HOLY SPIRIT- The Baptism Of Love // February 8th

A clear invitation to a fresh outpouring of God’s love, calling believers to pursue the wellspring behind every spiritual gift and act of power. The message frames God’s identity—Father, Son, and Spirit—as love itself, not merely a source or distributor of love. From creation to the cross, love is shown as sacrificial, active, and powerful: love created humanity, love gave Christ for sinners, and love motivates every healing and miracle. Rather than chasing manifestations or spiritual status, the congregation is urged to chase the Giver so that gifts flow as expressions of divine love for the common good.

The teaching roots Pentecostal practice in relational theology: baptism of the Spirit and a “baptism of love” are two depths of the same work of God, with the latter described as the character that must shape every exercise of gifts. Without love, prophetic words, tongues, and healings become hollow and self-serving; with love they build, heal, and testify. Practical counsel accompanies theology: prefer a physical Bible to reduce distraction and increase retention, feast on Scripture so the Spirit can recall truth in battle with intrusive thoughts, and repeatedly seek fresh fillings of love because the heart leaks and the world wounds.

Illustrations—from Jesus touching a leper moved with compassion to Paul’s “most excellent way” in Corinthians—demonstrate that love pursues, sacrifices, and liberates. Forgiveness, confession, and daily alignment with Scripture are presented as necessary pathways to receive and sustain the revelation of God’s love. The final invitation is both pastoral and prophetic: come forward for a fresh baptism of love, for healing, and for deliverance from condemning thoughts, trusting that God is willing, able, and eager to fill his people so love oozes outward and the church becomes a compelling witness to a watching world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God's nature is sacrificial love God’s being is not defined by actions alone but by a triune, relational love that eternally gives and delights. Understanding God as love reframes salvation, creation, and empowerment: every act of grace flows from a heart that first loved. This shifts worship from utility to devotion—pursuing intimacy with the Lover, not merely His blessings. [44:51]
• 2. Baptism of love equals Spirit The baptism of love is not a separate sideline but a depth within the Spirit’s work—an immersion in God that transforms motive and method. When the Spirit fills a life, love becomes the governing power that shapes how gifts operate and how people are treated. Seeking the Spirit without expecting this love risks counterfeit spirituality; pursuing love ensures authenticity. [52:55]
• 3. Gifts without love are hollow Spiritual gifts lose their teleology if detached from agape; they become noise rather than nourishment. True prophetic words, healings, and ministries must be evaluated by their fruit of sacrificial, patient, truth-embracing love that builds up others. This exposes selfish ambition and invites repentance, refocusing gifts toward the common good. [72:22]
• 4. Love casts out all fear Perfect, revealed love removes the root power of fear—fear of shame, rejection, and spiritual impotence—and produces freedom in identity and action. Experiencing God’s love softens defensive anger, dissolves division, and empowers bold obedience because worth is anchored in being beloved, not performance. This freedom is essential for sustained ministry and healing. [54:36]
• 5. Feast on Scripture daily Daily ingestion of Scripture trains memory and equips the Spirit to bring truth in moments of attack, replacing lies with reliable proclamations. Regular Bible engagement is the discipline that corroborates altar encounters, enabling believers to take captive recurring intrusive thoughts and realign with sonship. Without it, spiritual experiences are vulnerable to decay and deception. [111:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [41:37] - Opening & context
• [42:29] - Why bring a physical Bible
• [43:15] - Readings and Scripture affirmed
• [44:15] - 1 John: "God is love"
• [49:50] - Introducing the baptism of love
• [52:55] - Baptism of love and the Spirit
• [55:20] - Love: creation and salvation
• [72:22] - Gifts without love (1 Cor 13)
• [94:20] - Invitation, prayer, and altar response

1. According to 1 John 4:7-8, what is the direct connection between knowing God and loving others?
2. In the sermon, what was described as the "most excellent way" that governs the use of spiritual gifts? [52:08]
3. What illustration from Mark 1:40-45 was used to show the motivation behind Jesus' miraculous power? [01:29:41]
4. According to the message, what happens to spiritual gifts like prophecy or tongues when they are exercised without love? [01:12:22]

1. The message stated that the "baptism of love" and the "baptism of power" are not different things, but rather the love is a "depth within" the Spirit's work. [52:55] What does this suggest about the relationship between experiencing God's power and being transformed by His love?
2. Why is it significant that the Bible says "God *is* love" rather than just that He *has* love or *gives* love? How does this change our understanding of His nature and actions, from creation to salvation?
3. The message warned that powerful spiritual activity without love can become "spiritual abuse." [01:14:18] What might that look like in a church setting, and how does love protect against it?
4. How does the concept that "love casts out all fear" [54:36] provide a foundation for freedom in our identity and the bold use of spiritual gifts for others?

1. The message emphasized that our hearts "leak" and we need repeated fillings of God's love. [01:26:03] What are the specific indicators in your life—like irritability or defensiveness—that signal your need to go back to the well of God's love?
2. Spiritual gifts are meant for the "common good," to build up others. [01:15:29] Is your desire for spiritual power or gifts primarily for personal edification or for the benefit of the church and a watching world? How can you shift your focus more towards loving service?
3. One practical takeaway was the importance of feasting on Scripture daily so the Spirit has truth to bring to mind in moments of spiritual attack or intrusive thoughts. [01:51:38] What is one tangible step you can take this week to engage more deeply with God's Word in a way that will help you replace lies with His truth?
4. The message described how unforgiveness can be a barrier to receiving from God. [02:09:21] Is there anyone you are holding anything against? What would it look like to choose forgiveness this week, not as a feeling but as an act of obedience that aligns with God's love for you?
5. Jesus was "moved with compassion" to touch and heal the untouchable. [01:33:35] Who in your life seems "untouchable" or difficult to love? How can you ask God for a fresh baptism of His love to see them through His eyes and move toward them with compassion?