Maturity in Christ
God’s Love is the most powerful force in all the universe.
* “Flood waters can’t drown love, torrents of rain can’t put it out. Love can’t be bought, love can’t be sold-it’s not to be found in the marketplace.”
Song of Solomon 8:7
*There is no escaping true love. For if you know love, it can never be extinguished.
*God is Love. So by Loving others we are showing them God.
God’s Love is a freeing love. It allows us to release the other person from our own demands and expectations.
* “…freely you have received, freely give.”Matthew 10:8
Maturity in Christ is not knowing a bunch of Scriptures or going to church regularly. It’s simply knowing how, moment by moment, to continually abide in God’s Love.
* “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples-when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:35
* We show love in the things we do and in the way we treat each other. If we in the church don’t show the love of GOD to ourselves then what example do we show the worldly people?
*I want my love for Christ to be reflected in the way I love others, especially people who are difficult to love.
*So many people see love as ‘just a feeling,’ but it’s so much more than that. True love shows itself in Action.
*Love is something that can be seen.
The moment we invite Him to take control of our lives, God comes into our hearts. And God Himself is Love.
* “God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”1 John 4:16
1 John 4: 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
The 4 Loves:
The natural human loves inspired by friendship (phileo), family (storge), or romance (eros), are awesome blessings from our Creator, but Agape is the only love essential to human survival. Only God’s Divine Love can give us the identity and purpose we need to live life to the fullest.
* “If I have not [God’s] Love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
The whole Bible is summed up by the word “love”.
*” The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love-love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.” (1 Timothy 1:5)
*Love from a pure heart has no expectations or ulterior motives. It is not living for yourself.
The meaning of life lies in relationship. First and foremost is our relationship with God, and then our relationship with each other.
* “We love, because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. – Proverbs 27:2
*In our business and personal life, our positioning among those who will know us should be a by-product of our life and service, not an end itself.
*What is your “position” today among your peers?
Do not be afraid! The Lord is at work in your life to bring you to your appointed destiny in maturity. Even when you get off track, you can trust the Lord to bring you back. Set your Heart to pursue Him, and set your Will to never on purpose go back to the world. You did not choose the Lord; He chose you to establish His kingdom(God’s way of doing things) where you are on the earth. Establish His kingdom in your heart, in your relationships, where you live, where you work and where you worship. That is the Lord’s will and purpose for you and me.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you -.
*Your Testimony!!!
*When we connect who we are with what we do then we are true witnesses.
* I need to always remember whatever I do and wherever I go– I represent God. *My life ought to reflect Him so that others will see Jesus for who he is (not a misrepresentation by showing them my sinful nature) and so they will come to know Jesus personally.
Father, continue to teach me and remind me this very truth. So often I allow my sinful nature to control me and to show up to others. I do not want to misrepresent you–help me mature in You. My desire is that all would see You for who You are Jesus and fall in love with You. Amen