Twisted: Love and Lust - 1 John 3:16-20

If there is one amazing gift that God has given us, it is love. But, not the idea of love that we have become so accustomed to. God's love is more than just romantic feelings or a strong desire or the devotion of Romeo and Juliet. God's love is sacrifice, it thinks of others before self in many ways it is contrary to what we know as love. Of course God's greatest gift is the adversary's greatest weapon.

• Love means Sacrifice
• v16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers
  
• Real Love is Physical
• v18 - Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
  
• Real Love is not Risky - It Removes Risk
• v20 - For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything
  

Fill 'er Up: The Solution - John 4:1-26

So, we've identified that we need to be filled only with Jesus and started to look at what it is that keeps each of us from being filled. Now, how do we bring all of this together? How do we keep from becoming like the Jerusalem crowds who welcomed Jesus into the city with palm branches and singing, then shouted for his crucifixion just a few days later? In order for this to happen, we have to take a good, solid look at ourselves and make some changes.

• Stop the Routine
  
• v9 "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan Woman"
  
• Yield to God's Way
• v19 ""I can see that you are a prophet"
  
• Go - Worship & Tell - v20 & 39
• v20 "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain..."
• v39 "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony.
  

Fill 'er Up: The Problem - John 4:1-26

Americans are switching religions and churches at record rates. We are used to being given choices in everything in life, why should church be any different? The only time we don't keep choosing is when we've found something that works. So, what is the church's purpose? What is it meant to do? The answer can be found in the interaction Jesus has with a Samaritan woman he meets at a well. Here we find what the church is supposed to do and what keeps us individually from achieving that goal.

God's Goals: Mercy - Matthew 18:21-35

We all know we’re supposed to forgive, but why? And how much? And who? When Peter comes to Jesus with these questions, he responds with what can seem like a simple answer and with a parable. Together these answer the questions and show us that mercy is an attitude, not an account.

• An Attitude - v21-22
• We Give - v23-27
• We Receive - v28-31
• An Ultimatum - v32-35
  

Life on Loan: Renew Your Love - Revelation 2:2-5

You work hard. You do the right things and say the right things. You persevere despite the opposition, but why? Because it’s the right thing to do? Because God said so? They are good reasons, but not the right reason. Love must be our motivation, our guide and our sustenance. BUT, what happens when we don’t feel that love? We felt it before, but it seems to be gone now. We often try to find something else (some new teacher or group or program or book) to bring that excitement back. God doesn’t say to find something new. He says to go back to basics.

• You're Doing well... - v2
  BUT
  
• You've forsaken your first love. v4
• Tongues - Love = Noise (1 Cor 13:1)
• Knowledge + Power - Love = Nothing (1 Cor 13:2)
• Good Deeds + Sacrifice - Love = Nothing (1 Cor 13:3)
SO

• Renew Your Love - v5
  
• Remember the height from which you have fallen
• Repent
• Re-Do the things you did at first
  

Facing An End - 1 Peter 4:7-11

We all face ends in our lives. There are times when certain parts of our life come to an end - things will never be the way they were before. These can be good times, like a graduation or a birth. They can also be hard times, like the dissolution of a relationship or a death. How do we react to these situations? How do we respond to changes? Peter writes about facing big changes in 1 Peter 4:7-11.

When facing an End, Peter says we should:

• Be Clear-Minded and Self-Controlled
  7b - Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
  
• Be Loving
  8 - Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
  
• Be Hospitable
  9 - Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Use God's Words and God's Strength to do all these things to praise Him.

Militant Christians - 1 Peter 4:1-5

What is the biggest problem facing the world today? Many would say it's the proliferation of Militant Islam. That is a problem, but really its just a symptom of a deeper issue. The real struggle that the world faces is the death of Militant Christianity. Christians have become scared to act on what they believe in, choosing to whine and complain about what is wrong instead of working and fighting to bring about good. 1 Peter 4 verses 1 through 5 gives instructions for living as a Militant Christian

• Armed with Christ's Attitude
  v1 - Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
  
• Awaiting God's Orders
  v2 - As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
  
• Aware of the Past but Focused on the Future
  v3, 4 - For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - living in debauchery, lust drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
  
• At War!
  v5 - But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.