Living in Love

The sermon this morning is really quite simple. Everyone recognizes that we need to love and be loved. We can't do this on our own. Therefore, we need God to fill us with his unquenchable supply of love so that we CAN love one another. It's not hard to understand; putting it into practice is something else. However, give it a shot this week. Love someone who cannot repay you or return your love. Perhaps you could anonymously do good for someone in need. Don't think of it as your doing something for someone; instead, think of it as passing on what God has already given you in abundance.

Walking As Jesus Walked

It's been quite the adventure hosting Hank (the cow dog) over the holidays. He is currently living in a pen where the kitchen table once rested. I wasn't really able to work Hank into the sermon but just wanted everyone to get a look at him before he grows to his adult size of 50-60 lbs!

Willie, on the other hand, provided a wonderful example for the sermon. At last we've solved his pulling tendencies by the use of the "Gentle Leader." This collar places a strap across his nose which only applies pressure if he runs ahead of his master (PC alert! Formerly the adopted parents of dogs were called masters. Gasp!)
If Willie would simply trust his Master, he would happily walk beside him without any type of collar or lease.



When God calls us to "walk as Jesus walked" he gives us total freedom. We can (foolishly) choose to walk in darkness (and suffer the consequence) or we can joyfully walk in the light (and enjoy all the benefits!). The blood of Jesus makes it possible for us to follow the desire of our heart to live obediently to God in spite of our sins. The only "requirement" is faith! As the old hymn says, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus; but to trust and obey."

Walk in the Light

Today's sermon is one of my all time favorites. I actually preached the sermon at Clear Lake back in early January of 2000. After the sermon, someone at church commented that in the margin of 1 John, chapter 1 she had formerly written, "Direction, Not Perfection."

It really is good news that Jesus saves us from sin. Not only our past sins, but also present and future. How wonderful it is that when the goal of our lives is to please God the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from sin, thus enabling us to grow in our Christlikeness. As a result we become more involved in loving and serving others instead of trying to find life by focusing on ourselves. What a Savior!

Real Life

My opening illustration this morning was taken from Dr. James Dobson's book, Hide or Seek. Since my children were small the book has been revised and reprinted. I highly recommend anything Dr. Dobson has written on child rearing.

One point that I decided not to make it my sermon (I may later in the series) has to do with the last verse of 1 John, "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" (5:21). At first glance it appears to be out of place; as though as he finished his letter John added an addendum. Upon reflection, however, it becomes obvious that this has been his warning throughout the letter. Jesus, eternal life in the flesh, has appeared. Everything else that promises life is an impostor or, to use the phrase most common in John's day, an idol. We are to keep ourselves from thinking and acting as though beauty, intelligence, money, athletic ability or anything else can give us life. "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11)