Truth – reality (the opposite of illusion). It’s not just what we think or believe to be true; it’s what actually is absolutely true.
Love – Agape is the kind of love God has shown to us that we’re supposed to express to others. It’s a benevolent, selfless, sacrificial (others-centered) love.
2 John 1:5-6
Mark 2:13-17
If you struggle to share truth: Don’t leave out the truth. Truth points us in the right direction.
If you struggle to show love: Look for opportunities to show love. Bank up as much love as you can, whenever you can.
The goal is to live out truth-filled love and love-filled truth.
God has dreams for the world….and he has a plan, too!
Matthew 28:18-20 The Instructions: MAKE DISCIPLES Mark 16:15-16 The Impact: PEOPLE’S ETERNITY John 20:21-22 The Impetus: THE HOLY SPIRIT Luke 24:44-48 Acts 1:8 The Inclusiveness: THE WHOLE WORLD
Sharing Jesus with the WHOLE WORLD starts with sharing Jesus in OUR WORLD.
Colossians 2:13-15 BSB 13When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, 14having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it [our debt] away, nailing it to the cross! 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Jesus’ death and resurrection was the greatest show ever.
It was the greatest show of MERCY
It was the greatest show of POWER
It was the greatest show of LOVE
Romans 5:8 “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Matthew 14:22-32 (text)
Jesus sometimes leads us into a storm of resistance.
1 Jesus sees us in our storm. Mark 6:45-46 2 Jesus will show up in our storm. 3 Jesus wants us to trust him in the storm. 4 Jesus will handle* our storm.
Mark 10:17-22 He kept the commands about loving others, but failed to actually love others. 1 John 3:17 James 2:16 In failing to love others, he actually failed to love God, too. 1 Peter 1:5-9 When Jesus hits the bullseye of your heart, there’s no negotiating. What’s the bullseye for you? Will you give up what matters much in order to gain what matters most?
Jesus saw something in them that they didn’t see in themselves.
He wanted to change their lives. He wanted to change the world. Matthew 9:35-38 Matthew 10:5-8 He wanted to change all eternity. Matthew 28:29-20 (text)
Jesus can change our life, change the world, and change all eternity.
