Category Archives: Scripture

Love Is Our Mission: When “Go” Means “Stay”

I recently began writing a series on the missional nature of the church entitled, “Love is Our Mission.” We noted that God has a mission, a mission that was accomplished through sending Jesus into the world (John 3:16). And we … Continue reading

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Love Is Our Mission: Textual Underpinnings

Some of the most familiar passages in our Bibles tell the story of our Missionary God. John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have … Continue reading

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Love First: Compelled

On October 25, 2013, British explorer Ben Saunders and his fellow adventurer Tarka L’Herpiniere set out to retrace one of the most ambitious and dangerous polar expeditions of all time. In 1912, British explorer Robert Falcon Scott attempted to journey … Continue reading

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Fearless Love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of … Continue reading

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The Scandal of Foolish Love

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. — 1 Cor. 1:17 With these words, Paul gets at … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Quotes, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Nothing

In God’s Story, I’ve been mulling over this extraordinary Truth: it says nothing can separate us from the love He expresses to us in Jesus.  I think it’s time for the people of God to start living like it.  Each day … Continue reading

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Love Never Fails

1 Corinthians 13 is a text that I’ve read at nearly every wedding over which I’ve presided. That’s great; these are certainly fitting words for such an occasion. But there’s a flip side to such familiarity. If we come to … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians 13, Devotional, Eschatology, Faith, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Marriage, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Love First: Action

This year, our church theme is “Love First.” Not only is this statement a strong word in favor of obedience and missional living, it is also a word of action. This calls to mind Mother Teresa’s famous quote: “Faith in … Continue reading

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Love First: Missional

What does God desire of us? What does He want from His people? In Scripture, we see that our God is a God of mission. He is a missionary God, sending His own Son into the world for our sake. … Continue reading

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Love First: Obedience

To put love first is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength while also striving to love your neighbor as yourself. This means that Love First is a word about obedience. Obedience is definitely not a … Continue reading

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