Despite the difficulties we face in life, God's unconditional love is constant and He makes His home within us, making our journey worthwhile.
Good morning, family! You know, I was thumbing through a book by Max Lucado last night, and he said something that just lit up my heart. He wrote: "God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile" (Max Lucado, God's Inspirational Promises). Isn't that something?
But let's turn now to our guiding Scripture for today. In John 14:23, Jesus says, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
Let's pray. Father, we thank You for Your Word that reminds us of Your unconditional love. We thank You that You have made Your home with us. Help us to welcome You, to live in Your love, and to fear no difficulties. Amen.
The sermon's first point, "God's House is Our Home," is a profound statement that encapsulates the intimate relationship God desires to have with us.
A. It's not just about visiting a physical location or a spiritual realm, but about God Himself dwelling within us. This concept is a radical departure from many religious traditions where the divine is seen as distant or separate from humanity. Instead, Christianity presents a God who is not just close, but who chooses to make His home within us.
This idea is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus. In John 14:23, Jesus says, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." This verse underscores the intimacy and closeness of our relationship with God. It's not a distant, detached deity we're dealing with, but a loving Father who wants to dwell within us.
B. The implications of God making His home in us are profound. It means that we are never alone. No matter what we're going through, no matter how difficult or painful our circumstances, God is with us. He's not just watching from a distance, but He's right there in the midst of our struggles, our joys, our sorrows, our victories. He's not a guest who comes and goes, but a permanent resident in our lives.
C. This also means that we are sacred spaces. If God's presence dwells within us, then we are holy ground. This is a powerful reminder of our worth and dignity. It doesn't matter what the world says about us, or even what we sometimes say about ourselves. If God has chosen to make His home in us, then we are of infinite value. We are not defined by our mistakes, our failures, or our past, but by God's love for us.
D. Furthermore, the idea of God's house being our home also speaks to our sense of belonging. We are not strangers or foreigners in God's kingdom. We are not guests or visitors. We are children of God, members of His household. This gives us a sense of security and stability. We know that we belong, that we are loved, that we are valued.
E. However, this is not a one-way relationship. Just as God makes His home in us, we are also called to make our home in Him. This means living in obedience to His teachings, as Jesus said in John 14:23. It means allowing His love to shape our lives, our decisions, our relationships. It means welcoming Him into every area of our lives, not just the parts we're comfortable with.
The concept of the Father's Love being unconditional is the idea that God's love for us is not based on our performance, our goodness, or our ability to keep His commands ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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