Eastwood Baptist Church
ONE Service
- Holy Is The Lord
- One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)
- IntroductionWhen we were moving towards adoption, very sweet and concerned people would say this: “Your life is about to change!”So true! That new relationship changed my life forever! And it was expected…but there was no way to anticipate all the ways it would change.Relationships impact your life.Couples in pre-marital counseling. The ones who are wise and realize things will change and then those who think they already know everything about relationships and about each other. Not realizing that, regardless of your previous relationship, marriage changes the dynamics of the relationship and, therefore, changes your life.Relationships impact your life.There are people who have grown up in the church, maybe even have been very religious. Maybe they have studied their Bible and have rarely missed worship services, but all this without having received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. But, then it happens! And they then discover the depth of that relationship and what a difference it actually makes!Relationships impact your life. And none carry as heavy of an impact as your relationship with God.John lays out two of the biggest impacts that salvation has on your life and why we are in need of that saving relationship.Godly Wisdomvv. 1-6What is wisdom? “The application of knowledge to make beneficial decisions.the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.”Applied knowledge and instruction to live in a right manner.The Bible tells us that wisdom has a source:
Proverbs 1:7 ESV The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.Not all that is viewed as wise is actual wisdom! Those decisions we make and realize later that it was not a good idea.That’s what John is warning us in v. 1. Do not believe every spirit! Don’t be naive!Test the spirits (spiritual beings or spiritual thinking). Use some critical thinking.In this particular context, he is writing about the gnostics and the antichrists (those who deny basic truths about Jesus).How do we test the spirits? What does it say about Jesus? Gnostics denied the incarnation.Today, people will deny the divinity of Jesus, the moral perfection of Jesus, the eternal nature of Jesus.Even some very popular writers and speakers that fall under the label of Christian!In order to determine what is not true, we have to determine what is truth. Source? Scripture!Scripture is the source of Truth.The Holy Spirit will guide us in our understanding of the Bible. But, we have to cultivate that relationship to hear Him.Cattle breaking down a fence. They knew the sound of their feed truck!Scripture helps us to know the voice of God.John 10:27 ESV My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.This is why it is so important to consistently be in Scripture. Read, Meditate, Study.Godly Lovevv. 7-21vv. 1-12This next section, marked by the “beloved,” begins with a 1st class conditional statement. “Let us…because...”The chain begins with God’s action of love towards us - He sent His Son.God’s love for humanity is extravagant.The process of seeking to find a Christmas gift. Frustration and fulfilling. Especially for those you love the most.We want to honor them with something perfect, something extravagant.God’s love for us goes beyond even that level. He sent His Son for us.This leads to the next step in the chain of actions of us then loving others. The overflow of love!1 John 4:12 ESV No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.You represent God to others.Your love for others reveals God’s nature to them.vv. 13-21This love gives us confidence for eternity for when we’ve received God’s forgiveness it leads us to this love.It drives out all fear (v. 18)!Love has a substantial impact on our lives.Substantial = it has substance. It can be felt. The difference between holding a balloon with air or sand in it.It drives out fear because it reminds us of our acceptance by God.Early years of fear of death. Tornadoes stressed me out. Gospel changed fear to consequence!Now, if a tornado is coming, I’m going to be wise and find a basement!! But, wisdom is not fear!God’s love converts fear to love. This love that comes from Him to us; From us to God and others.If you ever drive through rural western Oklahoma, irrigation. Ogallala Aquifer. Southern South Dakota to central western Texas. Provides 82% of drinking water within that region. Enough water to cover the entire state in 1 feet of water. Not just irrigation and drinking water for people, but also windmills draw from the aquifer providing water for cattle in stock tanks. Because it is typically windy, the water is frequently replenished. But, there are sometimes windless days. For this reason, we would chain some stock tanks together. Connecting a pipe that would draw water from the initial tank into a second tank. This way the abundance would overflow into another tank.This is the chain of love within the life of a Christian.Abundance OverflowsAbundance ProvidesAbundance ComfortsLove God and Love your brother.Last week we talked about borders. Who must I love? Who is my brother? Who is my neighbor?Found in Luke 10:25-37. Whoever you come across who is in need, they are your neighbor.We are not called just to love those in the Christian faith, but whoever we can.ConclusionWhat would you be doing today if your childhood dream came true?What do you want for your life today? Just to exist?Whatever you desire, you need godly wisdom and godly love.A fulfilled life begins with Jesus.It then continues with Jesus.And it ends with Jesus.Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. Proverbs 1:7ESV
John 10:27ESV
1 John 4:12ESV
- Softly And Tenderly
- Glory To His Name
