The pastoral staff has made the series for the season “Summer of Love.”  I find this apt and appropriate for me at the moment.  I hope and pray for hope in love these days.  I hope for truth and light and deep, sincere, lightness of heart.  I seek it in reality.  This weekend, Pastor C. John Steer lead us to love by the path of truth.  He pointed to John’s use of the word know in his epistle of love (I John).  It is important to know what God says about us in order to belief in his love.  It is important to know the words in order to know the reality, the reality that God loves us.

John (I John 4:1-6) tells us to think, listen, and watch when we are hearing others’ words about God.  Are the ideas from God?  Does it acknowledge that Jesus is God?  Is there evidence of the truth being lived out consistently and honestly in the speaker’s life?

John (I John 4:-12) tells us that God is love and God loves us.  We see evidence of God’s love in our personal transformation from failing to victorious people.  We see it in our transformation from fearful to hopeful, peaceful people.  We see evidence of God’s love at Calvary, where Jesus gave up himself to create a new covenant with us.  We see evidence of God’s love in other Believers as they feed, clothe, and care for one another, among many other beautiful ministries.

John (I John 4:13-21) tells that we can be saved from separation from God.  We know the truth of our salvation by the gift of the spirit, even when our own spirits rejoice in the company of God.  That is when we realize we were meant to be God’s children.  We see evidence of salvation in the gift of faith, knowing that faith is ours for the taking.  And we see evidence of salvation by the gift of love.

And we know what love feels like.  Love is secure.  Love is peaceful.  Love is full and makes you whole.  Love is deeper than our imaginations, visualizations, and even our far off dreams of a one day.

*Enlarge the copy of this Sunday’s notes to see who Pastor Steer quoted in his sermon.