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Crossroads Community Church Notes: Love

January 22, 2016   ·   0 Comments

Pastor Don opened our service thanking God for sending His only Son, Jesus Christ to dwell with us on earth as the ultimate example of His love.

Pastor Don continued praying for us to follow God’s example by loving and forgiving one another; everyone not just those who we deem deserving.

These days, the word “love” is used loosely; a description of a feeling about an object rather than demonstrating an action.

John 3:161 God’s love is not static or self-centred, it reaches out and draws others in.  God establishes the pattern of true love through the willingness of self-sacrifice. Jesus accepted the punishment for our sins out of love for us. We must be willing to give up our own comforts so others might join us in receiving God’s love.

Jesus came to Earth as God’s word made flesh, forcing us to re-examine the meaning of true love.

1 John 4:7-82 John says, “God is love” not “love is God”. Today’s society has contaminated our understanding of love. Our shallow and selfish views allow us to sacrifice moral principles.

Love is just feeling good, unlike God’s love which is holy, just and perfect. 1 John 4:9-113

Colossians 1:154 states Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. Christ came from Heaven as the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit and is equal to God because He is God. Mary’s virgin birth was made possible because she was infused with the Holy Spirit of God making her son Holy. Luke 1:34-355.

God’s gift to us can be measured by its usefulness.

In contrast to the evil one, the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life; life that is abundantly rich and full. John 10:106 Due to God’s overflowing forgiveness, love and guidance we as believers are held to a higher standard. We are all uniquely made from His love; given special gifts to bring glory to God.  Our purpose is to live a life that magnifies God, to encourage, and support fellow Christians; to become more like Christ in all we say and do.

Develop a personal relationship with Jesus. The Lord speaks to us in Matthew 25:217 wherein God praises His faithful servants. Our purpose is to glorify our Lord because of His love which is measured by its cost. God desires the best of what we have to give. Leviticus 9:28 explains our offerings are to be without defects when presented to the Lord. The very best of ourselves.

Scripture tells us that God gave us the most absolutely perfect and most precious gift He could give us; He gave us His son. So He wants the best of what we have to give.

God deserves our obedience, our attention our total surrender to Him. The cost of giving us a rich, satisfying life was the gift of His son. God did this to change our behaviour; He is asking us to love one another as He loves us.

As Christians we may struggle at times to keep our composure as we carry our crosses, our burdens.  However, the Bible teaches us, God wants us to be people who exercise love in all relationships as we see with Paul’s words in Ephesians. Ephesians 4:29 We will never be perfect but we must strive to love everyone despite their faults. Rather than dwelling on the weaknesses of others focus on the positives within them and pray for their salvation.

Apostle Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 13, “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:110 In other words, Paul is saying even if he could speak eloquently in all languages, but didn’t have love, then his life would be as useless.

Love is more important than any spiritual gift you have been given and it is a gift everyone has received. 1 Corinthians 13:211

Think about the story about the Good Samaritan, a man was beaten and left for dead at the side of the road. Both a priest and a temple assistant came along but chose to bypass the injured man.  Both of these men would have had extensive knowledge of and faith in God but both passed by on the other side of the road.  The third man, a Samaritan, one perceived as not being religious, stopped and assisted the injured man. He showed compassion and love for a total stranger. The Good Samaritan exhibited love for his fellow man. Galatians 5:1412.

To help us practice love, we are given a new commandment, we are to love one another just and God has loved us. John 13:34-3514

That’s why Jesus, the Messiah came to earth 2,000 years ago in that Bethlehem manger, to change us into loving, compassionate people who care for the needs of those around us. God wants us to love the world and He desires to do it through you and me!  Are you willing to let God show His love through you?

May the Holy Spirit richly anoint these words.

AMEN

         

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