The Imperative of Love
THE IMPERATIVE OF LOVE
Join your Calvary Chapel family tomorrow (Sunday, 6/1, 10:00 a.m.) in the main sanctuary or on our website (www.calvaryinv.com
), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness) as we continue our series in the book of 1 John (2:7-11).
John was an elderly man. He has avoided the martyrdom of his fellow disciples. He has survived exile in the brutal labor camp on the Island of Patmos. He was tired, but the fire still burned deep within him. He still loved the Lord and the people he had been called to serve. Although his body is frail, he knew that he still had something to offer.
The Holy Spirit inspired John to write to the church that had strayed from its path. The problem wasn’t their misunderstanding of doctrine, nor was it a lack of effective ministries. They recognized those who were authentic followers of Christ and those who weren’t, and when they identified the false teachers, they showed them the door.
However, there was a problem that, if not addressed, would ultimately lead to the death of the church. Not physical death, but a spiritual one. The church would continue and might even grow in numbers, but would have absolutely no impact on the people attending or the culture surrounding them.
Therefore, John wrote to the church to urge them to get back on the right track. And what was that track? One that would ignite the fire of God’s presence and power, burning away the dross and continually refining their character to look, sound, think, and act like Christ.
John wrote to make the church aware that they would know when they were where they were meant to be because of one dominating characteristic: the presence of the Holy Spirit among them.
He emphasized that this awareness wasn’t related to healings, miracles, or the deliverance of people from demons. It had no connection to the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, discernment, tongues, or interpretation of tongues.
The primary indication that the church was growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus was that they loved one another—a love not inscribed on a plaque to hang in the church building, but one that was etched in their hearts.
May our church family understand that the same purpose God had for the early church still applies today. May our love for Him, His Word, each other, and our desire to serve continue to grow until His return.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
Join your Calvary Chapel family tomorrow (Sunday, 6/1, 10:00 a.m.) in the main sanctuary or on our website (www.calvaryinv.com
John was an elderly man. He has avoided the martyrdom of his fellow disciples. He has survived exile in the brutal labor camp on the Island of Patmos. He was tired, but the fire still burned deep within him. He still loved the Lord and the people he had been called to serve. Although his body is frail, he knew that he still had something to offer.
The Holy Spirit inspired John to write to the church that had strayed from its path. The problem wasn’t their misunderstanding of doctrine, nor was it a lack of effective ministries. They recognized those who were authentic followers of Christ and those who weren’t, and when they identified the false teachers, they showed them the door.
However, there was a problem that, if not addressed, would ultimately lead to the death of the church. Not physical death, but a spiritual one. The church would continue and might even grow in numbers, but would have absolutely no impact on the people attending or the culture surrounding them.
Therefore, John wrote to the church to urge them to get back on the right track. And what was that track? One that would ignite the fire of God’s presence and power, burning away the dross and continually refining their character to look, sound, think, and act like Christ.
John wrote to make the church aware that they would know when they were where they were meant to be because of one dominating characteristic: the presence of the Holy Spirit among them.
He emphasized that this awareness wasn’t related to healings, miracles, or the deliverance of people from demons. It had no connection to the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, discernment, tongues, or interpretation of tongues.
The primary indication that the church was growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus was that they loved one another—a love not inscribed on a plaque to hang in the church building, but one that was etched in their hearts.
May our church family understand that the same purpose God had for the early church still applies today. May our love for Him, His Word, each other, and our desire to serve continue to grow until His return.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
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