God is Love

10/9/2011
Pastor Miles

It is easier to live in a performance-driven world where we appear to be in control.
Analogy: we feel safer swimming in a pool than in an ocean.
From young we have been brought up in a performance-driven relationship, and we project that in our relationship with God.

1. What is it like to live in Performance?
The Brother of the Prodigal Son.

"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Luke 15:25-32 ESV)

Living in performance leads to constant comparison.
Comparison can lead to pride: "I deserve God's love!"
It can also lead to shame.
Living in performance leads to resentment.
The feeling like we are not getting what we deserve.

2. How do you get out of performance?
A. Admit where you have been living.
B. Remember your identity in Christ.

And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. (Luke 15:31 ESV)

Are we making the mistake of trying to earn God's love?
God loves us for who we are and not what we do.

C. Learn to live in the love of God.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV)

Replace "love" with "God" for God is love.

3. What is it like to live in God's love?

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20 ESV)

God is jealous for us. He wants what's best for us.

"How He Loves Us"

God's love for us is a purifying love, not a "Teddy bear" love.
His love for us is like a hurricane, and we are a tree, being overwhelmed by His love.