If You Love Me: Serving Christ and the Church in Spirit and Truth Paperback – February 21, 2018

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A very good meaning for the service

I truly love the words of Fr. Matthew the Poor! Very touching and eye opening! Highly recommend this book if you’re interested in serving God, whether you’re Coptic or not.

Beautiful book. Its basically the translated sermons of fr. MattaI believe every servant should read it. You will benefit greatly from regardless of you are orthodox or not.

Very good book for servants of Sunday school. Shows the real meaning of service.

Great book

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told His disciples, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (St. John 14:23). This promise is the foundation upon which Coptic Monk, Matthew the Poor, (Father Matta El Meskeen) reestablished the Monastery of Saint Macarius in Egypt. It is also the foundation upon which all he wrote, spoke and taught during his lifetime.“If You Love Me: Serving Christ and the Church in Spirit and Truth” contains the writings of Matthew the Poor on serving Christ. Its’ target audience is monastic and pastoral leadership. It is a book rich in spiritual Truth and depth, yet it is said plainly and simply. However, much of what Abbah Matta says is applicable to any and all servants of Our Lord.As Christian parents, it was important to my husband and me to raise our children with hearts tuned to virtue and the care of their neighbors and friends. Teaching them right from wrong, “warm repentance” and leading them “in paths of virtue and fear of God” was primary. Though community service was a requirement for high school graduation in our school district, service in general was a focus in our family. From toddlerhood to teenage years, serving in one fashion or another, whether it be in the home (cleaning their rooms or the dinner table), in the church (work days, camp clean up, kitchen clean up) and in the community (volunteering at a local senior residence). Our prayer was that though they had great knowledge of the Scriptures through Sunday School and other programs, their hearts would be ones of servanthood and love for others. Our children are adults now and they have hearts of love for others and service. To God be the glory!The Preface, understandably, lays groundwork that this is a book that one “cannot breeze through.” Time and care, sometimes repeated reading, should be given as one is led through the book. This being the case, I was not entirely happy listening to the book, especially while driving in the car or doing another task. It was too easy to miss the many gems salted throughout the pages. The Narrator did a laudable job, reading at a very good pace, noting the footnotes and scripture references. If I had any suggestion to offer, it would be to find a way to avoid the natural inclination to hiss while pronouncing the letter “S”.I highly recommend the Audible version of “If You Love Me: Serving Christ and the Church in Spirit and Truth” by Matthew the Poor to not just pastoral and lay leadership but to everyone who loves our Lord God and wishes to develop a heart of servanthood in themselves, in their children and in their family.

What is the difference between Christian knowledge and Christian service? It seems like a question that doesn't need answering, but in modern times, that couldn't be further from the truth. Knowledge focuses on edifying the mind and in doing so, potentially gaining pride in the wisdom you have gained. In other words, "Look at me. I'm so smart!" Service, on the other hand, focuses on self-abandonment, mastering your desires, and surrendering to God so that you may serve Him by serving others. Matthew the Poor wrote on this subject, and Ancient Faith Publishing recently published some of these essays under the book title If You Love Me.The book begins by telling us about love being THE criterion for Christian service. This must be a love for God, His Church, and those we are called to serve. Next, we are given the qualities of a Christian servant. Matthew the Poor lists ten such qualities, some of which are a spirit of discipleship, a battle of inner selfishness, honesty, and impartiality. Other chapters include information about the people we are called to serve, spiritual diseases they will have, stumbling blocks and joys you will encounter on your path of service. The book then ends with ways to enhance our credentials for serving the younger generation. This includes prayer, fasting, the Sacraments, and a true devotion to Christ.If You Love Me is a beautiful and eye-opening book that every Christian should take the time to read. So many books recently published focus on the individual reading the book and how they can better or edify themselves, which is something we should strive for. And while this book touches on that, it isn't the main focus. Instead, we are invited to look at those around us and see how we can better serve them. This service will not only be physically edifying for those being served, but spiritually edifying as well, with the ultimate goal of leading them to Heaven. If you are looking for a book that causes you to shift your focus outward and look at your fellow man and not just yourself, then this is the book for you. Highly recommended for all Christians, especially pastors and spiritual leaders.

Truly an amazing insight into the beautiful world of serving Christ, the results of which leads the faithful into the Eternal Kingdom of God