Called to Nurture 8/19/2025

Most Christians will say they want to see people come to Jesus and be gathered into the church. But when those newly saved actually arrive, some with rough histories and much brokenness, few seem to want to be involved in healing and teaching them. Most long-term Christians prefer to gather with others like themselves and have warm fellowship, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. But there is something wrong when that's all we want to do, when we've lost our love for the newly saved or troubled, for those Paul calls here the "weak in faith" and those Jesus calls His "little lambs" (Jn 21:15). Paul has been discussing the importance of loving one another for some time. Today, he will explore more deeply the challenges involved in choosing to love others. We will also hear Jesus' call to love not only those who agree with us but also those who test our patience. The gospel is more than a club; it's a family that sustains hope and support. Therefore, we are called to patiently nurture and welcome others into the church (our family), encouraging their growth and fostering unity through love and service. This helps build a spirit of unity among us.