An Open Heart
An Open Heart
Obtaining God’s heart for others.
So, how do we develop an open heart like our Father who makes the sun rise and the rainfall on both the evil and the good?
Welcome to the Light of Christ Weekly Podcast. Light of Christ Anglican Church is located in Georgetown, Texas at MLK and University Avenue. We are a modern expression of the ancient faith. You can learn more about us at lightofchristgeorgetown.org.
Our sermon soundbite today is based on Matthew 5 beginning at verse 43. "And you have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
So how do we develop an open heart like our Father who makes the sun rise and the rain fall on both evil and the good. Well, just like the sunlight falls and the rain falls and brings life to the barren ground, we are invited by God to let his love, flowing from his open heart, fall on us. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit. And when God's love falls on our hearts, our hearts are opened up and flow out with love for enemy. And where do we find this love that flows to even the enemy? We find it here at the cross.
This is where God loved his enemy. Where he turns the other cheek, to be beaten by us. Where he goes the second mile to carry his cross. Where, through giving his body, he gives eternal life to the robber and all other sinners who ask him. Do you want to have an open heart like God, a heart that's in sync with the Triune Love? The only way is to be snatched up into his loving embrace at the foot of the cross, where he declares, "Father forgive them for they don't know what they do."
Thank you for listening to the Light of Christ Weekly Podcast. Let us end our time together with a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer. This prayer is found on page 24.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the Cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
