Church 2/9/2025
Sermon message:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.
What is the greatest commandment?
Jesus’s answer: Love God with your all; love others like yourselves. (Matthew 22:36-40)
Thesis: The ability to love.
God is love.
If you’ve given your heart to Jesus, you can walk in love.
But if you’re not walking in love, you might not be spending enough time with God.
Solution: Welcome God and walk with Him.
Point #1: You can love God because He first loved you.
God never mocks you or puts you down.
1 John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us.
Why is easy for us to love God when we spend time with Him?
He doesn’t put you down, or mock you. He instead lets you know that you are valuable. He loves you.
Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
John 3:16
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.
God gave the world the most valuable thing He had: His Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 3:1 first part
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
Isaiah 49:15-16
“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,A very present help in trouble.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 8:1 first part
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,
Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
1 John 4:19 again
We love Him because He first loved us.
Point #2: You can love yourself because God loves you.
When we start loving God we can start to love ourselves as well. Because God loves you.
Not a prideful or cocky (or selfish) love; but a humble love.
Romans 5:5
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Point #3: You can love others because God loves you.
First love God, then love what God is doing in you. Then love others.
Romans 5:5 again
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
How can we love others?
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.