Shepherd's Scroll
Love God Wholly and Others Sacrificially!
Matthew 22:36-40
Faith Family,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I give thanks to our gracious God for putting you all in our lives. Your faithfulness and your enthusiasm fill my heart with joy and helps complete my hope in Christ. Every day I look forward to serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alongside each of you and growing in our discipleship journey together.
Sunday, we celebrated the last Sunday of Advent looking at the theme of Love. In just a few short days, we will realize those gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that we have acknowledged since November 30th.
Love is a wonderful word. It is a word that is difficult at times to define. Is it a noun? Is it a verb? Is it an emotion, feeling, or action? I have always thought that words do really have meaning as much as they have usages. For example, can you define the word “love” in these two statements? “I love dark roast coffee!” “I love you!” The word love is being used but in two different ways. One is making a statement of preference, maybe even passion; while the others is talking about a deep emotional element which may or may not be displayed in action.
In the Greek, there are at least four ways to use the word “Love.” In Greek, the word used for love has a variety of spellings. For example there is “Philia” or “brotherly love”; “Eros” or “erotic love”; “Storge” or “familial affection” and then of course we have “Agape” or "Divine love.” But there are other words used to define love in different relationship types: Ludus (Playful); Pragma (enduring) and Philautia (self-love).
So, as you can see trying to define love can be a difficult adventure.
As we move towards Christmas and the Christmas Season, I would like to help you focus on one simple definition, use, or meaning of “Love.” The single focus is “Agape.” If we practice Agape, or divine love, then we tend to live out the positive aspects of the word and leave behind the negative aspects. What do I mean? Well, if we are loving as God would love, we would love our selves, but not in an unhealthy way that makes us seem better than others, arrogant, or prideful. We would love God with everything we have, and with all we are because that is how God loves us.
Jesus required obedience to his teaching. His teaching on love was simply two directions – love God wholly and others sacrificially. Why? Because that is what God does. Notice Jesus doesn’t put boundaries on who to love because God didn’t put parameters on who to love. What I mean is that we are not just to love the ones we like, the ones we have relationships with; the ones that can give us something in return. No, we are called to Love unconditionally which means no strings attached, no qualifications, nor applications to be filled out. People have been created in the image of God, and we are to love regardless.
Christmas is a time we remember God’s love for us because He sent Jesus to us as a baby. We also know that Jesus didn’t stay in the manger, but grew up, followed God, and ultimately died on the cross for our sins – the greatest act of sacrificial love. We are to love God and others like that. Can you?
Divine Love is action driven. It is not just a word, a feeling, or an emotion. Divine love demonstrates Divine presence. When we allow the Holy Spirit to grow in our hearts, so we can learn to love as Christ loves, we see that we can’t help ourselves but to act. We already do that for the people we like. We buy gifts to let them know we appreciate them and/or know them. But the key is that Jesus did that for those who didn’t like him. Can we live our Divine Love to those who don’t like us, or who we don’tlike? Can you?
Christmas is about God’s love sent to us gift wrapped in swaddled clothing. Our gift back to God is our willingness to submit our lives to living out Divine Love. May the Love of Jesus be seen in you as you journey into days ahead.
From my family to your family, Have a Merry Christmas!
Shalom,
Pastor Frank
2026 Holy Lands Trip
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Celebrating the Bible as the Word of God
We are an orthodox and traditional Global Methodist Church in Kerrville, TX.
We believe in the authority of the Bible as the inspired Word of God.
We believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and the Way.
What we believe: The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Jesus said, "Come and See." - John 1:39
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our vision is to be known for growing deep in worship and prayer, growing up as disciples, growing together in love and growing out in evangelism and outreach.
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Kerrville Global Methodist Church
301 Junction Highway at Five Points
Suite 230, 2nd floor
Kerrville TX
John Wesley -- founder of Methodism
1703 - 1791
John Wesley:
"My ground is the Bible. Yea, I am a Bible-bigot. I follow it in all things, both great and small. I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field."
Where to find us now ...
Kerrville Global Methodist Church
301 Junction Highway at Five Points
Kerrville TX 78028
Sanctuary: Suite 230
Executive offices: Suite 233
Conference room: Second floor
Mailing address:
Kerrville Global Methodist Church
P.O. Box 293787
Kerrville TX 78029
Minister: Rev. Frank C. Oakman
830-293-7800
Kerrville Global Methodist Church:
- Incorporated with the State of Texas.
- All donations are tax deductible.
- KGMC is tax exempt.
- KGMC is a recognized member of the Global Methodist Church -- www.globalmethodist.org
Thanks to the Lord and our generous congregation, we now own the buildings at 94 and 96 Coronado Street, off Junction Highway. Renovations are under way now with plans to open the new Kerrville Global Methodist Church Worship Center in early 2026.
Global Methodist Church Growth
Spreading Scriptural Holiness
That's 6,000 pulpits preaching the Gospel.
6,000 altars where hearts are renewed.
6,000 congregations worshiping in a variety of nations and languages.
