Compelling Love (2)

Compelling Love

William H. Banegas July 9, 2011

Scripture: II Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Theme: If you’ve experienced Christ’s compelling love for you, you will live for Him Who died for you. OR

Go Full Throttle for God, because out of His compelling love He died for you.

Introduction: Turn with me, now in your Bibles to II Corinthians 5:14-15. I have by God’s grace accomplished something this week that I never thought would happen: I prepared 2 messages for one service. No worries, just one tonight. I initially after an experience I had earlier this week thought that I would speak from one passage only to be overwhelmed by the message of the last verse of WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS. Let’s turn there now in our hymnals and sign together the last verse. As we’re singing, ask yourself, “How does this relate to our theme for VBS?” What line in that song relates to our theme? Have you as staff for VBS considered why we should go Full Throttle for God? I believe that the stanza we just sang and the verses we’re about to read declare to us: If you’ve experienced Christ’s compelling love for you, you will live for Him Who died for you.

Whose love is it? Paul’s (believer’s) or Christ’s

The love that compels us to live for Christ Who died for us is His love. The way that Paul sets up this statement is always indicative of the Love that God (Christ) has for man.-The Expositor’s Greek NT, Nicoll

What is the Compelling love of Jesus Christ?

Love that sacrifices for the good of others.

Action-Christ died

Amazing-Christ died for all

What does the Compelling love of Jesus Christ do?

Motivates to action-The whole-hearted pursuit to live in complete obedience to the One Who overwhelmingly loved us.

Definition, compel: purposeful pressure

Ex. Attacking a city to overtake it

Ex. A strait through which a ship is forced to go through in order to complete its journey

Ex. A cattle farmer holding a cow in place in order to give it medication

Trust in God to comfort you when it gets tough. (Chapter 1)

Paul recounted a situation of affliction where rather than despairing, as they did once, they trusted in God Who is their comfort in all affliction for a testimony to the afflicted and salvation.

In spite of the vexing of spirit we may have this week, we must trust in God to be our Comfort for whatever trial may come our way.

Obey by receiving those who desire to obey. (Chapter 2)

There was a situation in the church where one had done something grievous to the body but he had repented and Paul urged them to forgive him.

Receive your young people, or adults, willingly and freely who seek to follow the Lord in obedience.

Don’t make initial judgments about their decisions

Counsel them according to their decision needs

Seek to understand your student’s relationship with Jesus Christ

Faithful to Ministry of Revelation/Reconciliation, because if our Gospel is hid, it’s hid to the lost. (Chapter 3, 4)

Paul in the middle of Chapter 3 begins to talk about the surpassing glory of the Gospel of Christ as compared with the Old Covenant and explains the ministry of revealing/reconciliation that he has and the importance of sharing it with others.

Prepare for your lessons each day by reading when you can and learning what you can; don’t rely on the curriculum alone (because it’s written by man), read the Bible more, become more familiar with the Scripture then with the lesson. (Society Chaplaincy-Become more familiar with the Bible passage than with the curriculum)

Looking forward to going to Heaven because that’s where Christ is. (Chapter 4, 5)

Paul makes it clear in 4:18 that he along with his companions look for the eternal things and elaborates more on what he is looking forward to in 5:8.

Longing for your eternal home

You’re still here v.2

You want to be there v.8 (John 14:2-4)

Conscious of His judgment

Conclusion: So, have you prepared yourself for ministry this next week? I’m not talking about just the time studying the curriculum, but spiritually. Have you considered Christ’s great love and furthered committed yourself to living for Him alone? If not, what’s stopping you?

Classroom Strategies

Assistant Crew Chief:

Maintain discipline during lesson time

Engaging them directly w/o losing lesson focus (Don’t draw attention to yourself)

Sitting alongside of them

Sit with the young people; be a learner along with them

Crew Chief:

? and Answer:

Positively correct an answer

Don’t tell someone that they’re “wrong”

Positively enforce the correct answer when given without drawing attention to the incorrect answers

Don’t verbalize frustrations; trust in God to provide you with the love you need for these young people

Think ahead to maintain discipline and order