December 07th, 2022

THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS

Sermon by: Harrison Chokka
Summarized by: Christianne Visscher

In the first part of our Overflow series we learned about living without a "lack" mindset and letting God be our Shepard and guide us in our life, which leads us to a life overflowing. In part two we delve into the why. This Overflow series is about posturing ourselves in giving so we can posture our hearts in trust, to say "God I'm ready for whatever is next."

Pastor Harrison stated it simply "If I follow Jesus my life will begin to overflow."  We hear that promise of His goodness and mercy and it sounds great but not a lot of us experience it or will do what it takes to experience it. Following Jesus is taking the big step of faith; maybe for you thats attending church, starting to give for the first time or joining a serve team. At first it feels good and we see the fruits of it but following Jesus is one big leap after another. Often when God calls us to the next thing we often bail. To follow Jesus though isn't linear or even easy.  We as a church truly believe God has more for your life! In order for Him to do what He wants we  just have to follow Him. 

So what does it actually tangibly look like to follow Jesus?  This week takes us into the book of 1 John. The over arching theme of 1 John is that it's important to believe and know what's true; how we believe effects how we live.  Your life will overflow if you can just begin to do one thing and that's love. To follow Jesus is to love and true love is this:

1 John 3:16
​This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 

To love is to be like Jesus. Love written in the bible was written in the greek word Agape which means to give. To give of ourselves. To love is to give. The cross where Jesus died is the ultimate display of Jesus giving to us. This is how we know what self giving love is.  

The cross is the perfect intersection of God's love and holiness. God came down in the flesh and took the sins of the world. He died for us and took what we deserved. He paid the price. Jesus first loved us. If to love is to give we must understand why we give. We give because Jesus first gave His life for us. The cross is all that matters. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians, everything I do revolves around the cross of Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 2:1-2
When I came to you, Brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

 To live a life of overflow is to believe that Jesus laid down His life for us so that we can lay down our lives for others.  Our Belief effects our behaviour. Right belief leads to right behaviour. That means the tangible proof that God's love exists in your heart is your willingness to lay down your life for others. As followers of Jesus, generosity and giving isn't a seasonal posture. It's not once a week thing. It's a posture of your life to say "I give because Jesus first gave to me. "  The life of overflow isn't easy, as great as the promise is. People are innately selfish, to live a life truly generous and selfless happens only by the Holy Spirit. We invite the Holy Spirit into our lives when we understand the cross. Love is laying down my life for others. 

1 John 3: 17-18 
​ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

It looks like meeting the needs of others. As followers of Jesus we give for two reasons. 
1. Devotion 
2. Obedience 

2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

It can be easy to buy in the lie that says I don't have enough. Or I'll give it when I got it. The truth is if you don't give when you don't have it, you won't give when you get it. Those who give sparingly, reap sparingly. As stated before if our belief effects our behaviour then right belief leads to right action. If you believe in Jesus, your heart posture will be to give.  

This series is one of Generosity and Faith. To stretch and grow our faith in God so we can ultimately live a life of constant generosity for others. At Kingdom, we end the year in offering because it's a moment to ask "God what are you calling me to give?" It begins to break the shackles of greed. Your generosity is a good barometer for your obedience to Jesus. If you're obedient in this area it begins to go into other areas of your life. Then day by day, step by step because of your obedience you begin to live in the overflow. 

You would think if your life is overflowing that means you're getting more. But really it's about giving more. Give your time, your skills, your resources, your love.  The purpose ins't just to alleviate poverty or help others but also to bring hope and healing. 

1John 3:19-20
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Has your soul been at rest? Have you been living a life of giving? 

Acts 20:35
 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

The hope is that Jesus already paid the price. Remember the sacrifice of Jesus and all that He's done. As humans we get into our hearts, head ad feelings. You may feel like you don't have enough, you're not enough or will never be enough but that's all lies. Proclaim His kingdom, truth and goodness. 
Jesus laid down His life for us. This is what love is. What can you lay down to love others well? 

​Thank you for being here! If this message resonates with you and you want to see more, here’s our YouTube channel where we post live sermons every Sunday. 
 
Listen to the sermon podcast on Spotify here.
 
Join us IN PERSON every Sunday at 175 Carleton Dr #170, St. Albert, AB
Doors Open at 9:30 a.m.
Service starts at 10 a.m.