“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him,
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” ~Matthew 22:36-40
His answer was clear: Love God. Love neighbors. Love yourself.
But there’s a problem.
You really can’t love God unless you love your neighbor.
(See 1 John 4:20)
So, you gotta love your neighbor.
But you can’t really love your neighbor, until you realize you ARE one.
(See Luke 10:25-37)
So, you gotta love yourself.
But you can’t really love yourself…I mean, actually, really, truly LOVE yourself, until you begin to UNDERSTAND something about yourself.
Why? Because love requires extending forgiveness, and grace, and mercy, which flows out of an understanding that the one we are loving is imperfect and unfinished, and worthy of love even in brokenness.
THAT, my friends, is why we are hosting the “Know Your Number” Enneagram Conference with Suzanne Stabile, on February 7-8.
The Enneagram is a remarkable tool to help a person understand herself more fully (her traps, her hidden motivations, her woundedness, and her pathway to healing through Christ.)
From that understanding, flows greater love for oneself, for one’s neighbor, and most importantly, for one’s God.
The conference is Friday (February 7) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday (February 8) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a 90 minute lunch break off campus, on your own.
This event will draw a large crowd from the Metro Atlanta Region. But, JCBC members may use the $20 discount by entering the special JCBC code found in The Call when you register.
In addition to this life-changing conference, I will begin a new sermon series one week prior (On February 2nd) entitled, “Me, Myself, and Why?” It will be a series designed to empower our members to grow more deeply in our understanding and love of ourselves, our neighbors, and our God.
I pray you will register today, and join us on this exciting journey!
Have I told you lately how much I love being your pastor?
Well, I do.
Shaun
Dr. Shaun King
Senior Pastor
Johns Creek Baptist Church