Unconditional Love: Commitment to God and Truth
Summary
The sermon delivered by the speaker delved into the profound commandment to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, emphasizing that the greatest question for believers is not whether God loves us, but whether we truly love Him. The speaker underscored that God's love is evident through the sacrifice of His Son, and that our love for God should be reflected in a life without excuses, fully committed to knowing Him and living out His purposes.
The speaker addressed the challenges of loving Jesus and others in a culture that often contradicts biblical values. They shared the story of Rosaria Butterfield, a former lesbian activist who experienced a transformative relationship with Christ through the genuine friendship and love of a pastor and his family. This narrative highlighted the importance of loving people without endorsing or condemning their lifestyles, and the danger of allowing postmodernism to redefine absolute truth.
In discussing the Protestant Reformation, the speaker reminded the congregation of the importance of adhering strictly to God's Word, as exemplified by Martin Luther's stance against adding to the Bible. Similarly, the speaker referenced the revival led by John Wesley as a response to the church's tendency to subtract from God's Word, emphasizing the call to holiness and obedience without excuses.
The speaker also touched on the welcoming nature of Jesus and His church, stating that all sinners are invited to come as they are, without the expectation of living like Jesus before knowing Him. This inclusive approach was balanced with the assertion that those who love Jesus are expected to obey Him, a sentiment that was echoed in the speaker's personal anecdotes about overcoming challenges and discomfort out of love for God and the things that matter most.
The sermon concluded with a reflection on the conflict between truth and feelings in a postmodern world, where the speaker cautioned against redefining Jesus and His teachings to suit personal preferences or societal trends. They called for a "no excuses love" for God that prioritizes truth over feelings and obedience over convenience.
Key Takeaways:
- Loving God is an active choice that requires a "no excuses" approach to life. The speaker's personal story of contracting COVID-19 and dealing with the disruption of plans serves as a reminder that our love for God is tested in the face of adversity. True love for God is demonstrated through perseverance and commitment, even when it is inconvenient or challenging. [38:54]
- The speaker's experience with the autobahn in Germany illustrates the principle that when we truly love something, we will endure pain and make sacrifices to pursue it. This parallels our relationship with God, where our love is shown by our willingness to obey His commandments and live out His teachings, regardless of the personal cost. [45:23]
- The story of Rosaria Butterfield's transformation from a lesbian activist to a Bible-believing Christian exemplifies the power of love and friendship over judgment and condemnation. The speaker's emphasis on loving others without compromising truth provides a model for engaging with those who hold different beliefs or lifestyles, fostering change through genuine relationships rather than through force or coercion. [01:04:17]
- The Protestant Reformation and the revival led by John Wesley serve as historical reminders of the importance of adhering to God's Word without addition or subtraction. The speaker's reference to these events underscores the necessity of maintaining the purity of biblical teachings and the call to holiness in our personal and communal lives. [51:17]
- The speaker's discussion on postmodernism and its influence on the church challenges believers to hold fast to the absolute truths of the Bible. In a culture that often prioritizes feelings over truth, the speaker calls for a steadfast commitment to Jesus' teachings, resisting the temptation to redefine or neglect His words in the name of love or cultural relevance. [57:24]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 12:30 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
2. Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
3. John 14:23-24 - "Jesus replied, 'Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Mark 12:30 command us to do, and why is it considered the greatest commandment? [33:47]
2. According to Romans 5:8, how does God demonstrate His love for us? [34:23]
3. In John 14:23-24, what does Jesus say is the evidence of someone loving Him? [47:25]
4. How did the speaker illustrate the concept of "no excuses love" through his personal story about the autobahn in Germany? [41:59]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand that the greatest question is whether we love God, rather than whether God loves us? [34:23]
2. How does the story of Rosaria Butterfield illustrate the power of love and friendship in transforming lives? [01:04:17]
3. What are the dangers of allowing postmodernism to influence our understanding of biblical truth, according to the speaker? [52:02]
4. How does the speaker's reference to the Protestant Reformation and John Wesley's revival emphasize the importance of adhering to God's Word without addition or subtraction? [49:59]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have been making excuses in your relationship with God? How can you adopt a "no excuses" approach to loving Him? [30:07]
2. The speaker mentioned enduring pain and inconvenience for something you love. What sacrifices are you willing to make to demonstrate your love for God? [45:23]
3. How can you show love to others without compromising biblical truth, especially in a culture that often contradicts Christian values? [01:04:17]
4. In what ways can you ensure that you are not adding to or subtracting from God's Word in your personal and communal life? [51:17]
5. The speaker discussed the conflict between truth and feelings in a postmodern world. How can you prioritize biblical truth over personal feelings in your daily decisions? [57:24]
6. Think of a specific person in your life who holds different beliefs or lifestyles. How can you build a genuine relationship with them, similar to the pastor's approach with Rosaria Butterfield? [01:04:17]
7. What steps can you take this week to obey Jesus' teachings more faithfully, as a demonstration of your love for Him? [47:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Love Tested by Adversity
Loving God wholeheartedly means remaining steadfast during trials and disruptions. When plans fall apart, such as an unexpected illness like COVID-19, it's an opportunity to demonstrate true commitment to God. This love perseveres, prioritizing God's will over personal convenience or comfort. [38:54]
James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: How has your love for God been tested recently, and how did you respond to that challenge?
Day 2: Sacrificial Pursuit of God
True love for God is marked by a willingness to endure hardship and make sacrifices. Just as one might face discomfort to experience something they love, such as driving on the autobahn, so too should believers be prepared to obey God's commandments, even when it requires personal sacrifice. [45:23]
Hebrews 12:11 - "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: What sacrifices are you called to make in your pursuit of God, and how can you embrace them as part of your spiritual growth?
Day 3: Transformative Power of Love
The transformative power of love is evident when we engage with others through genuine relationships rather than judgment. The story of Rosaria Butterfield's journey to faith reveals that change is possible when love is extended without compromising the truth. [01:04:17]
1 Peter 4:8 - "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
Reflection: Who in your life may benefit from experiencing God's love through you, and how can you show that love without compromising your beliefs?
Day 4: Adherence to Biblical Truth
The Protestant Reformation and John Wesley's revival remind us of the importance of adhering to the purity of Scripture. Believers are called to holiness and obedience, engaging with God's Word without adding or subtracting from its teachings. [51:17]
2 Timothy 1:13-14 - "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your study and application of the Bible remain true to its original message and intent?
Day 5: Prioritizing Truth Over Feelings
In a postmodern world where feelings often take precedence, believers are called to prioritize truth and obedience to Jesus' teachings. This steadfast commitment resists the temptation to redefine or neglect His words for personal or cultural convenience. [57:24]
Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: In what ways might you be tempted to prioritize feelings over biblical truth, and how can you align your life more closely with the teachings of Jesus?
Quotes
"Let love be the greatest commandment, then the greatest question is do you love Him. We often think that the greatest question is does He love me... but the majority of the conversation should be around our love for God." [34:23] (Download)
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us... the answer does God love you is yes. So if you're listening and you're spiritually unresolved, listen in: God loves you." [35:02] (Download)
"Instead of pointing out her lifestyle, they invited her into their friendship. They did not celebrate her life nor condemn her life but showed her their life." [01:05:26] (Download)
"Scripture says be holy as I am Holy; he not only makes you holy by forgiving you and restoring you, but the Holy Spirit lives within you and we are called to be holy as He is holy." [51:17] (Download)
"Jesus tells us that there is absolute truth... I am the way you get life I am the truth the source of Truth and when I speak it is the truth and I'm the only way to get that I'm the only way to God the Father." [54:08] (Download)
"Jesus his church welcomes all Sinners...you don't clean up your life to come to Jesus you come to Jesus to clean up your life." [01:01:21] (Download)
"Expect no one to obey Jesus if they don't love him...this idea that somehow we're supposed to impose on a world of people who don't even believe in Jesus to be like Jesus is absurd." [01:03:14] (Download)
"Jesus replied anyone who loves me will obey my teaching... if you love him... then you will adjust your thinking and your living to think like him and live like him no excuses." [47:58] (Download)
"If loving people means you add and subtract to the body, you are not loving people more, you are loving Jesus less." [01:08:25] (Download)
"Truth trumps feelings and listen we most tend to do this when it's someone we love... we so love them that we start thinking maybe Jesus will rewrite the Bible for them." [01:06:06] (Download)
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