"Proponents of American Christian nationalism argue that the church should fight to gain worldly power to promote their way of life and protect themselves from their enemies. Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us that power is to be used to self-sacrificially serve others, even our enemies." Caleb E. Campbell, Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian … Continue reading Quote of Note #185: Self-sacrificial Service
Tag: love of neighbor
Quote of Note #184: The Power of the Cross or the Power of the Sword?
"American Christian nationalism calls us to take up the power of the sword, gain more power, and use it to protect and promote our way of life. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and use our power to serve others, especially those who are not like us. When things seem out of control, … Continue reading Quote of Note #184: The Power of the Cross or the Power of the Sword?
Quote of Note #183: Giving Myself Away for Christ
"But the truth is that there is enough time and enough wealth to go around. The people in the churches every Sunday outnumber the people who are on the streets and the number of people who are on welfare. If the church took up the responsibility of caring for the poor, of living internationally, of … Continue reading Quote of Note #183: Giving Myself Away for Christ
Quote of Note #182: Holy Spirit-Empowered Non-violence
"I quickly came to understand that non-violence takes more strength than violence--and it takes more than just human strength. It takes God's strength working in human beings to produce self-control, gentleness, and the other fruit of the Holy Spirit. God's power comes in our weakness and brokenness." John M. Perkins, Dream With Me: Race, Love, … Continue reading Quote of Note #182: Holy Spirit-Empowered Non-violence
Quote of Note #177: True Christian Discipleship
"Orthopraxy. . . is demonstrated in relationship to God, his word, and people who are made in his image. Becoming an expert in doctrine does not make one a disciple. On the contrary, Jesus taught that the clearest evidence that we are truly disciples is when we 'love one another' as he has loved us … Continue reading Quote of Note #177: True Christian Discipleship
Pastor Note #134/Bible Note #55: Love of Jesus, Love of Neighbor
“Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law. Grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.[1] Luke 10:25-37 (NIV)25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he … Continue reading Pastor Note #134/Bible Note #55: Love of Jesus, Love of Neighbor
Quote of Note #165: “Love Your Enemies”
"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says, … Continue reading Quote of Note #165: “Love Your Enemies”
Quote of Note #164: Self-sacrificial Love
"God does not force us to do anything, including love our neighbor. Therefore, love is a choice, not a given. Love is an inconvenient choice, one that costs us time, resources, and at times our safety. God's love empowered by the Spirit, compels us to be countercultural, bearing witness to who and whose we are … Continue reading Quote of Note #164: Self-sacrificial Love
Pastor Note #125: A Maundy Thursday Devotional
Introduction:Today, the Thursday before Easter is traditionally called Maundy Thursday. This is pretty much the only context in which the word “maundy” is used in English. So, what does the word mean? Well, it comes from the Latin word “mandatum” which means “command.” This Thursday is called Maundy Thursday because we are meant to remember … Continue reading Pastor Note #125: A Maundy Thursday Devotional
Quote of Note #160: Respect for All
photo by GAC “Jesus rebukes every us versus them, erases every in versus out, banishes every elite versus outcast, and calls us to a strange Kingdom living and loving where Calvary levels all. To disrespect any person is to slap the face of Jesus and to slander the person’s Creator, God.” Leonard Sweet, Rings of … Continue reading Quote of Note #160: Respect for All
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 