Showing God's Love

“Who sinned,” the disciples asked Jesus upon encountering a man who'd been blind from birth, “this man or his parents?” (John 9:1-2)

It is commonly believed that one's physical state is a sign of God's judgment. A cousin of the tendency to “blame the victim.”

While we often want to debate the reasons for suffering and pain, Jesus cut the debate off abruptly. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)

Jesus saw this man's disability as an opportunity to show God's love by healing him. Jesus wants us to show God's love to those who suffer. In fact, he closely identifies with the suffering.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me...’ ‘...Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:34-36

Spiritually successful Christians serve others. In this way, we show God's love in practical ways. When we encounter a person in physical or spiritual pain, our first instinct ought to be to offer love and help. We must act quickly or lose opportunities. Hurting people will withdraw from church if they feel unloved. Jesus said, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

View a video of “Sharing God's Love”

This is part of the sermon series “How To Be Spiritually Successful.” It is based on the Masterlife study “The Disciple's Cross.”

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Baptist Temple recognized as Compassionate San Antonians

Billy Palmer, Karen Newman, Robert Newman, Jonathan Clark, Melissa Baxter, Councilwoman Rebecca Villagran, Pastor Jorge Zayasbazan, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Clinton Blumberg, Cathy Blumberg, Louise Stutteville, Ann Helmke

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg presented Baptist Temple Church of San Antonio the Compassionate San Antonian Award on March 20. The award recognizes individuals who serve our community through acts of kindness and compassion, making a difference in the lives of others. Baptist Temple was nominated along with several District 3 churches by the City of San Antonio's Faith Based Initiative Liaison, Ann Helmke. 

Baptist Temple was recognized for the innovative ways it has used its large inner-city city campus to serve the spiritual and physical needs of the community. These services include a PK4 through 8^th grade charter school, an infant through 5 years early learning center, a thrift store and food pantry, a prison ministry, a performing arts ministry, crafts classes, support groups, counseling and more. On Sundays, six independent churches conduct worship from 9 AM to 3 PM. These include a congregation that worships in Spanish and one in American Sign Language. To complete our cradle to grave services, our campus offers funeral services that are dignified and affordable.

All of these services are made possible by collaborating with others who share our desire to make our community and world a better place. One such collaboration brought a solar array to the roofs of the Baptist Temple Campus. A venture capital firm sells the solar energy collected to CPS Energy. For the use of our roof space, Baptist Temple receives a credit on our utility bill. While the credit is good thing, we are most excited about being a part of the effort to become less dependent on imported fossil fuels; an effort that is both earth-friendly and may keep us out of future wars. 

Recently, Baptist Temple has launched two cutting-edge efforts designed to bring lasting change to our community. The first involves breaking the bonds of generational poverty. We believe our best chance of bring lasting change is to reach children between the ages of 9-14. This is when their world view is forming. 

Baptist Temple seeks to help these children to stay in school and move on to college, trade school or the military. A world of success awaits them. All of our high schools have the resources to make our students succeed if they take advantage of the opportunities provided.

A second endeavor is an inclusive playground that will enable special needs children and children with typical abilities play together. This will foster mutual understanding, friendships, and a real sense of community. Baptist Temple is always looking for ways to be a positive impact on the community.

Partners multiply our impact while dividing our overhead costs.

Religion at its best

When Jesus and his followers encountered a man born blind (John 9), their initial plan was to discuss the reasons why this man was blind. This is often our first instinct. We want to understand or, maybe, to place blame. Jesus showed us the most appropriate response. He healed the man.

Religion is at its best when it is seen helping people in need. This is when the church shines. It demonstrates God’s love in a concrete way. A vivid example of this is in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (an event to which I was an eye-witness). While some are still arguing about whose at fault and what could have been done, churches have stepped up by sending money and volunteers to clean up and rebuild.

Here is one of many great stories:
Church-to-family model pays dividend in Louisiana hurricane relief
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27 NKJV)