “I joined because of the pastor”. When asked, “What if the
pastor leaves, will you leave?” That same 93% said, “No. Because I have friends
here!” Strong relationships are one of the keys to a healthy church and no church
will be stronger than the relationships its people have with each other. In fact, in
the same survey, 400 church dropouts were asked why they left and 75% said
“Nobody really cared about me.” The lesson: the church is to be based in and built on
love and it if isn't, it will never accomplish God’s purposes in our lives or in the
world.(RickWarren)
LOVE: OUR GREATEST COMMANDMENT
The most important commandment says: You must love God with all your heart, soul,
mind, and strength. The second most important commandment says: Love others as
much as you love yourself. No other commandment is more important than these.
(Mark12:30-31–CEV)
Loving God and loving others is the most _________________ thing in life
LOVE: OUR GREATEST MESSAGE
So I give you a new command: Love each otherdeeply and fully. Remember the ways
that I haveloved you, and demonstrate your lovefor others in those sameways. (John
13:34 –TheVoice)
I’mgiving you a new commandment:LoveeachotherinthesameexactwaythatI
haveloved you. (John13:34 – NOGB)
We are to love others the __________ ________ _____ that Jesus love us!
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John
13:34-35 – The Voice)
Everyone will know you as My followers if you demonstrate your love to others. (John
13:35– TheVoice)
We show the world that Christianity is_______________ byloving others

2. LOVE: OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE
If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. (Romans 12:18 – Msg)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
(Romans 12:18 – NIV)
With God’s help, we should try our hardest to get along with
_______________________________________________________
LOVE: THE 5 C’S OF GREAT CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS
Here’s what I want you to do . . . pour yourselves out for each other in acts of love,
alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel
on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and
inwardly . . . What this adds up to is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell each
other the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, afterall. When you
lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry —but don’t use your
anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the
Devil that kind of foothold in your life . . . Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or
dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve
God. Don’t break his heart . . . Make a clean break withall cutting, backbiting, profane
talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and
thoroughlyas God in Christforgaveyou.
(Ephesians 4:3-4, 25-32 – Msg)
____________________________ - We are afamilynomatterwhat happens
_______________________ - We must be open andhonest with eachother
___________________________ - We need toforgive and not hold grudges
___________________________ - We should alwaystryandhelp eachother
___________________________ - We willgrow stronger aswe grow closer
LOVE: OUR GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Loving God and loving others is the most IMPORTANT thing in life
LOVE: OUR GREATEST MESSAGE
We are to love others the EXACT SAME WAYthat Jesus love us!
We show the world that Christianity isREAL by loving others

3. LOVE: OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE
With God’s help, we should try our hardest to get along with
EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY
LOVE: THE 5 C’S OF GREAT CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS
COMMITMENT - We are a family nomatterwhat happens
COMMUNICATION - We must be openand honest with eachother
CONFLICT RESOLUTION - We needto forgive and not hold grudges
COMPASSION - We should alwaystry and helpeachother
CONNECTION - We willgrow stronger as we grow closer