The Selfless Love of Christ

 “The church has been described in a variety of ways, but I particularly like the imagery of an orchestra, where many different instruments play different harmonies, creating one beautiful piece of music,” said the Rev. Dr. Suzanne Nicholson, Professor of New Testament at Asbury University (Wilmore, Kentucky). “Of course, in the last few decades of The United Methodist Church, someone has dropped their tuba, the clarinets are squeaking, the drummers are all playing different competing rhythms, and who knows what the trumpets are doing! The many gifts and diverse contexts of the church only create beautiful music when we work toward the same goal, when we are unified (as the apostle Paul says) by having the same mind that is in Christ Jesus.”

Nicholson was addressing over 2,000 people who attended More Than Conquerors, the Wesleyan Covenant Association’s Sixth Global Gathering at Kingsway Christian Church in Avon, Indiana, and at 80 simulcast sites on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

Taking as her text the great Christ hymn in Paul’s Letter to Philippians, Nicholson wonderfully wove together a presentation that moved both the minds and hearts of her listeners.

“As we recognize the Spirit’s movement in the birth of the Global Methodist Church, we must take care not to grasp after money or position or influence,” said Nicholson. “Because Paul’s declaration that one day ‘every knee will bow and every tongue confess’ applies to the world, to the Philippians, and to us. One day, we will give an account to our Lord of how we have treated one another. Have we been grasping and clawing after power and recognition, or have we rejoiced in our suffering for the sake of Christ and set our minds upon serving one another?”

Enjoy viewing Nicholson’s learned, challenging, and joyful presentation.

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