Love is Why - We Go, Give, Serve and Stay - April 26, 2020

On the final Sunday of April 2020, we are excited to be able to “Gather” online. You will not want to miss the opening countdown to see some familiar faces. We sing two songs “Greater Things” and “Miracles” - thanks to all who make our Sunday Worship possible (CCLI Streaming License #: CSPL043706). Pastor A.J. Dummitt preaches the final message of the “Love is WHY” series - Love is Why WE Go, Give, Serve and Stay. We are so thrilled that you are joining us today.

 

LOVE is WHY – We Give, Go, Serve & Stay
“LOVE IS WHY” SERIES

2 Corinthians 5:13-15 (NIV)
13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

LOVE IS WHY WE GO

We are COMMANDED to GO by HIS WORD, and We are COMPELLED to GO by HIS LOVE!

THAT IS WHY WE GO – BECAUSE OF THE GREAT LOVE OF JESUS for this WHOLE WORLD!!

Mark 16:15 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

God’s ultimate goal is to assemble a vast and diverse family that represents “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9-10).  Who wouldn’t love a front row seat to God’s heart in action?

Exposure breeds a burden.

 

LOVE IS WHY WE GIVE

LOVE, is the why – because we LOVE God and we LOVE people.

1 John 3:17-18 (NIV)
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

The decision to give is not primarily financial in nature. It’s rooted in 1) the nature of God and 2) our relationship with Him.

John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave …”
The message of John 3:16 is that love gives.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

We don’t just give of our FINANCES or our TREASURE…but we also give of our TIME and our TALENT to God. Don’t be stingy in any area…imitate God and give willingly your very best out of love!

 

LOVE IS WHY WE SERVE

In John 13:15, Jesus sets an example for us to follow. “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you,” Jesus says.

Jesus, God manifest in the flesh, never placed Himself in a position above others. He led by serving, and He loved by serving.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. – Philippians 2:3-5

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. – Galatians 5:13

 

The ONLY thing that will keep you grounded during times of offense, hurt, or
uncertainty is the LOVE of God for YOU, and your love for GOD!

LOVE IS WHY WE STAY

Nothing can separate us from His love…but we sometimes allow things to drive a wedge in our relationship with Him and with others.

The Bible says that JESUS endured the CROSS (despising the SHAME) – for the JOY that was set before Him. He STAYED when it would have been much easier to GO! Jesus proved His LOVE by staying.

When asked about what it would be like before His return, Jesus made this stunning statement to His
disciples:

“And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other….Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:1–12 NLT)

Paul said…2 Timothy 4:10 (KJV)

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,…

Sometimes we are offended, sometimes we love the things of the world, more than the things of God.

Start right here today!

If God has convicted you of things during this message today that you know displease Him – you need to take time to acknowledge those things to Him, right now!

Ask God to forgive you for those things, and make up your mind that you will move away from them going forward. (Repentance is a change of Heart and Mind).

You then need to be BAPTIZED in the Name of Jesus Christ to wash away all your sins and the stains of your past. Through repentance and baptism you are able to move towards your new life in Jesus Christ. Jesus
promises to fill you with His Spirit – the gift of the Holy Ghost and that is how the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts (the scripture tells us that it is by the Holy Ghost).

If you are having trouble with any of these things today…GOING, GIVING, SERVING, or STAYING…you need to come back to the LOVE OF JESUS!