Kerry talked about Love with a little different perspective
You know, we talk about love so much in church that he worries the word
can start to feel like wallpaper. . We understand the What.
can start to feel like wallpaper. . We understand the What.
We need to view Love not as wallpaper, but as the generator, the
power source, the engine. C.S. Lewis said if we put first things first, we get
everything else thrown in. So what if love is not just a nice thing we do,
but the first thing? The most powerful motivating force in the universe?
power source, the engine. C.S. Lewis said if we put first things first, we get
everything else thrown in. So what if love is not just a nice thing we do,
but the first thing? The most powerful motivating force in the universe?
Key verse: 1 John 4:19 “We love each other because he first
loved us.”
loved us.”
Big Idea: God’s initiation is our motivation.
Through these versus Kerry pointed out some key points
A few points about this love from God
1. It is God’s Initiative
2. It authenticates our love for God
3. It initiates our love for others
4. It banishes fear
5. It builds confidence
We know we are called to love God and love people.
We know WHAT we ought to do. We may even know HOW we ought to do
it. But we have forgotten to start with WHY.
it. But we have forgotten to start with WHY.
Kerry shared a Video:
A gentleman in an audience was asked to sing Amazing Grace which he did beautifully. Then he was asked to sing it again with a reason Why he was being asked. He belted out a totally different rendition which was from the heart and received a standing ovationThat shift from what to why changes everything.It’s the difference between a hired hand and a loving parent.
Babysitter – follows the instructions: They do the what.
A parent does all the same things, but the why is different.
The why is a deep, fierce, unconditional love.
That why, transforms the what from a task into a privilege.
It adds color, passion, and beauty.
When we lose our why, we absolutely lose our way.
We become the baby sitter, just going through the religious motions.
The great commandment and great commission CONNECT (WHY)
A gentleman in an audience was asked to sing Amazing Grace which he did beautifully. Then he was asked to sing it again with a reason Why he was being asked. He belted out a totally different rendition which was from the heart and received a standing ovationThat shift from what to why changes everything.It’s the difference between a hired hand and a loving parent.
Babysitter – follows the instructions: They do the what.
A parent does all the same things, but the why is different.
The why is a deep, fierce, unconditional love.
That why, transforms the what from a task into a privilege.
It adds color, passion, and beauty.
When we lose our why, we absolutely lose our way.
We become the baby sitter, just going through the religious motions.
The great commandment and great commission CONNECT (WHY)
Lose your WHY you lose your WAY
We will remember to put first things first.
It is God’s Initiative
– We love each other because he has first loved us.
– We love God only because he first loved us.
God’s initiation is our motivation.
We will remember to put first things first.
It is God’s Initiative
– We love each other because he has first loved us.
– We love God only because he first loved us.
God’s initiation is our motivation.
Another illustration Kerry used was comparing the Sun and Moon
Our love is a reflection. It’s reactive. He thinks of it like the
moon. The moon has no light of its own. On its own, it’s just a cold, dark
rock. But when it turns its face to the sun, it reflects the sun’s light so brilliantly
that it can light up the darkest night. We are the moon. God’s love is the
sun. Any love we have, any light we shine into the darkness of this world, is only
and always a reflection of the love that He first shone on us. We are reflectors.
rock. But when it turns its face to the sun, it reflects the sun’s light so brilliantly
that it can light up the darkest night. We are the moon. God’s love is the
sun. Any love we have, any light we shine into the darkness of this world, is only
and always a reflection of the love that He first shone on us. We are reflectors.
Romans 5:6-8
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and
died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an
upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a8 But God showed his great love for us by
sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and
died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an
upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a8 But God showed his great love for us by
sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Kerry shared a typical testimony:
I came to my senses and asked Jesus into my heart.
I was in fear of where I would spend eternity and I knew out of the 2
options, heaven seemed like a much better choice.
I changed my lifestyle, joined the church, and I chose a whole new group of
friends.
This testimony focused on I, Me, My
I came to my senses and asked Jesus into my heart.
I was in fear of where I would spend eternity and I knew out of the 2
options, heaven seemed like a much better choice.
I changed my lifestyle, joined the church, and I chose a whole new group of
friends.
This testimony focused on I, Me, My
There is love and good in you because the story begins with God first loved
you. (He is the initiator; He first loved us; That is so motivating)!
God’s initiation is our motivation.
you. (He is the initiator; He first loved us; That is so motivating)!
God’s initiation is our motivation.
NOTE: I am NOT saying: You are not just deprived, you are totally
depraved and a wretch and a worm. He noted the song Amazing Grace line that says “saved a wretch )or worm) like me”
– Yes, scripture says there is no one good, not one
– No, you cannot earn your way to heaven
depraved and a wretch and a worm. He noted the song Amazing Grace line that says “saved a wretch )or worm) like me”
– Yes, scripture says there is no one good, not one
– No, you cannot earn your way to heaven
Then Kerry emphasised:
– But…balanced with we are made in His image
– A Nun expressed that Jesus didn’t die for a worm.
– Every human being is an image bearer (made in His image).
– But…balanced with we are made in His image
– A Nun expressed that Jesus didn’t die for a worm.
– Every human being is an image bearer (made in His image).
As an example Kerry admitted this was a sensitive point but questioned
– When we were dancing when Osama Bin Laden was killed (Jesus wasn’t)
– When we were dancing when Osama Bin Laden was killed (Jesus wasn’t)
Some considerations:
o Well, I work for the government and I can tell you…
o Remember the Apostle Paul: He was a terrorist murdering Christians. Something to think aboutHow do we view others?:
If they are “Bad” do we want to – eliminate them or do we consider them Lost (as Jesus viewed them) and work to find them
Remember in 1972 (Vietnam) O’Jays: People all over the world joined hands. Join the love train, love train. It was God’s initiative.
o Well, I work for the government and I can tell you…
o Remember the Apostle Paul: He was a terrorist murdering Christians. Something to think aboutHow do we view others?:
If they are “Bad” do we want to – eliminate them or do we consider them Lost (as Jesus viewed them) and work to find them
Remember in 1972 (Vietnam) O’Jays: People all over the world joined hands. Join the love train, love train. It was God’s initiative.
Where would you be without God’s love?
Remember what it was like to have your head hit the pillow at night without
the knowledge that God loves you and accepts you?Going through the day?
Your WHY
– Humility
Eph 2:8-9 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t
take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the
good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Gratitude:
Grace – undeserved
Love – says more about God than you/me
“We love each other because he first loved us.”
the knowledge that God loves you and accepts you?Going through the day?
Your WHY
– Humility
Eph 2:8-9 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t
take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the
good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Gratitude:
Grace – undeserved
Love – says more about God than you/me
“We love each other because he first loved us.”
God’s initiation is our motivation.
Therefore:
WHAT – Love God and love people
WHY
– He loves us (Jn 3:16)
– He saves us.
– Not because of us.
– Perhaps in spite of us.
Rom 5:10 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death
of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved
through the life of his Son.
– Enemies to Friends
– Saved
Loving God and our neighbor is easy when motivated by this truth
Love is the most powerful motivational force in the universe!
God’s initiation is our motivation.
“We love each other because he first loved us.”
Therefore:
WHAT – Love God and love people
WHY
– He loves us (Jn 3:16)
– He saves us.
– Not because of us.
– Perhaps in spite of us.
Rom 5:10 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death
of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved
through the life of his Son.
– Enemies to Friends
– Saved
Loving God and our neighbor is easy when motivated by this truth
Love is the most powerful motivational force in the universe!
God’s initiation is our motivation.
“We love each other because he first loved us.”
Kerry charged us with : Now go – and give to others the love that has been given to you.
See every person you encounter as someone needing love – because
they do.So here’s our challenge. This week, I want you to do two things.
First, be a moon. Before you try to generate love for that difficult neighbor,
that frustrating family member, that stranger, first turn your face to the
Son. Remember, He first loved me. He initiated with me when I was his
enemy. I am loved. Soak in that. Let that be your fuel.
See every person you encounter as someone needing love – because
they do.So here’s our challenge. This week, I want you to do two things.
First, be a moon. Before you try to generate love for that difficult neighbor,
that frustrating family member, that stranger, first turn your face to the
Son. Remember, He first loved me. He initiated with me when I was his
enemy. I am loved. Soak in that. Let that be your fuel.
Second, see everyone as a hidden moon. That person who cut you off in
traffic? They might be a dark rock right now, desperate for a glimpse of
the sun. Your grumpy cashier? A dark rock. The person on social media
you love to argue with? A dark rock. They don’t need your truth hammer
first. They need to see the reflection of the Son’s love in you. Maybe that
reflection is patience. Maybe it’s a kind word. Maybe it’s just not firing
back.Pray for one person to demonstrate love to – then do it – in the next 48 hours.
You are carrying the most powerful force in the universe inside you—the
reflected love of God. Now go, and light up your corner of the night.
As each of us does this, we will be Fawn Lake Church – a lighthouse – a
beacon of hope for everyone in the community.
traffic? They might be a dark rock right now, desperate for a glimpse of
the sun. Your grumpy cashier? A dark rock. The person on social media
you love to argue with? A dark rock. They don’t need your truth hammer
first. They need to see the reflection of the Son’s love in you. Maybe that
reflection is patience. Maybe it’s a kind word. Maybe it’s just not firing
back.Pray for one person to demonstrate love to – then do it – in the next 48 hours.
You are carrying the most powerful force in the universe inside you—the
reflected love of God. Now go, and light up your corner of the night.
As each of us does this, we will be Fawn Lake Church – a lighthouse – a
beacon of hope for everyone in the community.