By: Liz Winders, Director of Communications,
Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai delivered a powerful sermon on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC. In her sermon, "What's Love Got to Do with It?" Bigham-Tsai emphasized the importance of love in our daily lives and challenged attendees to put love into practice.
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At the Providence UMC Contemporary service, "The Net", the praise band played "What's Love Got to Do with It" as Bigham-Tsai took the stage and danced along.
Bigham-Tsai, speaking to the shared values of United Methodists, referred to the song by Tina Turner and declared that love has nothing to do with violence or any form of aggression. She condemned the societal and global conflicts that plague our world and highlighted that love is central to the United Methodist faith, with God being the epitome of love and our greatest commandment being to love God and our neighbors.
Referring to John 15:9-17, Bigham-Tsai said "Now, what these passages suggest, is that as various branches that come from Christ, who was the true vine, we have the same root system as he did. We have the same sap running through our veins as he did and we are to provide the same fruit that he did. We are to produce love. That's because our root system is grounded in the love of Christ. The sap that runs through our veins is synced in the love of Christ.
Bigham-Tsai urged the congregation to consciously choose to love, even in the face of adversity. "We must remain committed to loving others as Christ loved us," she said and reminded them that our actions, not just words, demonstrate our love and have the power to make a difference.
Emphasizing the importance of love in their daily lives, Bigham-Tsai stated, "Love identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ and directs our very being." She encouraged the congregation to continue feeding the hungry, housing the unhoused, and supporting the marginalized, fulfilling the mission of the United Methodist Church to transform the world through love.
Bigham-Tsai also discussed the "Sent in Love" document, which outlines the United Methodist Church's understanding of the church's nature and mission. She highlighted that as a community restored by divine love, believers are called "in love with all Christians to participate in the one saving mission of God."
In her conclusion, Bishop Bigham-Tsai's sermon served as a powerful reminder to United Methodists that love is the guiding force in their lives and that they must live out their faith through compassionate and transformative actions. She emphasized that love is the most powerful and enduring force for good, especially in a world often filled with division and conflict. Her message encouraged attendees to continue spreading love and hope in their daily lives, fulfilling the mission of the United Methodist Church to transform the world through love.
