8/20/2023 morning worship service

Pastor Anthony Fields

" "Listen, I Love You"

MALACHI 1: 2-5


The love of God is so vast that in our best efforts we can only see the surface of it. It is higher than the highest mountain, deeper than the deepest sea and wider than the clearest sky. It is more profound than the highest thoughts of the most intelligent people on earth. Yet, what we can see of it, we must seek to see fully.

Ephesians 3:17-19 reads..."that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Contrast reading Malachi 1:2-5. God was speaking to a people who had drifted far from their first love—their love for God. They neglected His Word, His House and His ways. Yet, we hear God calling to them in love.

I God's Love - Is Emotional

It is Familiar It is Felt

II. God's Love is Irrational

It is Undeserved Undesired

"It is God's love for us, not ours for Him that is important." You can only be saved because He loves you and gave His Son on the cross for you.

II. God's Love is Processional

God's love flows like a mighty river in a great procession..

Sometimes His love is backward

Visual - Outward

His love is always Forward Looking (Prophetical)

Time and time again He tried to get His message of love through to His human creation with little response. But God did more than say that He loved us in a letter
or a book, He sent His Son into this world to die for us.

He wrapped up His message in a person. That person is Jesus!


Have you loved Him in return?"

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"THINK ON THIS: GOD'S LOVE FOR US

When you think of love, what is the first thing that pops into your head? Is it a
sweet romance, family relationships, or the way you and your best friend always
have each other's backs?

Do you realize that God is a loving God? How do you see His love in your life?

Take a few minutes and list at least three ways He shows you love.

God has shown His love toward humanity since creation. Even after sin entered the world, God promised His love to every generation . He promised never to leave us and that He would help us."

_____________________

"WHAT DISTRACTS YOU?

Hosea 9

Over several generations the nation of Israel managed to fall from God's favor
into God's wrath. At Mount Sinai, they promised God that they would do everything He asked and would follow His commandments (Exodus 19:5-8). But during their travels Israelite men became distracted by the Moabite women.

Are we that much diferent diferent from those Israelites?

• Is there someone you frequently think of when reading your Bible or devotional or hearing a sermon? Is it possible that you struggle with similar weaknesses?


• Jesus offers freedom from all sin. We only need to acknowledge, tum from, and ask forgiveness for it. Are you running from something in the mirror?

• What's one area of your life where you need God's strength to overcome your sin?"