"Unselfish Love"

Last week I stopped somewhere along in here. Tonight I want to go back for just a few minutes and pick up on the subject of Obedience.

We we truly have an unselfish love, we will then be obedient in all things no matter what.

No matter what the circumstances, good or bad.

No matter the out look from human prospective, doom & gloom or

Sunshine all the way.

In sickness and in health,

When friends cannot be numbered and when all have forsaken.

The Word;

c. honor it.

d. love it.

e. obey it. I Samuel 15:22-23

1 Sam 15:22-23 (KJV)22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

The Spirit Of The Lord; (The Holy Ghost)

Honor Him

Love Him 5

Obey Him; (He will show us, teach us the ways of God.)

John 14:26 (KJV)

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2. The Church Hebrews 10:25 "not forsaking"

We are commanded by the Lord to attend Church, to attach ourselves

To a local church body.

Heb 10: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

And why is it so important that we attend church and that we be attached to a local body of believers? The answer is found verse 24;

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Unselfish love produces unselfish actions, unselfish commitment,

Unselfish labor, etc;

3. Prayer

4. Witnessing

5. Discernment

C. MOTIVATION -- (Our Love for God should be all of the motivation

that we need to render faithful service unto Him.)

Christians are not motivated by Money, Selfish Gain,

Fame, Popularity,

Friends or Family,

Our main motivation for rendering faithful service comes from

Our love for God and our love for His People and the compassion we feel in our hearts for those not connected to the family of God.

This why Jesus Questioned Peter to the degree He did over the Love Peter had in his heart towards Christ;

This was after the resurrection and just before the ascension of Christ;

John 21:15-17 (KJV)

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jesus was looking for Peter to respond with the Greek Word Agape.

Agape -- Unconditional, unselfish, unfailing love.

Peter never did use this word.

{A} Jesus said ;”Peter, if you love me feed my sheep.”

1. For God’s glory and honor we must love Him at all times, serve

His kingdom at all times.

2. Satan is working over time trying with all of his might to displace

God’s Children, God’s Commanders, God’s Generals, God’s

Ministers, God’s Lay people, God’s Evangelist,

[B] The point that Jesus is trying to drive home to Peter;

(1) I need you to love me so much that no matter what comes your

Way, no matter who opposes you, who hurts you,

Who turns against you, who threatens you,

You will not think of TURNING BACK.

[C] Jesus wanted Peter to take a good long hard look at the Love

He had in his heart for Christ and the Kingdom Work.

[D] You see Peter had already failed Christ and forsaken one time,

Because he feared for his life.

Matt 26:33-35 (KJV)

33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.