Jeremy Utley - Do You HAVE God's Love For The Body?

Jeremy UtleyDecember 5, 201611mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Do You HAVE God's Love For The Body? Date: 12-04-2016 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 encourages the audience to live as visible lights in a dark world by refusing to grumble or dispute, recognizing that God is watching our conduct. He emphasizes that true Christian effort requires more than just personal diligence; it necessitates asking God to work in our will and desire, as promised in the New Covenant. Ultimately, the message calls for actively praying for God to stir our hearts and give us the desire to do His will.

Outline

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

Reflecting on Philippians chapter 2The speaker shares two brief thoughts from the passage in Philippians, starting with verse 14 about doing things without grumbling.

What does it mean to appear as lights?While grumbling creates darkness, refusing to complain makes believers stand out like a flashlight in a dark world.

God as the primary audienceGod looks down at the earth and sees those who choose not to grumble as twinkling stars or constellations in the night sky.

Conduct as a testimony to GodFirst and foremost, a quiet and thankful conduct is an offering of worship directly to God, giving him an inheritance of bright stars amidst a corrupt generation.

God is at work in youPhilippians 2:13 reminds us of the New Covenant promise where God puts His laws on our minds and writes them on our hearts.

Asking boldly for transformed desiresRather than waiting passively, believers should pray boldly for God to provide the desire and strength to do what pleases Him.

God is in the business of stirring heartsJust as the Lord stirred the spirit of Cyrus and the exiles in Ezra, He is the one who stirs our hearts to action.Ezra 1:1–5

Moving past human-driven effort aloneWhile there is much required of us, we must not rely solely on our own strength; we must ask God to do what only He can do.

Turning water into wine and the work of surrenderLike the servants filling the waterpots or the boy with the loaves and fish, our obedience is necessary, but only Jesus can transform it to bless others.

How will all men know you are my disciples?Jesus states in John 13 that people will know His disciples if they have love for one another.

Is love a possession or just an action?The wording 'have love' points to a possession rather than merely manufacturing loving actions through our own energy.

Have you received it from God?Since what we have is received, we must examine our hearts and ask God to give us genuine love for our brothers and sisters.

You cannot give what you do not haveBefore we can extend God's love to others, we must experience the love of God poured into our own hearts today.

Never running dry by asking GodBy continually asking God to stir our hearts, give us a desire to do His will, and supply His love for others, we ensure we will never run dry.

Related messages

Back to the catalog

NCCF Church

Jeremy Utley - Do You HAVE God's Love For The Body?

Jeremy Utley · December 5, 2016 · 11m

Prayer Following Jesus