The heart is one of the most vial organs in our body, in fact we equate life and death at the beating of our heart. The moment that are heart stops the rhythm of compression, we mark the body to be expired. Jesus taught on “heart issues” in his sermon on the mount. He spoke to our motivation and internal perceptions which can distort our picture of God and our world. Jesus declared, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God!”

Our heart ultimately is the place of worship. In Matthew 22, Jesus was being tested on what is the greatest commandment and he responded with clarity and simplicity. Love the Lord your God will all you heart, all your soul, and all your might and Love your neighbor as yourself, the law can be summed up in these two commands. WOW! 613 Laws comprised of the Torah, 39 Old Testament books had been written concerning the progression revelation of Jehovah God. Jesus took it all and summarized the heart of the commandments, Love God, Love People.

Healthy Churches, Healthy followers truly grasps this vision of Love God, Love People. It might be simple in concept, but it is difficult to live out because our hearts can be so easily contaminated and congested with the cares of this world, with the entanglement of life’s issues, and the difficulty of working with and around people.

Healthy Churches have a heart of Worship! Worship is not a style, song, but a sacrifice. They have learned to become living sacrifices as Paul declares in Romans 12:1-2. They have given God their heart, in whatever condition it is in, bruised, battered, torn, clogged, and said, Lord I give you all of me, with all that is in within me. You see this Love in their GIVING, SERVING, and BEING. They are teachable, generous, servant-led, and give God their best in all that they do.

Healthy Churches have a heart of SERVING. What does it look like to love your neighbor? Jesus modeled LOVE by taking on a towel and serving his disciples. In fact, Jesus declared in the Gospel of Mark, I didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and give my life as a ransom for many. They serve out of titles, but out of towels. They are always reaching, loving, serving, and growing. In fact, they have a strong passion and pursuit of those who are far from God! They understand the power of the towel! They are called to serve their COMMUNITY through their CHURCH instead of SERVING their CHURCH for THEMSELVES.

It’s truly FOR GOD and FOR OUR NEIGHBOR.