The Ultimate Treasure: Jesus’ Love<3 and Sacrifice

a bigger story featured

This past week, our grandson had a little adventure that reminded me of an essential truth in the Gospel. While exploring upstairs, he found an old watch case. To him, it was more than just a case—it was a treasure chest. The only thing inside was a piece of foam, yet he carried it around, declaring it his “little treasure chest” and even calling himself a pirate on a quest.

This child’s innocent excitement over a simple object struck a chord with me. It made me reflect on how we often hold onto things we consider valuable, sometimes unwilling to share them. But the true nature of a treasure is its capacity to be shared and to bring joy and benefit to others.

Sharing Our Greatest Treasure

In our faith journey, God has given us an incredible treasure: His faith, love, glory, and riches within us. And He calls us not to keep this treasure to ourselves but to share it generously. The Gospel is not just for us or our immediate circle; it is meant to spread far and wide, touching hearts and transforming lives.

Jesus Himself demonstrated this principle. He did not cling to His divine status but came down to Earth to give His life for us. Through His sacrifice, He reconnected us to the Father, offering salvation and a restored relationship with God. This act of giving is the ultimate example we are to follow.

In Philippians 2:5-7, Paul writes: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

Jesus: The Savior We Need

Often, we look for a Savior who fits our desires—someone who will solve our immediate problems or fulfill our worldly wishes. However, Jesus is the Savior we need, not necessarily the one we want. He addresses the deepest needs of our hearts, offering forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. His love and sacrifice meet us where we are and lead us to where we need to be: in a reconciled relationship with God.

Living Like Jesus at Lakeview Christian Church

At Lakeview Christian Church, we believe that living like Jesus is at the core of our mission. We summarize this mission with three key actions: Study, Share, and Serve.

  1. Study: We delve deeply into God’s Word to understand His will and grow in our faith. By studying the life and teachings of Jesus, we learn how to live and love like Him.
  2. Share: We don’t keep the treasure of the Gospel to ourselves. Just as Jesus shared His life with us, we share His love and message with others, spreading the Good News far and wide.
  3. Serve: We follow Jesus’ example of humble service. Whether within our church community or out in the wider world, we serve others, showing the love of Christ through our actions.

Finding Inner Strength

Sharing our treasure isn’t always easy. It requires us to overcome our natural inclination to hold on tightly to what we value. Yet, God provides us with inner strength—strength that goes beyond mere head knowledge. It touches our hearts and soul, enabling us to let go and give freely.

In Ephesians 3:16-17, Paul prays: “I pray that out of His glorious riches, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…”

Call to Action

As we reflect on the incredible treasure we have in Jesus, let us commit to sharing His love and message with others. This week, I encourage you to find one person to share your faith with—whether it’s a friend, a coworker, or a neighbor. Let them see the treasure of Jesus’ love through your words and actions.

Invitation

We invite you to join us at Lakeview Christian Church, where we are dedicated to living like Jesus through studying, sharing, and serving. Come and be part of a community that treasures God’s love and is passionate about making a difference in the world. Whether you are exploring faith for the first time or looking to deepen your relationship with Jesus, we welcome you with open arms. Visit us this Sunday, and together, let’s embark on a journey of discovering and sharing the greatest treasure of all.

For more information on our services and how you can get involved, please visit our website or contact us directly. We look forward to seeing you and growing together in faith and love.

Recent Sermons

Current Sermon Series: Proverbs - The Way of Wisdom

The Power of a Soft Answer: Handling Conflict with Grace

By Tricia Patton | July 25th, 2024
Posted in Quick Thought
Current Sermon Series: Proverbs - The Way of Wisdom

Finding Peace and Unity in a Fractured World

By Tricia Patton | July 23rd, 2024
Posted in Quick Thought
Current Sermon Series: Proverbs - The Way of Wisdom

Facing Conflict: From the Avengers to the Apostles

By Tricia Patton | July 22nd, 2024
Posted in Quick Thought
Current Sermon Series: Proverbs - The Way of Wisdom

The Balloon of Pride: Why We Need to Let Go and Let God

By Tricia Patton | July 19th, 2024
Posted in Quick Thought