I never try to defend religion. Religion has spawned wars. Many so-called religious people have been characterized by prejudice, pride and bickering … I would call you to a simple faith in Jesus, who said, Love your neighbor as yourself. – Billy Graham
Chris Tomlin – Jesus Messiah (Lyrics And Chords)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdxSC1tHJn0
Father, help us to learn that if we love one another we honor you and show our love for and obedience to you as we fulfill your commandment. Be with us as we strive to do this. Amen.
Grateful | Live | Elevation Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh2goMABFPc
Romans 13:9 (NASB)
The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
We Rejoice | Live | Elevation Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cL-XcNXzc
Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.
TobyMac – I just need U.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wNpOeakhEM
Today’s Passage: Matthew 5:13-20
Message [used with permission from A Sermon for Every Sunday]: Ruining the Darkness – The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany by Reverend Phillip W Martin, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Richmond, Virginia.
Listen as Phillip Martin sheds light on today’s passage from Matthew 5:13-20. He says, “While your light is important, Jesus is not speaking about individual lights here. He is speaking to his disciples as a group…their power as a collective.” This concept can be quite challenging to our individualistic society. Perhaps we have much to learn from our early Christian predecessors about how to light and flavor our world today.
Father, help us to strive for peace with everyone, not because it is the tune of our day but because in You we have our only hope and it is what you desire of us. Amen.
Faithfully Yours Forever 