Why I Love God's People - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
Why I Love Gods People
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Intro:
A. The Assurance that is Significant - We know that we have passed from death unto life,
B. The Affection that is Shown - because we love the brethren
C. The Alarm that is Sounded - He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
I. They have the right Pattern
Every child of God has been commanded to follow Jesus.
He is our example.
· 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
One reason I love God’s people is they are trying to imitate Jesus.
Philippians 3
· 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
· 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
We should love people that are trying to follow God; not the enemies of the cross.
1 Corinthians 4
· 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
· 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
I refuse to hang around people who pattern their lives after wicked people.
They imitate every movie star, every pop singer, every celebrity on TV.
That is not the people I want to hang out with.
They have the wrong patterns for their life.
II. They have the right Priorities
So many people today are living for all the wrong reasons.
· They are motivated by money. (nothing wrong with making money.)
· They are motivated by popularity. (God’s people have never been popular)
· They are motivated by the world’s definition of success.
· They are driven by fame or fun or foolishness.
But God’s people have the right priorities.
· Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Colossians 3
· 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
· 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
III. They have the right Practices
I love being around God’s people because they are involved in the right things.
They are more than happy living a life that is filled with practices and activities that are PLEASING to God.
I John 3
· 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
· 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
God’s people are content doing what brings pleasure to the Lord.
They avoid the wrong things.
Being around them doesn’t get me in trouble!
Hanging out with God’s people won’t get me arrested!
Being with God’s people, I won’t have to worry about getting handcuffed and put in a police car.
Spending time with God’s people won’t give me a criminal record.
I won’t end up in a courtroom in front of a judge with a court-appointed attorney.
I won’t get fined or worry about probation or posting bail.
Loving God’s people and spending time with them won’t land me in jail or rehab.
Being best friends with God’s people will keep me from dying from a drug overdose.
I won’t have to worry about waking up with a hangover.
I won’t have to worry about showing up to work drunk or getting a DUI.
Loving God’s people will keep you out of a whole lot of trouble!
God’s people enjoy life without the drama of sin and reaping the scars of sin.
God’s people have more fun than the world because our fun doesn’t land us in jail.
We don’t have to live every day hoping we don’t get caught.
We don’t have to worry about somebody snitching on us.
IV. They have the right Passions
God’s people are passionate about the right things.
Many people are passionate about sports.
They are passionate about hobbies.
They are passionate about things that don’t really matter.
God’s people are passionate about the same things God is passionate about.
Jesus explained it like this:
John 4
· 31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
· 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
· 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
· 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
We are passionate about the Father’s business.
They are passionate about eternal things.
· Seeing other people saved.
· Seeing missionaries reach the field.
· Seeing churches established in foreign countries.
· Seeing young people get on fire for God and live for Him.
· Singing that glorifies God.
· Preaching that has the potential to change lives.
V. They have the right Peer Pressure
I love being around God’s people because they motivate and stir me to do better.
· Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
I’ve never had to deal with negative peer pressure from God’s people.
· They’ve never tried to get me to smoke a cigarette.
· They’ve never tried to get me to taste alcohol.
· They’ve never tried to talk me into sneaking out at night and doing wrong.
· They’ve never tried to convince me I won’t get caught.
· They’ve never tried to talk me into doing something that would ruin my life.
Instead, they’ve motivated me to be a better person.
· To be a better Christian.
· To be a better Dad, Husband and church member.
· They make me want to pray more.
· They make me want to know my Bible better.
· They make me want to impact the world for God.
I love being around God’s people because they provoke me to love and good works!
Conclusion: Do you love God’s people? If you do, then praise the Lord.
If you don’t you might not be saved!
