Make The Cross of Christ Greater

Imagine if we saw Romans 5:5 came to be reality in Sioux Falls and in America. WOW, what a stark contrast to the world we live in. “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” We are living in a world filled with hatred, lust, and greed. 1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” What if we were driven and compelled by the love that the Holy Spirit produces in us. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” What if we were to consider other’s needs above our own. 1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter. What if, by the grace of God and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, this would become a reality for the church of Sioux Falls? “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” We are all praying for revival in America. I don’t believe that revival is something difficult. It is God, through His Spirit, reviving what has already been vived. It is God reminding us again of our sin and how great it separates us from Him. It is making the cross so important in our lives again. It is confessing our sin and truly turning away from those things that God hates. It was the sin of Israel that they heard the scripture and agreed, but did nothing to change. This is also our sin today. Revival begins with God and then His people, who are called by His name, need to respond to His Spirit. Are we willing to lay down our lives, our needs, our wants, our desires, to see the will of God done? Are we willing to be compelled by love? Oh, that we would understand the love of God. Imagine if the church in Sioux Falls was so filled with the love of Christ that they would lay down their offenses with each other and begin an outpouring of love in this city. For example, A.W. Tozer tells a story of an outpouring of love that the Baptist church he was a guest pastor at 50 years ago experienced that changed the city. The church people confessed their sins, forgave each other, and began to love their city. The pastor of the church had a connection to the local prison. He asked his church to begin housing prisoners that were being released. The church responded. An older couple of the church took in a newly released prisoner. They were excited to help this gentleman out with life. Unfortunately this gentleman ended up robbing and killing this older couple. The entire town showed up to their funerals. The amazing sermon at their funeral was preached about how the love of Christ had compelled them to lay their life down for their friend. Instead of offense, the church continued to help any prisoner that needed a home and help. It ended up changing the city. This is God’s heart for this city. He wants to do so much more here. My prayer is that we would open our hearts, confess and repent of our sin, and allow the love of God to be shed abroad in our hearts. This is what births revival in us and the church. This is what changes cities. May the cross of Christ become greater in Sioux Falls! PRAISE:

• The transition to the summer schedule has been smooth so far.

• The great response we received for the Celebration Dinner.

Prayer Requests:

• The Glasser Family leaves on Wednesday for Ukraine. Keep them in your prayers this summer. Pray for their safety, their opportunities to minister and cast vision for campus ministry, for continued spiritual growth for each of them, and for their time of retreat.

• That the staff could get to their goals they set for their support.

• The students and staff would continue to grow spiritually through the summer.

• Students would make decisions for salvation.

#JohnGlasser