For the Glory of God
Verse of the Day
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” -John 21:15
“He loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee, that he loves not for Thy sake.” -St. Augustine via John Piper’s Twitter
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3
We are nothings, we are nobodies; yet this glorious Everybody, this All in All, did actually set His love upon us! -Charles Spurgeon via TrueWoman’s Twitter
“We love because He first loved us.” -1 John 4:19
Because Jesus has done everything for me I can do everything for you without needing you to do anything for me. That’s freedom. -Tullian Tchividjian via Twitter
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” -2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Paul’s Last Words to this troubled Corinthian Church:
1) Rejoice!
-Paul has just spent most of his letter rebuking them and now tells them to rejoice. They should rejoice that someone loves them enough to rebuke them and help them get back on track!
-No matter what goes on in your life, because Jesus rose from the dead, no one can take your joy from you! (John 16:22)
-Joy is hooked into the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. If you lose sight that God is in control, you lose the hold on your joy. (Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:4)
2)Be perfect. Aim for restoration. Complete something that is incomplete. Put back in order that which is out of order.
Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:11-12
3)Be of good comfort. Comfort one another. Come alongside.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
4)Be of one mind. Believe the same truth.
Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4
5)Live in peace.
John 14:27, 16:33; Romans 8:6
Promise: When you are doing these things, the God of love and peace will be with you!
vs. 12-13- Paul desired the believers there to show genuine affection. Greet others affectionately…not sensually, but affectionately, genuinely showing the love of Christ to one another.
“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
vs. 14- The grace of Christ was displayed on the cross, came from the love of God, and once you experience that grace and love, you have fellowship with the Spirit!
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” -Zephaniah 3:17
What a word is this! Jehovah God in the center of His people in all the majesty of His power! This presence alone suffices to inspire us with peace and hope. Treasures of boundless might are stored in our Jehovah, and He dwells in His church; therefore may His people shout for joy.
We not only have His presence, but He is engaged upon His choice work of salvation. “He will save.” He is always saving: He takes His name of Jesus from it. Let us not fear any danger, for He is mighty to save.
Nor is this all. He abides evermore the same, He saves, He finds rest in loving, He will not cease to love. His love gives Him joy. He even finds a theme for song in His beloved. This is exceedingly wonderful. When God wrought creation He did not sing but simply said, “It is very good”; but when He came to redemption, then the sacred Trinity felt a joy to be expressed in song, Think of it, and be astonished! Jehovah Jesus sings a marriage song over His chosen bride. She is to Him His love, His joy, His rest, His song. O Lord Jesus, by Thine immeasurable love to us teach us to love Thee, to rejoice in Thee, and to sing unto Thee our life-psalm.
[from Faith's Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon, September 19 entry]
Morning Service | 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
“I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” -2 Corinthians 12:15
Paul’s purpose was to build up the believers in their walk with Christ. He gladly resolved to spend all he had and exhaust himself for their sake. He didn’t take. He constantly gave. The more he loved, the less he was loved, but he kept on loving and giving.
Evening Service | Deuteronomy 16:1-17
“and you shall remember…and you shall rejoice…and you shall rejoice…”
Three Feasts…
1)Passover: Never forget what the Lord has done for you. Remember what He has delivered you from.
2)Feast of Firstfruits: By giving of your firstfruits, you are living by faith, showing you are trusting God to bless you with more. It shows there is a greater harvest coming.
3)Feast of Booths: A feast of celebration and rejoicing at the end of the civil year calendar. Joy comes through obedience. Fight for your joy. (Deuteronomy 28:47-48)
Don’t gripe. Don’t complain. Look at how God has blessed you and at the promises He has given you.
“…God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:5
“Love is the overflow of joy in God that meets the needs of others.” -John Piper, via DesiringGod’s Twitter
“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.” -2 Corinthians 8:8
Giving is our greatest privilege. A heart of generosity seeks the good of others. (Example: Zacchaeus in Luke 19…when he trusted Christ, his heart became generous as he gave over 50%.)
Giving is initiated by God’s grace (vs. 1)
Though they were going through persecution and hard times, the Macedonian churches gave joyfully. (vs. 2)
You reap what you sow and you can’t outgive God. (ch. 9:6; Luke 6:38)
The Macedonian believers wanted to fellowship with the believers by serving and sharing. They begged Paul to take the gift (the grace…something that was undeserved and freely bestowed).
Key to Giving? Total commitment to Christ. (vs. 5) When you’re totally committed to Christ, everything else is totally committed to Him as well. (Romans 12:1-2)
Giving shows how much you love. If you love much, you will give much. We are called to fervently love one another…show love as many ways as you can. (vs. 8)
Christ loved us when we were unloveable. He loves us so much that He left His richness and became poor. We are co-inheritors of all He has because He gave all He had. If you love Him, you’ll love like He gives. (vs. 9)
