The words "perfect" and "love" are used several times in this passage. John seems to say that God desires to perfect our love for Him and others by what His perfect love does...
"We live in a time when many people claim to know the truth. Their faith is real, but in what (or whom) is their faith placed? John wrote about the most essential doctrine...
The definition of love comes from many different sources. But, the one definition of love that completely altered the course of human history is this "By this we know love, that...
This passage has so much in it, but variations of the word, "appear" shows up several times. What was John trying to highlight? He is talking to professing believers, and...
There are endless distractions that can drag our attention away from what’s most important in our lives. John lays out a dual pronged approach to be applied to our souls so we...
"To love one another" is God's command for his people since the beginning of time. By living it out, Jesus demonstrated what loving one another fully looks like. And when the...
As dads, we want to do everything to protect and ensure that our kids are growing physically and spiritually. Unfortunately we fail in this endeavor all the time. Thankfully...
A caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Leaf buds protrude out from a dormant tree branch. There is anticipation when something is made manifest that offers hope to brokenness....
As we wrap up this sermon series that challenges us to thrive and live by faith, the question may be, "So, how does this apply to me?" For some of you, the real question in...
In times of evil and injustice, the church must inquire of the Lord to see what he sees and to respond in his righteous ways. A faith that inquires will herald God's justice,...
If you could bring one thing with you, you'd be sure it be the absolute best it could be. When it comes to what will happen after we die, all we bring is our character. While we...
Imagine that an angel showed up to you, a young unmarried woman, and said, "You are going to have a baby...and you need to name him Jesus." How would you respond? Mary was a...
There is a difference between a faith that knows about God and a faith that knows God. When we fully know the voice of the Lord, God will establish us as his messengers of hope...
Gideon was found by the angel of the Lord in the bottom of a winepress...threshing wheat. This made no sense. The process of beating out grain and separating it from the chaff...
We use our voices to declare our faith in God and to proclaim our faith in him. But, what happens when such a faith is missing the component of waiting on the Lord and listening...
In a time when the whole world is trying to avoid dying...we look back at a man who lived His whole life with the goal of dying. But thank God, that Man's grave is now empty! ...
What's exciting about thriving in faith is knowing that who we perceive ourselves to be is not how God views us or his plan for us. Who we can become materializes when we have...
None of us like to operate when things are unknown. We need to have as much data and evidence to make the best decisions for our lives. Yet, many times, God calls us to move...
Often times when we think of our faith heroes, we think of those that accomplished so much for God's Kingdom. So Samson might be one of the last people we'd think of to be...
What can faith do in the presence of God? Faith brings into bloom what is hidden. Faith unleashes in power what is covered. Faith in God takes what is protected and changes...
By faith we offer our lives to God that honors him as Lord over all. But, when our offerings come from a place of ease, then we demonstrate a lack of faith that does not glorify...
It's completely natural to rely on observations and experiences to guide us. But what happens when we need more than what we can observe and experience to lead us? We can choose...
The word, "crisis," is often viewed negatively. At least, most of us do not look forward every morning to jump into a crisis! But if we are promised that God's intention is...
What is the relationship between faith and trust? Some people think these words are synonymous. However, the reality is that we will NOT live by faith in God if we don't fully...
One of the greatest tragedies in life is when a person brimming with potential and with available resources doesn't see the opportunities that are before him or her... or worse,...
In as much as Jesus commands us to make disciples, it’s his presence with us always that enhances this transformation. Jesus invites us into his mission to make disciples who...