Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
•Love is to Define Us
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Paul uses fifteen verbs to tell us what love is. Love is action. It’s not sentiment. It’s not some vague hope. It’s not a good idea. It’s action.
morning sermon, April 23, 2023, Rev. Tim Rackley
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:19-26
When with ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see
It will be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me
How marvelous, how wonderful
And my song shall ever be
How marvelous, how wonderful
Is my Saviour’s love
I Stand Amazed, morning service, April 23, 2023
•Others Do Not Define Us
[Love] does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:5-6
•Darkness Doesn’t Define Us
[Love] keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Love sacrifices the right to rebel against God. God is always in control. He is in control of what is going on in your life, whether you like it or not. Love allows us, or enables us, to trust God when it is darkest, and to believe that He is good, and that He has good planned for us on the other side of this trial. When there is little to encourage us, love strengthens us.
morning sermon, April 23, 2023, Rev. Tim Rackley
Heavenly Father:
You loved us with a love beyond our understanding;
a love that rescued us when we didn’t deserve it;
a love so deep that it welcomes us back home
even after we squandered our inheritance
before coming to our senses;
a love so complete that it paid for our sin debt
once and for all with the blood of Your only Son;
a love so releasing that it opened our prison doors
so that we might live free;
a love that doesn’t crush us
but lifts us up on eagles’ wings to soar again;
a love that gives us hope for tomorrow;
a love that says, “I love you,”
with actions that speak louder than words;
a love that never ends.
morning service, April 23, 2023, Brad Doeden