Trinity Missionary Church Podcast

Over the last ten weeks we have been on an in-depth study of the Life of the Apostle Paul. From conversion to his martyr's death, Paul loved the Church.  No, we are not talking about a particular congregation in a specific city from one of Paul's three missionary journeys.  The love Paul had for the Church was for all followers of Jesus Christ and was patterned after the love Jesus had for His people.  In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul instructs men to love their wives, "as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for Her."  This love reaches far beyond tolerating bad behavior or overlooking annoyances.  If we are to love others as Christ loved the Church, it requires sacrifice, patience, forgiveness and compassion.  The Apostle John wrote of this love in 1 John 4.  We cannot love God, but hate the Church- just as we cannot love the bridegroom but hate the bride.  John is very clear in his letter when he said, "If any one says, 'I love God," and hates his brother, he is a l