February 24, 2008 by PastorDave.

#303, Love Your Enemies, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday, 02-24-2008

Text: Matthew 5:44

INTRODUCTION

1. February, traditionally the month of love.
2. We have looked at loving the Lord, loving our neighbors, loving the lost and today is probably the most difficult love to activate in our lives….
3. To prepare us for Jesus’ Words today allow me to set the stage.
4. Do you ever wonder why God allows so many people to annoy, irritate, and provoke us?
5. Some understanding may come from the comparison that God makes between believers and stones that need to be perfectly cut so that they fit together, side by side.
6. Ephesians 2:19, 21,22 – “You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s household…In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to becoming a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
7. The phrase “being built together” can also be read, “Fitly framed together.”
8. It means an action that happens to us over and over again to change us so that we fit side by side perfectly no filler, cement, or glue.
9. A great illustration of this is found in 1 Kings 5 & 6, where King Solomon is building the Temple of God.
10. 1 Kings 5:15 – “Solomon had…80,000 stonecutters. (show stonewall fitting together)
11. Each stone was so perfectly prepared that it needed no further hewing or cutting after it was put in place for the Temple, it was finally “cut perfect” for its place.
12. Now, if we can view those that hurt us or are hostile towards us as God’s stone cutters (hewers) we can be ready for the next group of people Jesus commands us to love.
13. Matthew 5:44 – “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
14. Immediate encouragement: 1 Peter 5:10 – “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

WELCOME GOD’S “STONECUTTERS”

1. A reason Jesus commands us to love our enemies is that He has higher purposes for them than to just make our lives miserable.
2. The challenge with God’s “Stone Cutters” who “chip away” at us is that they are usually forceful, aggressive.
3. So our response is to completely close our spiritual ears to the message God is trying to send to us through them.
4. Often the message from God has to do with finding a better “balance” in our life.
5. We often live our Christian lives out of “balance” with the truth of God’s Word. We pick something and plow people over with it. Even though it’s truth, its truth out of balance; and truth out of balance leads to heresy. (religious opinion thought true)
6. God may be using enemies to send you a message, are you listening?

LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF

1. The story is told of a missionary who was making his way through the jungles of Africa, suddenly he felt a bite and looking down he saw a very poisonous snake.
2. Within minutes he would have great pain, swelling, and sickness.
3. But he was prepared for the attack, he reached into his bag and using an electrical shock he neutralized the venom.
4. When an enemy curses us with bitter, harsh words, it is like a snake bite to our souls. These venomous words will do deadly work on us emotionally unless we can quickly neutralize the venom.
5. We can do this by a heart response of blessing. (Bless those that curse you)
6. Blessing can be a prayer where you ask the Lord to fill that person with the qualities you discern they are lacking. (Patience, wisdom, understanding, kindness etc…)
7. “Cursing our enemies is like drinking poison and waiting for our enemies to die.”
8. I pray God give each of us the grace to neutralize venomous words by learning to bless those that curse us.

CLASSIFY YOUR ENEMIES

1. King David was traveling one day and a man was cursing him from a distant hill.
2. 1 Samuel 16:10-12 – “If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, curse David, who can ask why do you do this…Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him too. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the curse I am receiving today.”
3. What an incredible response by the King. It shows us the first classification of enemy: ones we make because of our own failures.
4. Proverbs 16:7 – “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
5. Maybe with them God wants us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
6. The second classification is those who are against God and his purposes. They attack us because of our relationship with the Lord
7. Psalm 56:9 – “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.”
8. We need to humble ourselves and cry out to the Lord for His Spirit to work.
9. It is healthy to recognize if the enemies are “mine” or “God’s.”

BE MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR ENEMIES

1. Proverbs 29:25 – “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
2. Hebrews 13:6 – “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
3. When we fear man more than God we are spiritually crippled and our enemies become powerful off of our fear.
4. We fear what people will think about us, what will happen to us, losing our lifestyles, friends, we fear punishment, fear losing our lives.
5. 1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
6. Our fear of God has to take over our fear of man.
7. God’s perfect love for us will cast out unhealthy fear!
8. I know this story is extreme but nevertheless it is true (Pastor in Romania)
9. Matthew 10:28 – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who destroy both soul and body in hell.”
10. We become more powerful than our enemies when we let the perfect love of God drive out the fleshly fears that live in us.

CLOSING

1. Jesus commanded us in Matt. 5:44 to love our enemies bless them that curse you.”
2. Who are the people in your life that you know in your heart you have an “enemy” relationship with?
3. I want all of us to close this service in an immediate act of obedience to Matt. 5:44.
4. Lift our hands, Lord I ask you to bless ___________________. Help me to do good to them and reveal your eternal love and plan for their life in Jesus Name Amen.

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »

February 17, 2008 by PastorBob.

Love The Lost, Pastor Bob Salliby, Sunday 02-17-2008

INTRODUCTION

1. SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 5:13-16 (JESUS) “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
2. PRAYER
3. WHY DID GOD LEAVE US HERE? When we get to Heaven
   1. BIBLE – The living Word (Jesus), Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, Moses, Isaiah, David
   2. PRAYER – We will speak with Jesus face to face
   3. WORSHIP – We will worship literally in His presence
   4. FELLOWSHIP – Saved family members, friends, Joshua, Daniel, Benjamin, Mary and Joseph, Phillip, Mary Magdalene, Samaritan Woman,
   5. THOSE WHO LED US TO CHRIST
   6. THOSE GOD USED US TO LEAD TO CHRIST
   7. IN HEAVEN WE CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYONE TO CHRIST
   8. MATTHEW 5:16 “…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

WHY SHOULD WE LOVE THE LOST?

1. BECAUSE GOD LOVES THEM:
   1. John 3:16 (Jesus) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
   2. Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
   3. Romans 5:7 and 8 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2. BECAUSE THE BIBLE COMMANDS US TO LOVE THEM
   1. Galatians 5:22 and 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control
   2. 1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
   3. Matthew 5:44(a) (Jesus) “But I say unto you, Love your enemies,…”
   4. A slogan that used to be very popular is, “Jesus in me loves you”. This is the key to loving everybody and anybody. The apostle Paul is quoted in Galatians 2:20(a) as stating what should be the testimony of every true Christian: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
   5. DRAW CLOSE TO GOD – Bible, Prayer, Church, Christian Fellowship, Availability (Surrender) to God: God will supply the love you need, even for your enemies, if you will allow Him to love others through you. As God’s love shines through you, you will likely be amazed at how many lost souls are drawn to you and to Him.
3. BECAUSE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT REACHING THEM ARE TERRIBLE
   1. Those who die without Christ will appear before the Great Throne Judgment Seat of Christ
   2. Revelation 20:11-13 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades (hell) gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.
   3. Those who die without Christ will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.
   4. Revelation 20:14 and 15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
   5. Matthew 13:42 (Jesus) They (angels) will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
   6. Matthew 25:41 and 46(a) (Jesus) Then he(Jesus as Judge) will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Then they will go away to eternal punishment,
   7. Proverbs 11:7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes.
   8. Using these and other related passages of Scripture, the following is probably a reasonably accurate description of the eternal torment awaiting anyone who dies without Christ.
   9. A sinner (Romans 3:23) who dies under the penalty of death (Romans 6:23) finds himself before the Great White Throne Judgment Seat of Christ (Revelation 20:11-13). Just one glance at the awesome magnificence of Christ in all of His glory (Daniel 7:9 and 10) causes him to tremble uncontrollably. After just that one glance, he painfully realizes that the most important thing he could have done in his ill-spent lifetime was to have accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and lived his life for Him (John 1:12 and Matthew 16:24-27).
   10. In total awe and overwhelming fear, he falls to his knees and proclaims with a loud, trembling voice, “Jesus is Lord” (Philippians 2:9-11). But, it is too late (Proverbs 11:7). His name is not found written in the Book of Life, and he is cast howling and screaming into a pitch-dark lake of fire (Revelation 20:15 and Matthew 25:30). In absolute horror, he realizes that the burning, tormenting flames are not consuming him (Matthew 25:41 and 46). He cannot see his hand in front of his face (Matthew 25:30), and although his ears are filled with the wailing of great multitudes of people all around him (Matthew 13:42), he knows there is no such thing as friendship here … he is very much alone.
   11. With agonizing frequency and seemingly brain-shattering volume, thoughts of his past life relentlessly bombard his tormented mind. But, no thought brings such paralyzing horror as when he recalls that the person who told him about Jesus, or perhaps the angel that cast him into the fire, warned him that the agony of the lake of fire would last forever … unending … eternal … no hope … no second chance … everlasting … FOREVER!!!! (Matthew 25:46)

GOD SEES THE LOST DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DO?

1. MAN’S VIEWPOINT
   1. tall/short, fat/skinny, black/white, good looking/not good looking
   2. rich/poor, educated/not educated, popular/unpopular, famous/unknown, smart/not
   3. tend to see “successful” people as
   4. Wealthy
   5. Intelligent
   6. Well known
   7. Successful
   8. Popular
   9. Influential
   10. Beautiful
   11. Perfect
2. GOD’S VIEWPOINT
   1. SPIRITUALLY born again and going to Heaven or LOST and going to Hell
   2. REVELATION 3:17 wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked
   3. EPHESIANS 2:17 FAR FROM GOD
   4. Ephesians 2:12 STRANGERS AND HOPELESS
   5. John 5:24 CONDEMNED AND SPIRITUALLY DEAD
   6. LIFE IS SHORT (SNAP)

TOOLS FOR REACHING THE LOST

1. AMAZING LOVE
   1. Proven – Many testimonies
   2. Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation
   3. 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
   4. Professionally produced – dramatic narration – powerful original music score and sound effects
   5. 2 CDs PER MONTH
2. GOSPEL EXPLOSION
   1. MASTERS COMMISSION GROUND ZERO
   2. Always Evangelistic
   3. Always Dynamic
   4. Always Clear Gospel Message
   5. Always Life-changing
   6. Last Sunday of Each Month
   7. 1 ticket or flyer per month
3. NEW AWAKENING TELEPHONE MINISTRY
   1. Clear Gospel Message
   2. Available 24/7
   3. Includes Sinner’s Prayer
   4. Free Amazing Love CD is Offered
   5. 1 card per week
4. ALPHA COURSE
   1. Proven
   2. Non-threatening
   3. Fun
   4. Casual Atmosphere
   5. Thorough
   6. Effective
   7. Fellowship Hall – Sundays 3-5:15 PM – Starting March 30
   8. 1 BROCHURE
5. EFFECTIVE PERSONAL SOUL WINNING CLASS
   1. Proven
   2. Easy to Learn
   3. Easy to Use
   4. Holy Spirit based
   5. Non Threatening
   6. No Memorization
6. EVANGELISM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH RESOURCE CENTER
   1. Booklets, CDs, DVDs for Evangelism and Spiritual Growth
7. PERSONAL CONSULTATION
8. ARRANGE FOR MEETING WITH UNSAVED

CONCLUSION

1. TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS
   1. 250 people distributing 2 Amazing Love CDs every month = 500 people monthly hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ each month
   2. 250 people distributing 1 Gospel Explosion flyer every month = 250 people invited to an evangelistic service each month
   3. 250 people distributing 4 New Awakening telephone ministry cards each month = 1000 people are invited to hear an evangelistic message each month
   4. 250 people distributing 1 Alpha Course brochure = 250 invited to the Alpha Course
2. ALTAR COURSE

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor Bob | Print | No Comments »

February 10, 2008 by PastorDave.

#302, Love Your Neighbor, Pastor David McIntosh, 02-10-2008

Text: Matthew 22:39

INTRODUCTION

1. We said we were going to talk about love throughout the month of February.
2. Last week we focused on the command that Jesus gave us to Love the Lord.
3. This morning we are going to focus our attention on another command Jesus gave us, to love our neighbor.
4. Share the story from “day 274” Home at last!”
5. It is this kind of willingness to look out for the interests of others as if they were our own, that Jesus speaks about here in Matthew 22:37-40 (READ THEM)

MAKE THE CONNECTION

1. The first connection we need to understand is that we can not love God and at the same time hate our neighbor. It is impossible to love God and hate people.
2. People who hold grudges, take offenses, and desire to get even with other people; but at the same time say they have a great relationship with the Lord have been deceived by their own hard hearts.
3. 1 John 4:20, 21- “If anyone says, I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
4. James 2:8 – “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right.”
5. In the following chapter James went on to say, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness…My brothers this should not be.” (James 3:9,10)
6. Remember Jesus said that all the prophets & laws hang on these two commandments. They are connected, Love the Lord and Love your neighbor.
7. We need to make the connection that loving our neighbor is actually loving God.
8. Matthew 25:40 – “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for anyone of these least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

LEARN THE SECRET TO LOVING YOUR NEIGHBORS

1. The story is told of a former Miss America who hated some of her physical features. The problem was they were not features she could change; they were part of God’s design for her life.
2. Self-rejection is often caused by comparing our unchangeable characteristics to those of others.
3. In order to love & accept ourselves correctly we must be able to accept and thank God for our unchangeable features.
4. THEY INCLUDE: parents, birth order, brothers & sisters, nationality, ethnic origin, my time in history, basic physical features, life span, and gender.
5. If we reject or design, we also reject our designer.
6. If we reject the way God designed our lives we will ridicule and reject God’s design of others.
7. Share story of teenagers who reject themselves, divert attention by mocking others appearances or features.
8. WE CAN NOT FULLY LOVE OTHERS WITHOUT FIRST LEARNING TO ACCEPT THE WAY GOD HAS MADE US.
9. We can take a big step toward loving our neighbor by first thanking God for the way He has designed our lives.

LEARN HOW TO LOVE WITH WISDOM

1. A kind compassionate man thought he was showing love to his neighbor when after hearing of all the financial woes his neighbor said if someone would just co-sign a loan for him all his troubles would be over.
2. The kind man decided to co-sign the note in “love” for his neighbor.
3. Years later this man received an urgent call from the bank demanding immediate payment of $ 700,000.00!
4. Instead of alleviating financial pressure, this additional loan enabled the neighbor to mismanage even greater sums of money.
5. Showing love to a neighbor does not mean we always do what is being asked.
6. We always need the wisdom of God’s Word even when loving others.
7. A physical need may actually be the result of a spiritual need.
8. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
9. In order to love our neighbors wisely, we must know the Bible and be skilled at applying its truths to our lives and to the needs of others.

LEARN THE NEW COMMANDMENT OF JESUS!

1. The story is told of Christian parents who were alarmed when their 17 yr. old daughter ran away from home.
2. There didn’t appear to be wrong friends involved & she wasn’t turning her back on God.
3. The 17-yr. old girl said she just couldn’t get along with her parents and claimed that nothing she did ever pleased them.
4. The parents explained that they had always been strict on themselves and strict in their training of their daughter.
5. What happened was through their commitment to “perfectionism” they relayed the message of “conditional love” to their daughter.
6. “We will love you as long as you measure up.”
7. They failed to understand the new commandment Jesus gave in John 13:34, 35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
8. Someone helped me with this verse. I never saw how it was a new command. But Jesus was commanding us to not love others has we love ourselves, but to love others as He has loved us!
9. Jesus loves us unconditionally.
10. He loved us when we hated him.
11. He loves us when we disobey him
12. He continues to love us even when we reject him.

EXAMPLES OF HOW JESUS LOVED “NEIGHBORS!”

1. He left the glory of His home to enter “our world” to help us.
2. He broke down barriers of age, status, and allowed himself to live poor.
3. He honored his parents and served his family as a carpenter.
4. He honored his neighbors by going to special events (weddings, funerals, feasts)
5. He gave what was truly needed to people who came to him (food, healing, counsel)
6. He spent long hours praying for those whom He served
7. He forgave his enemies and those who mocked him.

CLOSING

1. Jesus said to us, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
2. Jesus is sending each one of us on a mission to love our neighbors!
3. What is an obstacle in the way of you doing this?
4. What can you do before the sun set today to take even a “baby step” in loving the people God has placed in your life?
5. Think about the people in your life (spouse, children siblings, parents, family members, friends, co-workers, boss, and neighbors) Jesus has ordained that these are the people He wants to love through you.
6. Lets ask God to fill us with his love, power, grace and desire to love others!

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »

February 3, 2008 by PastorDave.

#301, Love the Lord, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday 02-03-2008

Text: Matthew 22:37

INTRODUCTION

1. This is the first Sunday of the month of February. The “love” month.
2. We are going to take these next four Sunday’s and focus on love.
3. Loving God, loving our neighbor, loving the lost and loving our enemies.
4. This morning we focus our attention on Loving God.

LOVE

• 10. Like the measles, love is most dangerous when it comes late in life.
• 9. The course of true love never did run smooth. Love is a familiar. Love is a devil.
• 8. Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination.
• 7. True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells get your ears checked.
• 6 .Love is a friendship set to music.
• 5. Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.
• 4. If you have love you don’t need to have anything else, and if you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter much what else you have.
• 3. Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.
• 2. At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet.
• 1. Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

TRANSITION

1. Jesus was walking on the beach talking to Peter, and Jesus asks Peter one question: “Simon son of John, do you love?” (Jn. 21:17)
2. Jesus proclaimed to all his followers, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (Jn. 14:15)
3. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment in the Law was He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all our mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
4. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TRULY LOVE GOD AND HOW CAN WE LOVE GOD IN SPITE OF OUR HUMAN FRAILTIES?
5. The answer is found in focusing on the “words” that Jesus spoke. The way to love God is found in the words that His Son spoke.

LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

1. The first thing Jesus told us was to love God with all our heart.
2. The “heart” is the center of life and the seat of all emotions, because of this Jeremiah proclaimed, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
3. Here’s the challenge: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.”
4. Deceitful is trying to cover over those things we know are evil, lustful in God’s sight.
5. Our human hearts try to hide from the “eyes of God” secret delights that we know displease him.
6. Proverbs 15:3 reveals the only one being deceived is us, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
7. TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART IS TO UNCOVER ALL THE SECRET SINS & LUSTS OF OUR HEART BEFORE GOD AND THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR SPIRITUAL WALK.
8. James 5:16 – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”
9. Personal example of magazines in the mail (confess to wife & she gets mail)
10. This is one of the hardest things to do, tell on yourself, expose everything, but God will pour on you grace and power like you’ve never experienced.

LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR SOUL

1. The soul involves the mind, will and emotions.
2. In its nature state, the soul of man will not be subject to the will of God. It will not love God. Because it will not obey His teachings. IT MUST BE CONVERTED!
3. The soul of man in converted by one thing THE WORD OF GOD.
4. Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”
5. Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly…with all wisdom.”
6. 1 John 5:3 – “This is love for God: to obey his commands.”
7. “We confirm our love by our actions, not just our words.”
8. The battleground between God & Satan is our souls, and each wants control.
9. The way we love God with our human souls is by pursing a daily relationship with what the Word of God says.

LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR MIND

1. If our mind is part of our soul why did Jesus specifically instructed us to love God with our mind?
2. Because removing God from our thoughts is like turning out the lights and letting darkness rule.
3. The danger of not being intentional with our thought life is that we will more easily give in to carnal thoughts and habits which keep us chained in old sins.
4. Romans 8:6 – “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God.
5. But how can I think about God all day long and get my other work done?
6. You can grow in relating every facet of life to the Lord and His Word, takes practice.
7. Example: Study of butterflies, chipmunks, snowsuit from unsaved family member.
8. Isaiah 26:3 – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”

JESUS OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE OF ACTIVE LOVE

1. The greatest example we have of loving God is Jesus when he walked this earth.
2. He got up early in the morning to spend time with God (Mark 1:35)
3. He knew the Word of God (Luke 24:32)
4. He used Scripture to defeat all of Satan’s temptations (Matt. 4:3-11)
5. He worshiped God by singing (Matt. 26:30)
6. He taught others about the Kingdom of God wherever he went (Luke 4:43-44)

PASS THE TESTS

1. God so loved the world that He…. desired to send His Son….that He said He would send His Son… no…He gave His only begotten Son.
2. Jesus loved us for saying he would lay down his life, no… He gave His life (Cross)
3. Love that is not tested is only a commitment to love.
4. The disciples claimed that they loved the Lord, but when their love was tested, they all forsook him and fled.
5. Through testing our love is perfected!
6. Romans 5:3-5 – “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
7. Love is like steel. It is made stronger as it goes through fire and water.

CLOSING SCRIPTURE

1 Corinthians 2:9, 10 – “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.”

Posted in Podcast, Sermons, Pastor David | Print | No Comments »