Pilgrim Baptist Association

24/05/2026

LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Main Text:
John 13:34-35
“ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
INTRODUCTION
Beloved brethren, this morning we want to look at a very important subject that concerns every child of God and every church congregation. The topic before us is:
“LOVE ONE ANOTHER”
One of the greatest signs of true Christianity is not how loudly we pray, how beautifully we sing, or how long we fast. The greatest sign of true Christianity is love.
Sadly, many believers today struggle in this area. There are churches where members no longer speak to one another because of offence. Some carry bitterness, jealousy, resentment, and unforgiveness in their hearts for years.
Some believers can worship together in church but secretly fight one another outside the church.
But beloved, this ought not to be so.
The church is called the body of Christ. If we belong to the same body, then we must learn to love one another, overlook weaknesses, forgive offences, and maintain unity.
Christianity without love becomes empty religion.
1 John 4:20 says:
“ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar...”
This morning, may God teach us how to genuinely love one another in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
1. LOVE IS A COMMAND FROM GOD
Love is not a suggestion. It is a command.
Jesus said in John 13:34:
“ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another…”
God did not tell us to love only people who are perfect. He commanded us to love one another.
In every church there will be:
different backgrounds,
different temperaments,
different levels of spiritual growth.
Some people will offend us knowingly or unknowingly. Some may disappoint us. Some may misunderstand us.
Yet God still says: “Love one another.”
Why?
Because love is the nature of God.
1 John 4:8 says:
“ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
If God truly lives in us, love must be seen in our lives.
A believer who constantly lives in hatred, bitterness, envy, and unforgiveness is not walking in the Spirit.
2. THE CHURCH IS A FAMILY
Ephesians 2:19 says:
“ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
The church is a spiritual family.
And in every family there will be weaknesses and imperfections.
No family throws away a child because the child made a mistake.
In the same way, believers should not destroy one another because of weaknesses.
Some Christians are quick to condemn fellow members. Some expose people’s faults instead of praying for them.
But love covers weaknesses.
Proverbs 10:12 says:
“ Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
This does not mean we support sin. It means we handle one another with mercy, patience, and compassion.
Brethren, some people are hurting silently in the church. Some are battling challenges nobody knows about.
Instead of judging them harshly, we should encourage and restore them.
Galatians 6:1 says:
“ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness…”
The goal of love is restoration, not destruction.
3. WE MUST LEARN TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER
One thing that destroys relationships in church is unforgiveness.
Offences will surely come because human beings are imperfect.
Even among the disciples there were misunderstandings. Yet Jesus taught forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32 says:
“ And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
Think about how many times God has forgiven us.
If God keeps record of every mistake we make, none of us will stand.
Yet many believers refuse to forgive others for one offence.
Some have stopped greeting each other.
Some avoid one another in church.
Some keep malice for years.
Brethren, unforgiveness is dangerous.
It poisons the heart. It destroys peace. It hinders prayer.
Mark 11:25 says:
“ And when ye stand praying, forgive…”
You cannot expect God to forgive you while you refuse to forgive others.
Jesus even taught us in Matthew 6:14-15:
“ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
May God remove every root of bitterness from our hearts in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
4. LOVE PRESERVES UNITY IN THE CHURCH
Psalm 133:1 says:
“ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Unity is precious before God.
Satan knows that a divided church cannot grow spiritually. That is why he brings:
gossip,
jealousy,
offence,
envy,
competition,
misunderstanding.
Many churches suffer today because believers fight themselves instead of fighting the devil.
Brethren, we must learn to protect the unity of the church.
Ephesians 4:3 says:
“ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Not every issue should lead to quarrelling.
Mature believers learn to overlook certain things for the sake of peace.
Ecclesiastes 7:21 says:
“ Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken…”
Sometimes people may say things that hurt us. Wisdom teaches us not to react to everything.
Some matters should be settled quietly with love and maturity.
5. TRUE SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS SEEN IN LOVE
Many people think maturity is only about prayer, fasting, titles, or preaching.
But true spiritual maturity is revealed through love and character.
1 Corinthians 13:1 says:
“ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass…”
Without love:
gifts become empty,
worship becomes noise,
service becomes meaningless.
A believer who cannot love people has not truly grown spiritually.
Colossians 3:14 says:
“ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
Love is the mark of spiritual maturity.
6. JESUS CHRIST IS OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE
Jesus loved people despite their weaknesses.
Peter denied Him, yet Jesus restored him. Thomas doubted, yet Jesus was patient with him.
Even while hanging on the cross, Jesus prayed:
Luke 23:34
“ Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
What a heart of love and mercy.
If Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, then surely we can forgive fellow believers.
Brethren, Christianity is not only about receiving blessings. It is about becoming like Christ.
And Christ walked in love.
PRACTICAL WAYS TO SHOW LOVE IN CHURCH
1. Pray For One Another
It is difficult to hate people you genuinely pray for.
2. Avoid Gossip
Do not destroy people with your tongue.
Titus 3:2 says:
“ Speak evil of no man…”
3. Learn To Apologise
Humility preserves relationships.
4. Encourage One Another
Your words can strengthen weak believers.
5. Forgive Quickly
Do not allow offence to grow into bitterness.
Ephesians 4:26 says:
“ Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”
6. Help The Weak
Support struggling believers spiritually and emotionally.
7. Avoid Jealousy And Competition
Every believer has a different assignment and grace from God.
CONCLUSION
Beloved, the church will never be perfect because imperfect people gather there.
But despite our weaknesses, God commands us to love one another.
Let us stop:
hatred,
gossip,
envy,
bitterness,
division,
unforgiveness.
Let us learn to:
forgive quickly,
pray for one another,
support one another,
overlook weaknesses,
preserve unity.
John 13:35 says:
“ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
May our church become a place of love, peace, unity, forgiveness, and spiritual growth.
May God help us to walk in genuine love toward one another.
In Jesus’ mighty name.
Amen.

01/05/2026

HAPPY NEW MONTH.

25/04/2026

25/04/2026

May the Lord bless your home.

25/04/2026

You are a winner.

16/04/2026

Finding God in Your Storm

​Main Text: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1 (KJV)
​I. THE UNINVITED GUEST: UNDERSTANDING
CRISIS

​Praise the Lord, saints of God!
​We serve a God who is not intimidated by the dark or moved by the wind. Today, we are standing on the front lines of a reality that touches every human life: the crisis.
​A crisis is an uninvited guest. It doesn’t knock; it crashes through the door. It doesn’t ask for permission; it demands your peace. Whether it is a financial drought, a diagnosis that shakes your world, or a family storm that keeps you awake at night, crisis has a way of stripping us down to our foundation.
​But I came to tell someone today: Your crisis is a chapter, not the conclusion. It is a location, not your destination. Men and women of great faith—Job, David, the disciples—all sat where you are sitting. They felt the sting of loss and the spray of the storm, but they discovered a truth we must hold onto today: The storm may be loud, but God is louder.

​II. THE ANATOMY OF A STORM: WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
​To survive the storm, you must understand its origin. Not every crisis is a sign of God’s displeasure; in fact, the source often dictates the strategy.
​The Reality of a Fallen World: Sometimes, life happens. Jesus promised us in John 16:33 that in this world, tribulation is a guarantee.
​The Consequence of Choice: Like Jonah, we sometimes find ourselves in a belly of a whale because we ran from the voice of God.
​The Attack of the Enemy: There are spiritual battles where the enemy tries to abort your destiny through pressure.
​The Divine Classroom: Like Joseph in the prison or the gold in the furnace, God often allows the "heat" of a crisis to burn away the dross so that His image can shine through you.
​Crucial Truth: Every crisis has a purpose, but not every crisis is from God. However, regardless of the source, God can use it for your good.
​III. THE TRAP OF THE WRONG RESPONSE
​Crisis doesn't usually destroy people; it is the wrong response that causes the wreckage. When pressure rises, the flesh wants to panic, isolate, or quit. Many people run away from the Altar when they should be running toward it. They make permanent decisions based on temporary pain.
​But you are not "many people." You are a child of the Most High.

​IV. THE BLUEPRINT FOR VICTORY
​How do we navigate the storm without sinking? Scripture gives us the roadmap:
​1. Run to the Rock
​When the heart is overwhelmed, don't look for an exit—look for the Rock. Psalm 61:2 reminds us that there is a height higher than our problems. Do not let your prayer life go silent. If you can’t shout, whisper. If you can’t whisper, groan. Just stay in the presence of the One who holds the oceans in His palm.

​2. Anchor in Sovereignty
​In Mark 4, Jesus was asleep during a gale. Why? Because He knew the end from the beginning. If God isn't panicked, you don't need to be either. Your calmness is your greatest weapon; it is a prophetic statement that says, "My God is bigger than this waves."

​3. Seek Divine Strategy
​In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat didn't just fight; he fasted. He didn't just plan; he praised. Stop trying to solve spiritual problems with only human logic. Ask God for the "Rhema" word—the specific instruction—for your specific storm.

​4. Build Spiritual Endurance
​God is not just interested in getting you out of the crisis; He is interested in what the crisis is putting into you. James 1:2-3 tells us that the "trying of your faith" produces something called patience—which is spiritual muscle. You are being strengthened for the next level.

​V. THE PROPHETIC DECLARATION
​I want to speak to the "Lazarus situations" and the "Red Sea moments" represented here today.
​Hear the Word of the Lord: * This storm will not swallow you.
​This fire will not consume you.
​This crisis has an expiry date, and that date is approaching!
​Jeremiah 32:27 asks, "Is there anything too hard for me?" Your bank account says "Yes," your body says "Yes," but the Heavens say "NO."

​CONCLUSION: THE REFUGE
​The storm is a platform for a miracle. Without the giant, David is just a shepherd boy. Without the furnace, the Hebrew boys never meet the Fourth Man.
​Don't waste your pain. Hold on to the Word. God is not a distant observer; He is a "very present help." He is in the boat with you, He is in the fire with you, and He is leading you to the other side.
​Your testimony is loading. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord! Amen.