Love God

January 7th 2024

Series: The Essentials

Sermon Title: Love God

Topic: Launching into the new year right. Focused on our mission.

Key Passages: Various

Sermon Blurb: In today’s message we will learn how to show God how we love him based on our devotion to the Bible, prayer and fasting.

Green in sermons means illustration, something we are looking for a response from, or a picture that goes on the screens.

Yellow means what is yellow will be on the screens and in the handout.

Sermon:

Hello Family Church!

Family Moment –

We like to try and start our messages with something personal from our family life recently to help people get to know us.

Celebrate salvation's / re-dedications / baptisms last week.

I hope you all had a VERY Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!!!

We are so happy you are all in church today!

And here is the GREAT news for all of you!

You have PERFECT church attendance in 2024!

Let’s keep that rolling this entire year!!!!

If you have to miss an in-person service you can still catch it online!

Make a commitment to not miss a service this year and see what God does in your life.

PAUSE

Let me explain the trajectory for this month…..

Every year here at Family Church, since we started we take the first month of the year to LASER focus in on the things….

The activities….

The habits…..

The Biblical fundamentals….

That we believe are most VITAL to our Christian faith.

And this year is no exception.

PAUSE

This year we will be calling this series “The Essentials.”

This whole month we will be talking about the things that we think all of us need to do if we are to become healthy, mature, growing disciples of Jesus.

What will be unique this year is we will be packaging them within the framework of our church’s mission statement.

Now, who knows the mission statement here at Family Church?

If you know it you want to shout it out????

It’s the first point in your notes, so go ahead and write it down...

Family Church Mission: Love God, Love people,and Make disciples.

Repeat

Each week we will be talking about each of those commands, and how we can grow in each one of them.

But, to give a little backstory, our mission statement didn’t originate with us...even Pastor Adam isn’t that creative!!!!

It originated with Jesus.

Let me show you….

Matthew chapter 22 verse 37 Jesus said this…

Matthew 22:37-40 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Right there in your Bible is where we get our “Love God” and “Love people.”

Then in Matthew 28 Jesus said,

Matthew 28:19-20 19“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you, to the very end of the age.”

This is where we get our “Make Disciples.”

Love God, Love people, and Make Disciples.

These are the 3 primary commands given to us by Jesus Himself. These are His Essentials, and so they are ours also.

But that question is….

How do we do that?

How do we grow in our love for God? How do we love other people the way God wants us to?

How do we make disciples of Jesus who can make more disciples of Jesus?

The GOOD news is that we are going to tackle those questions this month!

PAUSE

Today we are going to look at the first, and most important, of all the commands….

The command to Love God...

Because everything else flows from here...

Until we learn how to truly Love God…we will never be able to love others how God calls us to OR make disciples of a God we don’t truly love..

PAUSE

Look at this picture on the screens (LGLPMD graphic)

It all starts with God….

And here are just some of the ways you can show you do LOVE God….

Then as you can see the arrow points from Love God to Love People….

Because the NATURAL outflow of loving God is you will learn to Love People like God does!

And here are just some of the ways you can show you do LOVE God….

Then as you can see the arrow points from Love People to Make Disciples….….

Because the NATURAL outflow of Loving People is you will want to help people become disciples of Jesus!

And here are just some of the ways you begin that journey or disciple-making….

PAUSE

And let me draw your attention to the extra paper you got as you came in today!

You should have been handed a paper that we are calling our growth path (pic on screens)…

The Pastors and I have been working on this for some time…

The way we are hoping to help you ALL grow to become disciple-makers!

I want to encourage you ALL to read through that later today and think about what your next step is on that path here at Family Church!

I would encourage you ALL to consider signing up for our Foundations of Faith class. (Slide of info on when)

It is starting next month, and you can find all the information about that in your bulletin and on our website.

Sign up online or fill out a connection card and let us know you want to come!

PAUSE

Church…..

The reality is, as we grow in our Love for God, we will also grow more in our love for others AND in our ability and desire to Make Disciples.

So, today we will talk about what it means to Love God, and how each one of us can grow in doing that in our personal lives.

Are you ready to get started?

PAUSE

Let’s being by defining what “Love” means…

NOT according to culture…

NOT according to social media…

But what love means as defined by God in the Bible.

Btw, I heard a funny way for husbands to tell whether their dog, wife, or kids love them more.

Put them in the trunk of your car, and drive around for an hour...open the trunk and see who’s happier to see you?

No, don’t do that!

That was a joke to make sure you are all listening!!!

PAUSE

But for real….

What does God mean when He commands us to Love Him?

What does that Love look like?

Well, it’s important to note that the word God used for love in Matthew 22…

The word God used was the word “Agapao” (AHH-gap-oh) in the Greek language.

You will see in your notes

“Agapáō is defined as to have a preference for, to take pleasure in, to prize above all other things, to be unwilling to do without, and to long for.”

This word “Agapao” is only used of God and only comes from God.

It is used of God’s Love for mankind and our human reciprocal love for God.

As such, it is the highest form of Love.

John used this word in

John 3:16 “For God so loved (Agapa’d) the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

So, based on the definition of God’s love for the world (which includes YOU)…

We could say that God has preference for you, takes pleasure in you, prizes you above all other things, is unwilling to do without you and longs for you!

Isn’t that incredible?!?

PAUSE

And we know that God didn’t just SAY that He loved us, but He SHOWED His love for us in sending Jesus to die on the Cross for our sins so that we could be reconciled to Him and have eternal life!

Talk about encouraging!

But it’s this Love that we are also called to reciprocate back to God!

The way in which we are to Love God looks very different than the way we are to love pizza, shopping, or yes, even college football!!!

We are to prefer God, take pleasure in God, prize Him above all other things, be unwilling to do without God, and long for Him!

Now, based the Bibles definition of love, do you love God?

That’s a bit of a stinging question, isn’t it?

But this is what God has commanded us to do first and foremost.

PAUSE

Ok, now that we’ve ALL failed the Love Test...

Let’s talk about how we can grow in our Love for God.

First, if you’re taking notes...

We grow in our love for God by listening and reading His Word / Bible.

(Repeat)

Just like any loving relationship, there’s got to be good communication.

And that starts with being a good listener.

Those we love, we listen to.

So, if we are going to grow in our love for God, we’ve got to listen to His Word.

Now, if you’re not aware, the Bible is the Word of God.

God spoke and the book we are reading IS the revelation of His Words.

Which again….we learn from the Bible!

2 Timothy 3:16, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

And, because the Bible is God’s Word, it’s also the source of absolute TRUTH.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true, He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

John 17: 3 Jesus said, “Father, sanctify them in the truth, your Word is truth.”

In a world of lies, falsities, deception, and doubt...

In a world where EVERYTHING is being redefined and reinterpreted almost daily...

We must be a people who hold fast to the Word of God because it is the ONE and ONLY source of unchanging Truth.

PAUSE

But that’s not all... God’s Word is also powerful...when we read it, it changes us...

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

If we want to grow in our knowledge and understanding of who our great God is...

We must be a people who prioritize and hold fast to His Word...

THE BIBLE.

But it’s not just enough to read and hear God’s Words...

That’s clearly important, but that’s not the way we will fully Love Him.

We also must do what His Word says.

Write this down,

We grow in our love for God by obeying His Word.

(repeat)

John 14:15, “If you love Me, obey my commands.”

It’s like someone once said...

“Don’t just tell me you love me, show me!”

Married people ever say that to your spouse?

Parents ever say that to your kids?

That’s what God is saying here.

If we want to grow in our Love for God, we’ve got to not only listen to His Word, but we’ve also got to do what it says.

That's why we end every sermon, every weekend with a Life Application and an “I will....” statement.

If you have ever wondered why we do that….

It is because we are trying to help all of us become “doers of the Word, not just hearers” as James commands us.

It’s a choice.

We must choose to be intentional to love God through obedience to His Word.

PAUSE

Maybe you’re here today and you’d say, “I feel like I’m not growing in my spiritual life! I feel like God is distant and my Christian experience is cold and dry.”

If that’s you, listen to these words from Jesus in

John 14:21, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Did you hear that?

Jesus is saying clearly that love for Him looks like obedience to His commands.

And, that whoever obeys His commands will be loved by the Father and Jesus... AND that Jesus will reveal Himself to them.

That’s huge!

So, it could be that some of us come to church and even read the Bible, but have a stagnant, stale version of Christianity simply because we don’t make a point of applying God’s Word to our lives!!!!

This is Jesus telling us how we can experience deeper connection and intimacy with Him... by hearing AND DOING His Word!

And there is something else we can do as well….

Write this down,

We grow in our love for God by talking to Him regularly.

(repeat)

It’s no secret that it’s impossible to grow in our love for anyone without regular, honest, open conversation, right?

Think about those you are closest to.

Your spouse,

Your kids,

Your best friends...

Isn’t regular, open, honest conversation HOW your relationship grew?

Now think about those who you used to be close to but maybe aren’t today.... how did you grow apart?

I would guess…..

Something happened and you stopped talking...and drifted apart..

The same is true of our relationship with God.

Psalm 105:4 says, “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.”

Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”

Jeremiah 33: 3, “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Here God is inviting His people to call out to Him, seek after Him, and to pursue His presence.

He desires relationship with His people!

PAUSE

And you might ask….what does that look like?

And the good news is Jesus gave us some help and guidance concerning what our prayer time should look like!!!

One day, Jesus’ disciples came to Him and asked Him specifically to teach them how to pray...and this is what He told them:

Matthew 6:9 “This then is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

In this model of prayer, Jesus gives us a template, a structure or a pattern for prayer.

1st…..when we pray,

1. Prayer starts by focusing our hearts and minds on who it is that we are talking to.

Repeat

Look at that verse we just read….

Just starts with “Our Father.”

When we pray, Jesus wants us to stop and think about who we are talking to... in two primary ways...

PAUSE

2nd….Look in your Bibles….

Jesus said, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.”

Which means….write this down…

2. Our prayer time should focus on asking God’s plans to be our #1 priority.

Repeat

This is important because often times when we pray we come rushing to God with our “spiritual checklists.”

We quickly ask for our own needs and then rush back out into our busy world.

Jesus guides us to slow down and consider what God wants to do on the Earth before bringing our personal requests.

Think about your prayer life.

Have you ever asked God to show you His will for the world around you before you ask for anything from God?

PAUSE

3rd…..Look in your Bibles….

Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread….”

Which means….write this down…

3. After we seek God’s will in our lives, we seek God’s help in our lives.

Repeat

Jesus instructed us to bring OUR needs to God.

And daily bread does not ONLY mean food…

It is about any needs we have…

Maybe you’re not financially poor at the moment, but you are relationally poor... you lack close, loving community. Jesus is saying, “Ask God to meet that need!” He wants you to be rich in community and He will provide if you ask.

Or maybe you recognize that you are poor in spirit... that you lack spiritual depth or richness. Jesus is saying, “Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and help you become rich in faith.”

Or maybe you are financially poor... the good news is that God wants you to ask Him to meet your needs.

And as we do, the result will be that our love for Him grows as we see our Heavenly Father provide for ALL of our needs!

PAUSE

4th …..Look in your Bibles….

Jesus said, “Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors….”

Which means….write this down…

4. As we pray, come clean about our sins and FREELY forgive others for they have hurt us.

Repeat

And FREELY is all caps because this is something for ALL of us to work on!

We want God to FREELY forgive us for all the bad things we have done…

Well…..God expects you to do the same with others….

And I KNOW that is hard….

But if we want to be forgiven….Jesus said we must forgive others.

When we sin against someone else, it can cause a wedge that can lead to a separation that can also lead to a full on divorce.

Unfortunately, it happens all the time.

But forgiveness has the power to mend any and all cracks caused by sin.

Forgiveness can turn even the worst of enemies into the best of friends.

Colossians 3:13, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

This aspect of our prayer time is important as it forces us to examine ourselves and our own hearts.

When we pray, we are to ask ourselves, “Is there any sin I need to confess?”

If so, ask for His forgiveness.

And “Is there something someone did to you that you are holding on to?”

Forgive them.

In the same way that God has forgiven you, freely extend forgiveness to others.

PAUSE

5th …..Look in your Bibles….

Jesus said, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”

Which means….write this down…

5. As we pray, ask God to protect us.

Repeat

Billy Graham once said that “The Christian life is not a playground but a battlefield.”

But how many of us pray like we believe that?

Jesus is saying that we ought to be asking God to keep us clear of the enemy’s temptations and activities.

I’m sure you’re aware that God has a good plan for your life...but, did you also know that the Devil also has a plan to take you down?

It’s important for us to be aware that we have an enemy who wants to destroy our lives...

Be humble, sober-minded, and dependent upon God.

BUT also remember… We have a God who is more powerful, who wants to lead / guide us and protect us!!!

PAUSE

I know this is a lot today….

So let me close with this….

One last thing we can do to show our love for God…

By giving up other things we love in order to seek Him instead.

That’s what the Bible calls “Fasting”.

You can write this down this last point,

We grow in our love for God by fasting.

(repeat)

Now, I know that fasting is kind of a fad in health circles today.

But again….we are not looking at this stuff from what culture teaches but from what the BIBLE teaches…

Biblical Fasting is a way of saying, “God, I’m more hungry for You than I am for food.” And as a result, I’m willing to give up food, drink, whatever in order to seek You instead!

All throughout history, God’s people have fasted for all different kinds of reasons.

For example, to gain victory over an enemy, to hear from God, as a sign of their repentance, for spiritual revival, and more.

And the awesome reality is, that whenever God’s people humbled themselves in fasting and prayer, He always moved powerfully on their behalf!

Now, today we don’t have time to go into detail on fasting, so we have put together a Prayer and Fasting Guide for all of us to take home and look through on our own. (Hold it up)

In it, you will find Scripture, explanation, practical guidelines, prayer points, and next steps for all of us to engage in prayer and fasting together this week.

So, pick one up on your way out, consider fasting and praying some this week, and then we will all come back together for a Night of Worship and Prayer next Sunday evening to seek the Lord together.

Family Church….

Let’s all commit to growing in our love for God this year through reading and obeying His Word AND praying and fasting and see what great things God will do in and through us! Amen?!?

Here’s your

Life Application:This week, commit to spend more time in the Bible, reading it, studying it and applying it to your lives. Commit to spending more time in prayer, maybe using the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern to follow.

And then commit to fasting from something you love in order to seek the Lord. As a result of today’s message, I will ________________________________________.

Communion Flow #1 – January, July

And church to help us in doing that today we will end our service with communion…..

Today, as we prepare to take communion.

I want you to understand you are called to serve.

The greatest servant ever was Jesus…. Jesus left Heaven…. to come to earth and give His life for us….

to become the bridge for our sins….

to take on our sins so we can be forgiven and enter into a perfect heaven.

That is why we take communion….to remember Jesus and what he did for us!

We believe and confess that our Savior Jesus Christ has ordained and instituted the sacrament of the Holy Supper to nourish and sustain those who are already grafted into his family, into his church . . .

Communion, is a means of grace for nourishing and strengthening disciples of Christ.

And to prepare our hearts to take communion I would like us all to raise and read the Apostles Creed together.

What I would like us to do is do a responsive reading now…to prepare our hearts to receive communion….

For those of you who are newer to church…. This is a creed that has been memorized and stated by the church for thousands of years.

On Screens, read aloud together:

Apostles Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

You may be seated.

As we prepare to take communion I want to let you know anyone here who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior is welcome to take communion.

Parents, you are also welcome to take communion with your kids if you think they are ready… feel free to talk to your children during communion and explain things to them.

Communion is a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.

Jesus instituted Communion on the evening He was betrayed. In Mathew 26:26-28 we read, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

Now we are going to listen to a song and as you listen I want to encourage you to take a moment and reflect on what it means that Jesus was willing to sacrifice His body for you and shed his blood for the forgiveness of your sins….

Take a moment and thank Jesus for his sacrifice for you.

Take a moment to ask Jesus to forgive you of any hidden sin in your life.

If you have not given your life to Jesus…take a moment now and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and tell him you now submit your life to him…

And then after this song, I will explain how we will take communion…. together….

AFTER THE SONG ENDS…..

In the seat in front of you there is a cup the looks like this……

EXPLAIN HOW TO OPEN based on style….

Just so you all know, the bread is gluten-free…

Let’s first take and eat the bread of life and give Jesus thanks for sacrificing his body for us.

Scripture tells us then Jesus took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

Drinking this cup symbolizes Jesus shedding his blood for our sins….

AND us asking Jesus to give you an increased portion of his Spirit to keep us away from sinning in the future!

Take and drink the cup in remembrance of Jesus shedding his blood for your sins.

Prayer:

Make sure to do a salvation call.

Offering Talk:

Thank you again for taking part of your weekend to spend time with us!

If you would like to give God your tithes or offerings, there at boxes by the doors as you exit that you can place those or any connection cards in.

Have a GREAT week!