The world takes away our love for God and His Church.

* <1 John 2:15-16> – The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life are the greatest hindrance to loving God and the Church.

Loving the unity of the church.

* Two most prize values of the church – Purity and Unity

* Simplistic gospel to achieve unity?

* Doctrine may divide but it unites the church even stronger.

* <Eph 4:3>: Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Loving and appreciating Church Governance

* A strong and mature church should not center around one person or a personality.

* Proper church system and polity does not determine the essence of a church, but it affects its wellbeing.

* Good church governance helps a church choose trusted leaders.

* Loving church governance means being concerned about justice and love being practiced well in a church.

Loving the testimony of the church

* The church must have a different testimony as that which is embraced by the world.

* <Ro 8:17>: Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

* There is a sense of suffering that true-blue Christian embrace in their lives.

* <Heb 11:13> …admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

* <2 Cor 12:9> Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Loving the brethren who sinned.

* Restoration through confrontation and correction.

* <Gal 6:1-2>: Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

* The work of restoration is often neglected in the church.

* Dealing with sin is one of the main business of the church.

Loving the mission of the church.

* The great commission is given to the church not as a choice, but as a command.

* Loving the church involves a missional mind to bring the gospel to God’s unreached people.

* And the mission is not to make converts, but disciples.

*  <Jn 15:26-27>: When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

* The great commission and all its work revolving around it will go on and on till the end of age.

* The church is where a new humanity is created, and it is a humanity which loves each other, just as Christ loves us.

* <Jn 17:22-23>: (Father), I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.