Transformative Love: A Gift from God

In this session, we explore the profound truth that loving God in Christ is both a necessity and a divine gift. It is essential for entering into God's eternal kingdom, the new heavens and the new earth. This love is not merely an obligation or a duty; it is a transformation of the heart that treasures God above all else. The nature of this love is akin to the deep affection one has for their own child, a love that delights and treasures. This love is not something we can manufacture on our own; it is a miraculous work of God in our hearts.

The Old Testament promises, such as those in Deuteronomy 30:6 and Ezekiel 36:26, foretell a time when God will circumcise our hearts, removing the hardness and giving us a heart that can truly love Him. This promise is fulfilled in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, who, by His death and resurrection, enables this miraculous transformation. The new birth, as described in 1 Peter 1:3, is the means by which God gives us a new heart and spirit, allowing us to love Him genuinely.

This love is characterized by a delight in God's commandments, which are no longer burdensome but a joy. It is a love that overcomes the world, as the new birth breaks the worldly powers that hinder our affection for God. The new birth, through the living and abiding Word of God, implants an imperishable seed within us, causing us to taste and see that the Lord is good. This tasting and treasuring of God's goodness is the essence of loving Him.

Ultimately, loving God is a gift from God, mediated by the Spirit through the Word, resulting in a heart that treasures Jesus above all else. It is both a duty and a delight, a necessity and a gift, a transformation that leads us to value God more than anything in the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Loving God is a necessity for entering His eternal kingdom, but it is not merely an obligation; it is a transformation of the heart that treasures God above all else. This love is akin to the deep affection one has for their own child, a love that delights and treasures. [00:49]
• 2. The Old Testament promises of a circumcised heart, as seen in Deuteronomy and Ezekiel, are fulfilled in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. This miraculous transformation enables us to love God genuinely, as He removes the hardness of our hearts and gives us a new spirit. [02:36]
• 3. The new birth, described in 1 Peter, is the means by which God gives us a new heart and spirit, allowing us to love Him genuinely. This love is characterized by a delight in God's commandments, which are no longer burdensome but a joy. [04:41]
• 4. The new birth breaks the worldly powers that hinder our affection for God, allowing us to overcome the world. This transformation results in a heart that treasures Jesus above all else, as we taste and see that the Lord is good. [05:39]
• 5. Loving God is a gift from God, mediated by the Spirit through the Word, resulting in a heart that treasures Jesus above all else. It is both a duty and a delight, a necessity and a gift, a transformation that leads us to value God more than anything in the world. [09:33]
  ** [09:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:26] - Introduction to Loving God
• [00:49] - Necessity of Loving God
• [01:09] - Prayer for Understanding
• [01:35] - Nature of Love for God
• [02:36] - Promise of a New Heart
• [03:27] - Fulfillment in the New Covenant
• [04:08] - New Heart and Spirit
• [04:41] - The New Birth
• [05:16] - Overcoming the World
• [05:58] - Origin of Love for God
• [06:38] - New Birth and Living Hope
• [07:33] - Born Again through the Word
• [08:19] - Tasting the Goodness of God
• [09:33] - Conclusion: Love as a Gift

1. Deuteronomy 30:6
2. Ezekiel 36:26
3. 1 Peter 1:3

1. According to Deuteronomy 30:6, what is the significance of God circumcising the heart, and how does this relate to loving Him? [02:36]
2. In Ezekiel 36:26, what transformation does God promise to His people, and how does this enable them to love Him genuinely? [03:51]
3. How does 1 Peter 1:3 describe the new birth, and what role does it play in our ability to love God? [06:38]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of love for God, and how is it similar to the love one has for their own child? [01:58]

1. How does the promise of a new heart in Ezekiel 36:26 connect to the concept of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ? What implications does this have for believers today? [03:51]
2. In what ways does the new birth, as described in 1 Peter 1:3, break the worldly powers that hinder our affection for God? How does this transformation manifest in a believer's life? [05:39]
3. The sermon mentions that loving God is both a duty and a delight. How can these two aspects coexist, and what does this mean for our daily walk with God? [09:33]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in mediating the gift of loving God? What practical steps can believers take to nurture this love? [10:20]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt your heart was hardened towards God. How can the promise of a new heart in Deuteronomy 30:6 encourage you to seek transformation in those areas? [02:36]
2. Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of God giving us a heart of flesh. What specific areas of your life need this transformation, and how can you invite God to work in those areas? [03:51]
3. The sermon describes loving God as a delight rather than a burden. Identify one commandment of God that you currently find burdensome. How can you shift your perspective to find joy in it? [04:55]
4. Consider the worldly powers that might be hindering your affection for God. What practical steps can you take this week to overcome these obstacles and deepen your love for Him? [05:39]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of treasuring Jesus above all else. What is one thing in your life that competes for your affection, and how can you prioritize your love for Jesus over it? [09:33]
6. How can you actively engage with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to cultivate a heart that treasures Jesus? What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine? [10:20]
7. Reflect on the analogy of loving God as one loves their own child. How can this perspective change the way you approach your relationship with God, and what steps can you take to nurture this love? [01:58]