No Strings Attached: From Death To Life: 1 John 3:14-24

 

Love…

1. Proves My Heart Has Been Transformed

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.
1 John 3:14 (CSB)

For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another, 12 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.13 Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
1 John 3:11-13 (CSB)

2. Moves Me To Live Like Christ

This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16 (CSB)

3. Compels Me To Powerful Actions

If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer[i] in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.
1 John 3:17-18 (CSB)

4. Draws Me Closer To God

This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things.21 Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. 23 Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us.
1 John 3:19-24 (CSB)

When I have an UNCONDEMING HEART I have…

A. ANSWERED PRAYERS

Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight.
1 John 3:21-22 (CSB)

Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
John 16:23-24 (CSB)

B. EMPOWERMENT OF THE SPIRIT

The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us.
1 John 3:24 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/no-strings-attached-from-death-to-life-1-john-314-24/

No Strings Attached: Hungering For God: Mark 10:46-52

Mark 10:46-52 (NIV)

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/no-strings-attached-hungering-for-god-mark-1046-52/

No Strings Attached: Walking In The Light: 1 John 1:5-10

 

1.  God Is Light

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him.           
1 John 1:5 (CSB)

2.  We Walk in Darkness

If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.           
1 John 1:6 (CSB)

3.  Christ Enables Dark People to Walk in the Light

If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:7-10 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/no-strings-attached-walking-in-the-light-1-john-15-10/

No Strings Attached: Life Giving Love: 1 John 2:1-6

 

 

4 Life Giving Truths About God’s Love

1.  God’s Love is Redemptive

My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.  He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2 (CSB)

2.  God’s Love is Revealing

The one who says, “I have come to know him,” and yet doesn’t keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:4 (CSB)

3.  God’s Love is Refining

But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him…
1 John 2:5 (CSB)

4.  God’s Love is Rewarding  

The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked.
1 John 2:6 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/no-strings-attached-life-giving-love-1-john-21-6/

Help: More Joy More Strength: Nehemiah 8:10

 

Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because your strength [comes from] rejoicing in the Lord.”
Nehemiah 8:10 (CSB)

1. WHAT IS JOY?

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
1 John 1:4 (ESV)

I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
John 15:11 (CSB)

…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 (CSB)

2. WHERE DOES JOY COME FROM?

“… Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
John 15:4; 11 (NLT)

3. HOW CAN I LIVE JOYFULLY?

A. Overcome Courageously

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various

trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 (CSB)

B. Give Generously

God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (CSB)

C. Devour Enthusiastically

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.
Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV)

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not

burdensome…
1 John 5:3 (NIV)

D. Overflow Spiritually

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)

And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52 (CSB)

E. Serve Passionately

F. Share The Good News Confidently

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/help-more-joy-more-strength-nehemiah-810/

Help: The Battle Is Not Yours: 2 Chronicles 20:1-29

 

GIANT PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SOLVED BY…

1.  BIG BOLD PRAYERS

Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the Lord’s temple before the new courtyard.  He said: Lord, God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven, and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, and no one can stand against you.  Are you not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?… Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.  Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of your possession that you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.
2 Chronicles 20:6-12 (CSB)

2.  PATIENT PERSISTENT WAITING

And he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.’”
2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (CSB)

3.  ENTHUSIASTIC ENERGETIC PRAISE

Then Jehoshaphat knelt low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship him. Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting loudly…Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of his holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for his faithful love endures forever. The moment they began their shouts and praises, the Lord set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.
2 Chronicles 20:18-22 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/help-the-battle-is-not-yours-2-chronicles-201-29/

Help: Run To The Tower: Proverbs 18:10-11

 

 

God’s Help Is Available When I…

1. Magnify His Name

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
Proverbs 18:10 (CSB)

2. Run To His Presence

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
Proverbs 18:10 (CSB)

3. Reject Self Dependence

A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.
Proverbs 18:11 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/help-run-to-the-tower-proverbs-1810-11/