Message for December 13, 2020 from Pastor Jerry

“Love has been perfected among us in this:  that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:17-18

     I want to begin this by asking each one of us, “Why do you serve God?”  It may seem surprising but there would be many different answers to that question given.  I don’t want to go to hell.  I’m afraid of God and something bad might happen.  I was told that I should serve Him or else.  I serve Him to get the “blessings” He promised.  I serve Him because He loves me.  I serve Him because I love Him.  Are any of these reasons better than the rest?

     It is my belief that the best two reasons for serving God is that He loves me and I love Him.  Though any of the reasons given have an element of truth in them all of them except the two concerning love are compromised to start with.  They are only as strong as human ability takes them.  What is the greatest power God has?  Of all the mighty powers and abilities God possesses it may be hard to realize His greatest power is LOVE.

     All of the great things God has done for mankind were done by His love for us.  Jesus wasn’t born into the human race because of sin of any kind.  God gave Him, not because of sin, but because He loves us.  Everything we receive from God is through the power of love.

     Today we will look at the connection of love, praise, and fear.  Hopefully we will come away knowing the place each has in our life.