Totally Transformed By Love!
Notes
Transcript
1 John 4:12-16 (NLT)
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
Tonight we are going to see how a relationship with Jesus Changes EVERYTHING
IT impacts us in practical, noticeable ways—changing and transforming our character, perspective, position and purpose in Life.
Larry’s Story
Pray
1 John 4:12 “12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides (Lives) in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”
The Love of God is Demonstrated through us Personally
No one has seen God at any time
Exodus 33:20 “20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.””
His Glory is too Great to be fully consumed
His love has been perfected in us
Perfected: Finished, Fulfilled
The Finished and fulfilled Love of God in our lives should be on display to the world watching of our lives
Our lives are to be a reflection of His Love, Just as Moses reflected the Glory of God when he came down the mountain.
Exodus 34:29–32 “29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.”
While people can’t see God directly, they can see His love in us when we actively love others.
Matthew 5:16 “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Lighthouse illustration (Close your eyes for just a minute)
It is 9pm and you are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean
You are on a tiny row boat
As you look in front of you you see nothing but the black expanse of the ocean for miles ahead
There aren’t ant stars in the sky…as the sky is filled with clouds.
It begins to rain and your boat begins to fill with water.
In panic and desperation you look around and look behind you and see the bright, but distant light of a lighthouse
Consider with me, what is the thought, emotion or idea that comes to you when you see that lighthouse?
Hope, Joy, Peace,?
Your Life is to be that lighthouse providing Joy, hope and Peace to the watching world that lives each day in darkness, without the Love experiencing the Love of God
Matthew 5:14–15 “14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
YOU ARE the Light if the World…
But are you?
Do you demonstrate the Love of God to your classmates or co-workers when they frustrate to no end?
Do you Demonstrate the Love of God to your parents and peers when they are in need of help or do you selfishly consider your needs above theirs?
Do you demonstrate the Love of God by encouraging the people He has put around you to live God honoring lives, or do you egg them on to live in the way of the world?
How can your actions and attitudes better demonstrate the Love of God to the watching world?
1 John 4:13 “13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.”
The Spirit of God Dwells in us Internally
The Holy Spirit is a gift and helper that to those that have been reborn in Christ
The Spirit Gives Power and Purpose
Acts 1:8 “8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””
Power:
What do you need his power for?
Power to overcome the fear of rejection by people if you live your life for the Lord?
Power to overcome the the bondage of sin, addiction, hurt or pain?
He wants to give you POWER as you abide in the spirit and the spirit abides in you
Purpose
You are to be His witness
Witness: (Marytis)- Witness or Martyr
Witness:
Yes, we are to publically declare who He is and what he has done in our life…
Mark 16:15 “15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Martyr:
It will cost you…
Are you willing to put to death your image/status in the eyes of the world
Are you willing to put to death your wants, will and way and follow the way of Jesus ?
Are you aware of the Spirit’s presence in you?
or are you living so fast paced for yourself that you don’t notice or recognize his voice in the midst of the other voices?
I want to encourage you to take time over the next week and spend time intentionally seeking Him.
Time in prayer
Time in worship
Time listening quietly to Him
Let Him speak and lead your daily decisions
He will be faithful to speak and give direction and power!
1 John 4:14 “14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.”
The Son of God Redeems us Entirely
God’s love is not passive;
It’s redeeming and transformational.
Jesus came as the Savior of the world, taking on our sin and shame.
John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
He came not to control our lives but redeem, restore and renew our lives
He is the Master Recycler
John 10:10 (NLT) 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
He takes what was wasted, weary and worn out
And replaces it with worth and purpose and hope
Consider the Life of Larry
Living a life of hopelessness, lacking meaning, lacking direction or value
The Lord redeemed it and gave him purpose, hope, vision and value
What are the areas of brokenness, failure, or shame you may need to bring to Christ for healing and redemption?
“Your promise still stands, great is your faithfulness…I see you move, you move the mountains…You made a way, when there was no way…and I believe you will do it again….”
Trust that He will be faithful to redeem…
1 John 4:15–16 “15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”
The Love of God Transforms us Positionally
God’s love repositions us—we’re no longer distant from Him but abide in Him.
Our identity is transformed as we live in and through His love.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 6:18 “18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.””
Consider how adoption changes the life of a child, giving them a new family and home.
Likewise, God’s love transforms our spiritual position, making us children of God.
We have direct access to the King of Kings,
The Creator of the Universe, wants to hear from you because He is your dad
Do we live in light of this new position as Kids of the King?
Are you living with the identity of someone who is deeply loved by God?
This should Impact the way you live, the way you see yourself and the way you look at your future.
It all begin and ends with Love
Recap: God’s love isn’t just a comforting idea; it impacts every dimension of who we are. It’s meant to be demonstrated, dwells within us, redeems us completely, and transforms our identity.