Kingston United Methodist Church

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Sermon: "Raise Up Intercessors"Acts 1:1-4
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.

The true mark of a Christian is love. This simple truth is the theme to the popular chorus: They will know we are Christians by our love. This truth according to I John 4:12, is the foundation of all relationships in the Church; No one has ever seen God; but if we love each other, God lives in us and love is made complete in us. When God lives in us, we cannot help but love him and each other. The Church is called to proclaim a message of Gods love in Christ for all persons. We often hear of those who will travel long distances in search for a loving church a place where they can feel warmth, acceptance and care.
I once heard a story about a church in Chicago that had a reputation for being a warm and loving fellowship. A boy had been walking for an hour, and his journey was only half complete. The snow was deep, and the church was still far away. Stopping to rest in a doorway, a stranger asked, Where are you going, son? Going to Dr. Moodys church, replied the boy. The stranger asked. Why do you walk past all these other churches? Because they really know how to love a fellow down there, shouted the child. He had been touched by Christian love.

We COME to CELEBRATE Christ, COMMIT to grow spirtually, CULTIVATE gifts and talents, and CONNECT with the world around us in order to make disciples for Him.