SundaySermon
Getting To Know The Truth
by Ptr. Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: John 8:31-32

Preface
HUMAN LOVE VERSUS GOD'S LOVE

TODAY, WE WITNESS FAILURES IN RELATIONSHIPS ALL OVER THE WORLD. FAMILIES DIVIDED, GOVERNMENT SPLITS AND TAKE-OVERS, COUNTRIES AT ODDS EVEN AT WAR.

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ALL THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE THE WORLD TENDS TO OFFER HUMAN LOVE IN OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ' AND ONLY GOD'S LOVE THAT PRODUCES THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH ARE: JOY, PEACE GOODNESS KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, PATIENCE, SELF CONTROL AND FAITHFULNESS.

ANYONE OF THESE QUALITIES IS WORTH MORE THAN ANY PRICE WE COULD EVER PAY. CAN YOU IMAGINE ANY TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP BREAKING DOWN IF IT TRULY HAS THESE QUALITIES PRESENT '

IN THE WORLD TODAY, MUCH EFFORT IS EXPENDED BY MANY TO PRODUCE AND SHOW HUMAN LOVE, YET WITHOUT GOD'S TYPE OF LOVE RELATIONSHIPS STILL BREAK DOWN.

WHAT ARE WE LEFT WITH ' INDIFFERENCE, QUARRELS, DIVORCE, CRIME AND ON A NATIONAL SCALE, BAD FOREIGN RELATIONS, WARS AND TERRORISM.

LISTEN VERY CLOSELY, ONLY GOD'S LOVE WORKS EFFECTIVELY IN THIS LIFE. I BELIEVE THE REASON WHY HUMANITY GIVES AND RECEIVES HUMAN LOVE IS BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER RECEIVED GOD'S LOVE COMPLETELY. AND WE CANNOT GIVE WHAT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED.

ITS VITAL THAT WE RECEIVE IN FULLNESS GOD'S LOVE SO THAT WE CAN LOVE HIM BACK AND ALSO LOVE EVERYONE THAT HE LOVES.

IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, THE FACT THAT GOD GIVES YOU HIS LOVE IS NOT NEW TO YOU. WHAT MAY BE NEW IS THAT YOU HAVE GOT TO ACCEPT THAT LOVE OR IT WILL NOT BECOME YOURS. LET ME SHOW YOU AN EXAMPLE: SOMEONE WANTS TO GIVE YOU A BEAUTIFUL GOLD WATCH. THEY HOLD IT OUT IN FRONT OF YOU, YOU SEE IT AND THEY MAY EVEN TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE WATCH AND YOU MAY EVEN TOUCH IT, BUT UNTIL YOU TAKE IT IN YOUR HANDS AND PUT IT ON ITS NOT YOURS YET. BEFORE IT BECOMES YOURS, YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT IT, PUT IT ON AND USE IT TO TELL TIME. DO YOU UNDERSTAND'

THAT IS THE SAME WITH EVERY GIFTS THAT IS GIVEN TO YOU. THAT SAME PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO GOD'S LOVE.
THE ESSENCE OF SALVATION IS RECEIVING GOD'S FORGIVENESS WHICH IS ONLY A PART OF HIS LOVE.

ALL CHRISTIANS BEGIN BY RECEIVING HIS LOVING FORGIVENESS, BUT TO KEEP GROWING IN GOD WE MUST CONTINUE RECEIVING HIS FORGIVENESS BECAUSE AS HUMANS WE CONTINUE TO SIN. ANYONE HERE THAT HAS NOT SINNED SINCE YOU GOT SAVED '

WHEN WE RECEIVE HIS LOVE, WE RECEIVE HIM AND REMEMBER HE IS LOVE. NOW LETS TURN TO 1 JOHN 4:8-21 ----

1 John 4:8-21 (Amplified Bible)

8He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.
9In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or [a]unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him.
10In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.
11Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another.

12No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us!
13By this we come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us: because He has given (imparted) to us of His [Holy] Spirit.
14And [besides] we ourselves have seen (have deliberately and steadfastly contemplated) and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son [as the] Savior of the world.
15Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God.
16And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
17In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.
18There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love [b]turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear [c]brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
19We love Him, because He first loved us.
20If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [[d]in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen.
21And this command (charge, order, injunction) we have from Him: that he who loves God shall love his brother [[e]believer] also.

LET'S LOOK AT THIS SCRIPTURE AS IT APPLIES TO OUR TOPIC TODAY.

V. 8 WE SEE THAT GOD IS LOVE.
V. 9 WE SEE THAT JESUS CAME THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM.
V.10 WE SEE THAT GOD GAVE HIS BEST TO OFFSET OUR SINS.
V.11 WE SEE THAT WHEN WE RECEIVE HIS LOVE WE ARE TO PASS IT ON TO OTHERS.
V.12 LOVING ONE ANOTHER PERFECTS HIS LOVE IN US.
V.13 IN HIS SPIRIT ARE HIS FRUIT.
V.14 GIVES US JOHN'S PERSONAL TESTIMONY.
V.15 IN SALVATION GOD LIVE IN YOU AND YOU IN HIM
V.16 WE HAVE RECEIVED GOD'S LOVE AND IT NOW LIVES IN YOU.
V.17 NOW IN THIS LIFE, WE ARE TO HAVE CHRIST''S CHARACTER.

V.18 HIS LOVE CLEANSES YOU. THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH IS FEAR. NOW FAITH CAN REALLY WORK.
V.19 WE CANNOT LOVE HIM UNTIL WE FIRST RECEIVE HIS LOVE.
V.20 THAT FACT THAT YOU REALLY LOVE GOD IS MANIFESTED IN YOUR LOVE FOR OTHERS.
V.21 WE HAVE GOD'S COMMAND TO LOVE OUR BROTHER IF WE LOVE HIM.

ALL RELATIONSHIPS MUST START WITH HUMILITY. WE ARE CALLED THE BRIDE OF THE LAMB, AND GOD GIVE US A PHYSICAL EXAMPLE IN MARRIAGE. IN THIS LIFE, MARRIAGE IS NEVER CONSUMMATED UNLESS THE BRIDE RECEIVES THE PHYSICAL LOVE OF HER HUSBAND. IN TRUSTING HUMILITY, SHE RECEIVES HIM AND THEY COME INTO UNION WITH EACH OTHER.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT JESUS WANTS FOR US.. WE, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, ARE TO COME INTO UNION WITH HIM AS HE IS IN UNION WITH THE FATHER. (JOHN 17:21) THIS OF COURSE IS A SPIRITUAL UNION BUT THE PRINCIPLE IS THE SAME. UNION BE IT PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUAL, MUST BEGIN WITH HUMILITY.

SAY WITH ME, 'THE EGO MUST GO'. GOD DOES NOT WANT ROBOTS TO LOVE HIM, SO THIS UNION WITH HIM BEGINS IN YOUR HEART. WE NEED TO BECOME HUMBLE IN OUR HEARTS AND START TRUSTING HIM MORE. IF YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE PART OF IN YOUR SALVATION YOU WOULD RUN TO HIM WITH OPEN ARMS WITH GREAT HUMILITY AND SAY LORD, I REALLY WANT THIS UNION!!

NOW WE WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT SALVATION REALLY IS. GO BACK TO PAGE 1 OF THE SERMON

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Sermon Proper

Title: GETTING TO KNOW THE TRUTH

John 8:31-32 (Amplified Bible)

31So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
32And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

WE HAVE BEEN MINISTERING WHAT I BELIEVE GOD WANTS THIS CHURCH TO BE KNOWN AS. WE SAID THAT HE WANTS TO MAKE US A CHURCH THAT KNOWS HOW TO PRAY AND ONE THAT KNOWS HOW TO LOVE. WE HAVE COVERED IN DETAIL PRAYER IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. TODAY WE WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT WILL MAKE US A CHURCH THAT REALLY LOVES.

IN OUR OPENING SCRIPTURE, JOHN IS QUOTING JESUS AS HE TELLS HIS DISCIPLES WHAT REALLY WILL SET THEM FREE FROM WHAT SIN HAS WROUGHT. HE SAYS, YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH AND IN KNOWING THE TRUTH YOU WILL BE SET FREE. WHAT HAS SET THEM FREE AND WILL SET US FREE IS LIVING IN HIS WORD AND HIS WORD LIVING IN US.

LETS GET DOWN TO UNDERSTANDING HOW WE GET SET FREE: GO TO PAGE 1A
ETC
NOW, LETS LOOK AT WHAT SALVATION REALLY IS AND HOW IT IS SUPPOSE TO AFFECT US.

IN THE GREEK, THE GENERIC WORD FOR SALVATION IS ' SOTERIA'
IT'S USED 45 TIMES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. THE HEBREW WORD 'YESU A' IS USED 118 TIMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. THE NAME JESUS IN ESSENCE MEANS SALVATION. THE WORD SALVATION IN THE CONCORDANCE SIGNIFIES THE FOLLOWING: FORGIVENESS, HEALING, PROSPERITY, DELIVERANCE, SAFETY, RESCUE, LIBERATION, RESTORATION. ARE YOU GETTING THIS!!! SALVATION IS TOTAL IN SCOPE FOR THE TOTAL MAN. SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY.

WHEN YOU GOT SAVED, ALL OF THESE BELONGED TO YOU !! SO WHY THAN DO WE HAVE CHRISTIANS THAT ARE STILL IN BONDAGE, THEY ARE NOT ALL HEALED, NOT ALL RECEIVE FORGIVENESS, NOT ALL PROSPEROUS, NOT ALL LIBERATED OR FREE NOT ALL RESTORED, NOT ALL DELIVERED ' SO WHY IF WE ARE SAVED (RECEIVED SALVATION), ARE PEOPLE STILL HURTING.

LET ME ANSWER THAT QUESTION BY ASKING A QUESTION. WHAT DOES SALVATION COME THROUGH ' LETS LOOK AT EPHESIANS 2:8 :

Ephesians 2:8 (Amplified Bible)

8For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;

SO NOW WE SEE THAT YOUR SALVATION CAME THROUGH FAITH, IN OTHER WORDS, ALL THE THINGS THAT SALVATION BRINGS INTO OUR LIVES COME BY FAITH. AND YOU SAY, PASTOR I HAVE FAITH WHY DON'T I HAVE ALL THOSE THINGS IN MY LIFE' I WANT TO SHOW YOU BY GOING TO GALATIANS 5:6 :

Galatians 5:6 (Amplified Bible)

6For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.

IF FAITH WORKS BY LOVE MAYBE WE NEED TO EXAMINE WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT. LETS SEE WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT LOVE. LETS GO TO MT 22:36-40
Matthew 22:36-40 (Amplified Bible)

36Teacher, which [a]kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law' [Some commandments are light--which are heavy']
37And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).(A)
38This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.
39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.(B)
40These two commandments [b]sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets.

EVERYTHING THAT WAS EVER WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND BY THE PROPHETS IS SUMMED UP IN GOD'S LOVE, THAT IS RECEIVING AND DISPENSING IT TO OTHERS.

CAN IT BE THAT WE HAVE NEVER RECEIVED IN ITS FULLNESS, GOD'S LOVE'
MANY WILL SAY THAT THEY LOVE GOD, BUT DO THEY REALLY LOVE HIM ' WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE , YOU GO OUT OF YOUR WAY FOR THEM. YOU WANT TO HELP THEM TO HAVE THE BEST THERE IS AND YOU WANT TO PLEASE THEM. ISN'T THAT RIGHT '''

TO REALLY LOVE GOD, YOU HAVE GOT TO RECEIVE HIS LOVE FIRST.
LOOK AT 1 John 4:101

John 4:10 (Amplified Bible)

10In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

AND WHEN WE FOCUS ON HIS LOVE AND REMAIN IN FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM WE ARE PERFECTED. LOOK AT 1 JOHN 4:17.

1 John 4:17 (Amplified Bible)

17In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.

DO YOU SEE ' AS WE RECEIVE HIS LOVE AND REMAIN IN FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM WE ARE BEING PERFECTED AND IF WE ARE LIKE HIM IN THIS WORLD WE HAVE TO REFLECT THAT LOVE (GOD'S LOVE) TOWARDS EVERYONE.

I THINK MANY CHRISTIANS ARE SO CAUGHT UP IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR MINISTRIES THAT WE FORGET TO FOCUS IN ON THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR US. WHEN WE REALIZE THE GREATNESS OF THAT LOVE, IT WILL COMPEL US TO LOVE ALL THOSE WHO GOD LOVES AND THAT MAY BE AND WILL BE EVEN OUR ENEMIES. ARE YOU UNDERSTANDING THIS '

GOING BACK TO AN EARLIER SCRIPTURE IN MT 22:36-40

Matthew 22:36-40 (Amplified Bible)

36Teacher, which [a]kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law' [Some commandments are light--which are heavy']
37And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).(A)
38This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.
39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.(B)
40These two commandments [b]sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets.
JESUS SAYS THAT THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OF SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY. YOU CANNOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU RECEIVE HIS LOVE PROPERLY. LIVING IN HIS WORD DOES THAT.
THAN JESUS SAYS THAT THE SECOND GREATEST COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. HERE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU NEIGHBOR IS ANYONE YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH.

NOW WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THAT AND IT HAS SUNK INTO YOUR SPIRIT. WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT BE THE THIRD GREATEST COMMANDMENT, AND THAT IS THE GREAT COMMISSION. AND THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AS A CHURCH BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE NOT FULFILLED THE FIRST TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE THIRD IN THE CAPACITY THAT GOD IS TELLING US.

1. GOD LOVES YOU ---- YOU RECEIVE HIS LOVE TO BE ABLE TO LOVE HIM BACK.
2. YOU LOVE WHOM GOD LOVES ---- THAT MIGHT MEAN EVEN YOUR ENEMIES.
3. IF YOU LOVE OTHERS UNCONDITIONALLY AS GOD LOVES YOU. NOW YOU WANT THE BEST FOR THEM AND THE BEST FOR THEM IS JESUS. THAT NOW BECOMES THE THRUST FROM GOD TO ENJOY EVANGELISM. THAT IS REACHING OUT TO THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE THE TRUTH.

NOW INSTEAD OF REACHING OUT AS A DUTY YOU HAVE TO PERFORM, ITS REALLY WANTING THE BEST FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE..
REMEMBER WHAT JESUS SAID IN JOHN 14:15
John 14:15 (Amplified Bible)

15If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

AND IN THE GREAT COMMISSION HE TELLS US TO GO OUT AND TELL THEM
Mark 16:15-20 (Amplified Bible)

15And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole [a]human race].
16He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [[b]from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.
17And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;
18They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.
19So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God.(A)
20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).

WHEN PAUL SAID THAT FAITH, WHICH WORKS THROUGH LOVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE SERVE A GOD THAT OPERATES ONLY THROUGH FAITH.. LISTEN, UNDERSTANDING LOVE AND THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT WILL MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN HOW SUCCESSFUL THIS CHURCH WILL BECOME. FAITH PLEASES GOD.

THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS RECEIVING GOD'S LOVE BY ABIDING IN HIS WORD SO THAT WHEN WE REACH OUT TO SINNERS WE ARE SIMPLY WANTING THE BEST FOR THEM. AND THAT ALONE GIVES EVANGELISM A WORTHWHILE.
MEANING.