LOVE

When people walk into our church, the first thing that should hit them is the love of God.

Not the choir.  I believe in the power of music and we have great music at Journey Church every weekend, but if people want great music, they can go a few miles up/down the road to Chicago or Milwaukee to the Symphony or the theatre.  They can go to Ravinia or the Marcus Center.  

What they should feel and sense is God -- and what is God?  God is love.

Isn't that what wins people to Christ?

It isn't great programs, for the most part -- although we have those.
It isn't great music, for the most part -- although we have that.
It isn't great preaching, for the most part -- (may I say) -- although we have that.

'Nothing softens the heart more than when people sense the love of God.'

Nothing softens the heart more than when people sense the love of God.  And if we don't have that, what good is it if the oratory is skillful -- if the preacher has it all together doctrinally -- if everybody on stage has perfect pitch -- but there's no passion for God -- there's no heart -- there's no love?

Jesus said:  "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

And be blessed.