FAITH LOADED WITH LOVE
6-26-11
PASTOR LES SANDERS
MILFORD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
I. THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS
Galatians 5:6(NIV) 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
A. GREATER THINGS WILL BE DONE THROUGH THE BELIEVERS,
1. WE CAN NOT DEMONSTRATE A MORE PERFECT LOVE JUST MORE
1 JN 4:7-12 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
B. FAITH LOADED WITH LOVE IS A DEADLY
1. DEADLY OVER THE POWER OF DARKNESS,
2. DEADLY OVER THE POWER OF THE FLESH,
3. DEADLY OVER SIN,
2 Timothy 1:6-7(KJV) 6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
a) IT BREAKS GUILT,
b) ANGER,
c) PRIDE,
d) RELIGION,
e) GREED,
f) COVETING,
g) PREDIGESTS
h) SELFISHNESS,
i) ANY WALL BETWEEN YOU AND GOD,
C. FAITH LOADED WITH LOVE BRING LIFE
1. SOUNDNESS OF MIND,
2. COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS,
1 Peter 4:7-10(NIV) 7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
a) FORGIVES,
b) RESTORES,
c) INCLUDES,
d) HEALS WOUNDS
(1) EMOTIONAL,
(2) PHYSICAL,
(3) RELATIONSHIPS,
3. SNATCHES THE LOST OUT OF THE FIRE OF HELL
Jude 1:22-23(NIV) 22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
II. FAITH WITHOUT LOVE IS JUST WORKS OR WORDS
A. FAITH LOADED WITH LOVE HAS PURPOSE,
1. WITHOUT LOVE FAITH AT BEST IS MISDIRECTED OR EMPTY, AT WORSE SIN,
1 cor 13 1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
2. WITHOUT LOVE WHAT WOULD BE OUR MOTIVATION?
B. LET EVERYTHING WE DO BE DONE IN LOVE!
1 Corinthians 16:13-14(NIV) 13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.
1. THE MORE WE KNOW HIM THE MORE WE LOVE HIM,
C. HOW BIG IS HIS LOVE
1. BIG ENOUGH TO HEAL US,
2. BIG ENOUGH TO FORGIVE US,
3. BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL OF MANKIND,
4. IT IS BIG ENOUGH!!!