FAMILY REUNION: LET THERE BE LOVE – 1 COR. 13:13

AIM

1. To reunite us with our loved ones far and near.
2. To reconcile with those we have wronged or who have wronged us.
3. To encourage us to forgive and forget.
4. To replicate the love of God in sending Jesus Christ to us inspite of our unworthiness.
5. To remind us of the true essence of Christmas i.e. LOVE.
7. INTRODUCTION: In some nations of the world for obvious reasons, the period of Christmas is always set aside as a time to observe the culture, custom or tradition of reuniting families.  Basically a family reunion is an occasion when many members of an extended family congregate.  Sometimes reunions are held regularly for example on the same date of every year.  A typical family reunion will assemble for a meal, some recreation and discussion.

REASONS FOR FAMILY REUNION: It differs from family to family.  Each family has its own mixed reasons.

BASIS

To give young children opportunities of getting to know COUSINS, AUNTS, UNCLES, and other RELATIVES.  New spouses meet the members of extended family.  It is usually characterised with such activities like story time, games, eating, drinking, photography, prayers, reminiscences etc.

1. NIGERIA PERSPECTIVE: This is realistic in some parts of Nigeria today especially in the East with the culture of travelling at Christmas for the August meeting etc. With urbanization however this is becoming a serious challenge in some other parts of Nigeria with some children and grand children outside the shores of Nigeria, the hazards of travelling on Nigeria roads, with increased accidents and other ills in December, cost of transportable, kidnapping, fear of witches wizards change in cultural values due to economic challenges which is eroding care for extended family etc.
2. EXPLORING THE INTERNET/MODERN MEANS OF COMMUNICATION: This could explored to reunite with loved ones.
3. THE CHURCH AS A FAMILY: NEED FOR REUNION – Mark 3:31-35 – Jesus redefined the real meaning of family in christendom, My brother and Sisters are those who are doing the will of God.
4. FAMILY REUNION: THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHURCH: There is the preeminence of spiritual relationships over and above all others.
5. Obedience to God’s will is a mark of Christian family union – Matt. 12:50
6. Heirs with Christ – Rm. 8:17.
7. No barrier in Christian family union – Eph. 2:19
8. United saints in Heaven and Earth – Eph. 3:!5.
9. Brotherhood of Christians recognised by Jesus Christ – Heb. 2:11.
10. We have a common father – Prov.

Love came down at Christmas,
love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, Love divine;
worship we our Jesus,
but wherewith for sacred sign?

7. We share same spiritual kinship – Mk 3:34.
8. We have a blood relationship – Acts 17:26.
9. No harsh judgement – Rm. 14:13.
10. This family union and reunion entails self sacrifice – 1 Cor. 8:13.
11. THE CHURCH OF GOD AS A FAMILY: THE CHALLENGES – 1 Cor. 1:11; 1 Cor. 3:3, 1 Cor. 6:6; 2 Cor. 12:20; Phil. 4:2
12. Husband and Wives living as co tenants.
13. Unhealthy rivalry in the church.
14. EGO and over pricing of self
15. Selfishness and over ambition
16. Followers and Leaders of Societies
17. Priests and Parishioners
18. Leadership tussle, ignorance of boundaries etc.
19. In-laws outlaws (IN LOVE)
20. Quarrelling, Gossip, Tribalism, Party Spirit
21. Highlight other evidence of lack of LOVE as evident even in the early CHURCH..

1. CALL FOR REUNION

CALL FOR LOVE

LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

1. 3. Love shall be our token,
      love be yours and love be mine;
      love to God and others,
      love for plea and gift and sign.
   5. WHAT IS TRUE LOVE?

   There are three BASIC types of fruit as far as LOVE is concerned.

   1. THE FALSE LOVE
   • True Love is not just PHYSICAL ATTRACTION – That is SENSUALISM
   • True Love is not limited to FAMILY AFFECTION – That is FAVOURITSM
   • True Love is not SENTIMENTAL PLEASURE – That is EMOTIONALISM
   • True Love is not romantic fantasy – That is FALSE IDEALISM
   • True Love is not BLIND ACCEPTANCE – That is DECEPTION
   • True love is not PERMISIVENESS – That is indulgence
   • True love is not PASSIVE PITY – That is a sign of INNER WEAKNESS.
   • 1. Like our God, we must forgive and show mercy – Ps. 103:12, Exod. 32:14, 2 Sam. 24:16, Micah 6:8, Matt. 18:33, Eph. 4:32, Col. 3:13, Lk. 17:4, Prov. 17:9, Matt. 18:21-22.
     2. No grudge – Lev. 19:17-18, James 5:9.
     3. Eschew bitterness, put it away – Eph. 4:31-32.
     4. It is for our blessing – Matt. 5:7, Ps. 18:25, Matt. 6:15.THE TRUE LOVEThis is AGAPE, the love which involves REASON, CHOICE and UNSELFISH SACRIFICE. It is UNCONDITIONAL, UNIVERSAL and EVERLASTING,  IT IS free for all AND FORVER, IT IS GIVING, FORGIVING AND REDEEMING.

        The finest of this LOVE was given at CALVARY where Jesus died on the cross for our sins – Jh. 3:16.

        This love is beautiful, holy, gracious and merciful – 1 Jh 4:19; 1 Cor. 13:1 – exemplified this love as made manifest in Jesus Christ Himself.  Recorded in the spirit of Christ for our leaning in the spirit of love.

         

        The finest of this LOVE was given at CALVARY where Jesus died on the cross for our sins – Jh. 3:16.

        This love is beautiful, holy, gracious and merciful – 1 Jh 4:19; 1 Cor. 13:1–13  exemplified this love as made manifest in Jesus Christ Himself.  Recorded in the spirit of Christ for our leaning in the spirit of love. (SEE ADDENDUM ON CHRISTMAS VERSION)

         

        3. THE ROTTEN LOVE

        This is manifested in selfishness, hatred, anger, fear, hostility, resentment, bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness, condemnation, criticism, rejection and many more.

        These are all deadly poisons which can produce all kinds of sicknesses in one body soul and spirit.

        1. CALL TO FORGIVE: LOVE FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

        Love forgiveness and mercy are interwoven and interrelated.  Interestingly forgiveness is of far more benefit to the one exercising it than to the one to whom it is extended.  It has spiritual, psychological health and eternal implications. – Prov. 10:12b, 1 Peter 4:8b.

     5. SUGGESTED PRACTICAL WAYS OF FAMILY REUNION: NUCLEAR /EXTENDED/ CHURCH FAMILY

     This Christmas and beyond.

     (i)  Send a test  (ii) Send a gift  (iii)  Pray for that person mentioning the name (iv) Greet the person if there is an opportunity of physical touch.

   • 1. CONCLUSION

     As we celebrate this Christmas let us aim at reuniting as a family and sharing love for our own good.  Are you feeling unloved, unwanted, unneeded and worthless, are you hurt and sad, God’s unconditional love in Christ Jesus can forgive our sins, heal our broken hearts and restore our souls.

      

     Calvary is a proof of how very much God wants us in His beloved family. There is a fellowship in the family of God which can meet the deepest needs of our lives for love, joy and peace. LET THERE BE LOVE REVOLUTION. 

     SONG:  LET THERE BE LOVE SHARED AMONG US – Jh 13:35.

      Let there be love shared among us
     Let there be love in our hearts,
     May now your love sweep this nation
     Cause us o Lord to arise.
     Give us a fresh understanding
     Of brotherly love that is real.
     Let there be love shared among us
     Let there be love.

     1^ST CORINTHIANS 13 – CHRISTMAS VERSION (culled from an Email sent by a Parishioner)

     If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

     If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

     If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

     If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

     Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

     Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

     

   • Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.