Jeremy Utley - Love, The Perfect Bond Of Unity

Jeremy UtleyApril 19, 201717mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Love, The Perfect Bond Of Unity Date: 04-16-2017 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The speaker argues that the pursuit of holiness is not merely about eliminating sin or strife, but must culminate in the fullness of love, which is described as the perfect bond of unity. True spiritual growth requires believers to actively increase and abound in love for one another, moving beyond just an 'elimination plan' to embody Christ's love. He concludes by contrasting judgment with mercy, emphasizing that compassion is the true mark of a godly life.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

A correction on unity and holinessThe speaker shares that his previous teaching on unity was incomplete because it focused only on the negative pursuit of eliminating strife rather than the fullness of love.

Love as the perfection of the bond of unityColossians 3:14 teaches that love is the perfection of the bond of unity, meaning believers must seek the fullness of love rather than just the absence of conflict.Colossians 3:14

Increasing in love to be established in holinessFirst Thessalonians 3:12-13 shows that a heart is established without blame in holiness only when the believer increases and abounds in love for one another.

The levels of our pursuit of holinessThe pursuit of holiness involves growing in purity, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, eliminating irritation, and ultimately growing in love for the body of Christ.

Without love, spiritual gifts and sacrifices profit nothingFirst Corinthians 13 emphasizes that even speaking in tongues, having profound faith, or making great sacrifices means nothing without love.

The danger of the sin-elimination trapFixating on personal purity and sin elimination can cause believers to become judgmental and look down on others who struggle differently.

I desire compassion and not sacrificeJesus rebuked the Pharisees in Matthew 9 and 12 by telling them to learn what 'I desire compassion and not sacrifice' means, correcting their judgmental attitudes.Matthew 9:11

Loyalty to the family of GodComparing Hosea 6:6 with Jesus' words on mercy reveals that God desires loyalty to His family, eagerly rushing to help fallen brothers and sisters rather than condemning them.

Following Jesus in mercy and compassionJesus was the most pure yet the most merciful and kind, modeling a willingness to cover others' sins and love them despite their faults.

Loving without condition as the mark of discipleshipJesus stated that the world will know believers are His disciples not just because they are free from sin, but because they love one another without condition.

Excelling still more in loveFirst Thessalonians 4:9-10 commends a loving church but urges them to excel still more, showing that believers must never settle for the same level of love year after year.1 Thessalonians 4:9–10

Practical ways to love through spiritual giftsFirst Peter 4:8-10 and other passages instruct believers to keep fervent in love by covering sins and diligently employing their spiritual gifts to serve and edify one another.

Putting on love as the capstoneColossians 3:12-14 calls believers to clothe themselves in compassion, kindness, humility, and forgiveness, placing love over all as the perfect bond of unity.Colossians 3:12–14

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Jeremy Utley - Love, The Perfect Bond Of Unity

Jeremy Utley · April 19, 2017 · 17m

Freedom from sin Following Jesus

Summary

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Without love, spiritual gifts and sacrifices profit nothingFirst Corinthians 13 emphasizes that even speaking in tongues, having profound faith, or making great sacrifices means nothing without love.

The danger of the sin-elimination trapFixating on personal purity and sin elimination can cause believers to become judgmental and look down on others who struggle differently.

Following Jesus in mercy and compassionJesus was the most pure yet the most merciful and kind, modeling a willingness to cover others' sins and love them despite their faults.

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Jeremy Utley - Love, The Perfect Bond Of Unity

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Jeremy Utley - Love, The Perfect Bond Of Unity

Summary

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