Compelled By Love

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Compelled by Love

Pastor Jerry C. Vargo

I. Introduction.

Opening Comments

What compels you?

What is the driving force behind all that you do?

Can you identify your motives?

Why do you do what you do?

Is it love or duty?

Answer: If any thing other than love and gratitude motivates you, all that you are doing is in vain!

To walk in the perfect will of God, we must be motivated by love and gratitude for what God has done for us!

Pray...

Ask God to reveal false motives.

Ask God to show us why we do what we do.

Ask Him to purify our hearts so that all we do is motivated by love.

Ask for forgiveness for doing anything with the wrong motives.

Text: Acts 20:22-24

Background Information

Paul had spent 3 years in Ephesus teaching and building up the church. He left and spent the winter in Corinth and is now on his way to Jerusalem. He sends for the elders of the church and he proceeds to give them his last words and he tells them that he will never see them again.

The Apostle Paul since he was forgiven much...loved much!

This is true for all of us who have been made clean by the Blood of Jesus.

And though God is still purifying me and my motives, I am confident when I say that MOST of the time I am motivated to do what I do because of love!

II. Body.

A. I see at least 5 things that compelled Paul to do in love.

B. I want to challenge you that these 5 things should compel you and I also.

1. Compelled by love to obey the Holy Spirit passionately!

"Behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem."

A. After all that Paul had been through in His walk with Jesus, he came to this understanding...

„« I have no choice but to obey!

„« I am under obligation!

„« I can’t do anything else!

„« Bound = A strong sense of responsibility!

B. This is the understanding that all of us need.

C. The Holy Spirit will speak to us more and more as we obey passionately.

D. I was "compelled by love" to marry my wife.

E. Listen to Colossians 3:23:

¡§Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.¡¨

Application

What has God called you to do?

Are you passionate about your obedience?

Is your obedience done out of religious duty?

F. Paul knew that he had to obey. What other choice is there?

G. If God is God...what else can we do?

H. The bottom line: Obey the Holy Spirit passionately. Let your love and gratitude compel you to obey!

2. Compelled by love to walk by faith trusting in God!

¡§Not knowing what will happen to me there."

A. Paul had no idea what would happen to him as he traveled to Jerusalem.

B. How true is this for every one of us? We have no idea what will happen to us as we step out in faith in this life.

C. But if we truly love God and we trust Him...we will be compelled to trust Him in every decision.

D. Our faith and trust must be in God. I heard the story of a...

Illustration

When I think of having faith that trusts God I think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. What incredible trust and faith in God. Tell the story. They even said: "God can deliver us, but if He doesn’t, we will not bow down."

E. We need to look for things to do that are so awesome, that they are doomed to failure unless God intervenes.

3. Compelled by love to NOT let circumstance rule my life!

"But none of these things move me."

A. I love the old hymn:

"Do you have any rivers you think are uncrossable? Do you have any mountains you can’t tunnel through? God specializes in things thought impossible. He does the things others cannot do!

B. What is the answer to NOT let circumstances rule my life? How do I do that? Look at Philippians 4:11-13...

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."