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Sermon . LOVE INCORRUPTIBLE Eph 6:21-24 Introduction. HOW MUCH LOVE FOR CHRIST IS NECESSARY TO BE A CHRISTIAN? ANY love for Christ is evidence of a changed heart.
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Sermon • LOVE INCORRUPTIBLE • Eph 6:21-24 • Introduction
HOW MUCH LOVE FOR CHRIST IS NECESSARY TO BE A CHRISTIAN? • ANY love for Christ is evidence of a changed heart
So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Ephesians 6:21-24 ESV)
HABIT #1 CONTEMPLATE Christ – (a lot) • EMBRACE HIM AS HE REVEALS HIMSELF, NOT AS YOU WANT HIM TO BE.
To be loved without being known is shallow and very unsatisfying • To be known without being loved is our greatest fear
HABIT # 2 – Be much in reading and studying the Scriptures • Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)
HABIT 3 – Be much in prayer for this love • Rev 2:4 letter to the church at Ephesus • – “this I have against you, that you have left your first love.”
Love for the Lord is like that single Jenga piece without which the tower falls.
John Piper • Cultivate the capacities for pleasure in Christ. One reason sinful desires rise up so quickly in so many is that Christ has so little appeal. We default to deceit because we have little delight in Christ. Don’t say, "That’s just not me."
What steps have you taken to waken affection for Jesus? Have you fought for joy? Don’t be fatalistic. You were created to treasure Christ with all your heart – more than you treasure sex or sugar. If you have little taste for Jesus, competing pleasures will triumph.
HABIT 4 – Labor for clear evidences of His love unto you • Consideration of His love for you will increase your love for Him!!
Thomas Vincent: • “You will love a less lovely person who loves you more than a more lovely person who hates you. The love of the person beloved is a strong attraction and one of the great incentives unto love.”
HABIT 5 – Get much hatred of sin; watch, pray, fight against sin as the worst of evils; disturb sin as much as you can. • For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. O you who love the LORD, hate evil! (Psalm 97:9-10 ESV)