love

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This Sunday, we will be delving into Matthew 7:7-12. As a father of 3, I am more and more amazed that God has made us his children. Children have an incredible amount of needs. Cars, College Tuition, Diapers, Food… I often find myself overwhelmed by the needs of my children, but I love getting to take care of them, provide for them, love them well. Likewise, Jesus teaches us to ask God for what we need, and to recognize that God is not too preoccupied with other things in life or the world to be concerned with my depression, financial situation, medical problems or anything else. As we prepare for Sunday, take some time to evaluate your prayer life. Are you only talking to God about big things? Or are you giving God everything you’ve got. Let him shape you into maturity.

Liturgy for Corporate Worship:

1 John 2:28-3:3

Good Good Father by Shane & Shane

Ephesians 2:12-16

His Mercy Is More by Matt Papa

O Fount Of Love by Matt Boswell

O Praise The Name (Anastasis) by Shane & Shane

Psalm 96

Oh! Great Is Our God! by The Sing Team

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Photo by Max Goncharov on Unsplash

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Our natural inclination is self-preservation and self-defense, but the Gospel calls us to something different: love for those who hate us. We reinforce in our hearts and minds the self-centered-ness through mental shadow boxing, always reminding ourselves that we are right and important and that others are not. However, the Bible challenges this notion and calls us to love others.

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:17–18 ESV)

On Sunday, we will explore the call of the Gospel to love others as Christ has loved us, and to fight the heart battle against hatred.

Liturgy for Corporate Worship:

Psalm 119:33-40

Be Thou My Vision – Citizens & Saints

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-21

His Mercy Is More

And Can It Be – Aaron Keyes

Because He Lives (Amen) – Matt Maher

Psalm 145:1-7

Oh! Great Is Our God! – The Sing Team

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Photo by Joshua Jordan on Unsplash