DAD'S DAILY BREAD

Sermon notes Pastor Graydon Cress

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Col 3:14

As God has loved us, so we are to love others. Don’t confuse love with lust or attraction or feelings. Worldly love= self focused feelings. Biblical love= active self giving commitment to seek the good of another. It requires sacrifice and is about commitment and not circumstances. Sometimes love can be allowing someone to go through something difficult. As God has loved us… He is a perfect example. Look to God and see how He treats His people. God decided to love me because of Himself. Not because of anything I did. He chose to love me out of His abundance. He lavishly loves us even though we do not deserve it! God is committed to love me even when I make mistakes. Despite how I act. God still lovingly confronts our sin. When loving someone that is in sin you must love confrontation. When confronting sin you must first check your own motives. Eph 4:14 Is it for your good or the good of the person? God wants us to be just like Jesus and be free of sin. God’s love is not just a feeling, it is actively demonstrated. Every page of the Bible God is showing active love. 1 John 4:9,11,19 God shows us how to love others. God loved us first so we could spread that love to others.

So we are to love others… We decide to love others because of God’s love, not because they deserve it. Decisive love and not because anyone deserves it and it doesn’t matter how you feel. Choose to show God’s love. We get to love others because God loved us first. We commit to love others even when it is difficult. Just like God does with us. Be committed and unconditional for their good. Our love is not just a feeling, it is actively demonstrated. Active love from God the same way He loves us. Love is sacrificial and it is impossible to do apart from God. Love is the primary evidence that we belong to God.

Love binds the Christian life together. Love is the belt that holds all the other godly characteristics together. Do people close to you feel God’s love? You cannot muster up God’s love apart from the vine. Get into the community of God’s love.

APPLICATION:

Stay connected to the vine. Read God’s word everyday! Think about my words before they come out of my mouth. Love others the same way God loves me. Pray for God’s help to be more like Jesus. Pray more often! Don’t forget God’s truths and promises. Live for Him and put my flesh to death!

IN HIS NAME