This is the second week in a series called Simple Discipleship:

1. Being a Leader/Disciple

The topic for next week will be Worship/Sacrifice and we will be discussing:

2 Chronicles 20:1-30, Genesis 22:1-19, John 4:20-24, Malachi 1:6-14, 2 Samuel 24:18-25, and Luke 7:36-50

This week, we are learning about Intimacy/Love of God.

Here are my notes: Simple Discipleship Week 2

Here is the recording of the teaching, Feb 10, 2016: Intimacy/Love of God

This week’s teaching is what I would consider as the most important one to come to understand in the whole series.  The love of God and the relationship that we have with Him will affect every other aspect of our lives.

What is Intimacy? to know deeply, completely and have a greater love for then when you did not know as much.

What is Love? A deep, selfless, pure closeness and knowing of a person no matter what their words, actions, or behavior.  This closeness is promised with words, but proven by action.

Our revelation of the Love that God has for us will color every other thing that we come into contact with.  How can we love others if we do not love God?  How can we even love God if we do not understand the enormity of His love for us?

In John 15 Jesus speaks of an illustration of how close we should be in relationship with Him.  He is the vine and we are the branches.  We must be in such a relationship that we are a part of Him, and we are getting everything we need for us to live from Him .  Without this relationship with Him, we can do nothing.  I know that all of us want to be doing great things for the Lord.  However, if we are not constantly and consistently connected with Him, we are doing absolutely nothing no matter how great we may look.

If you don’t remember anything else remember this, everything we do flows from our relationship with Jesus!!!  You want to do great things? You must have a great relationship with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13 gives us a picture of the perfect God kind of love.  Paul is very clear at the beginning that no matter what you may be doing, saying, or giving to the Lord if it is not done in love, it is worthless.

Paul is very intentional about describing the God kind of love because it is so different than our view of love.  This love is God’s love for us and the kind of love we should be seeking to have for him and for each other.  We have a long way to go until we are able to obtain a love that begins to look like this perfect God kind of love.

Ephesians 3 speaks even more to how important this love is for us to have and know.  We are strengthened in our inner selves by this love.  In fact, this power, the Love of God and our revelation of this love, is the power with which God works out exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask for, hope for, or imagine.  Our faith opens the door for this love to come in and each new revelation of this love that we have unlocks a greater power to work in and through us in every area of our lives.

It is evident in Deuteronomy 7:6-9 that God has chosen you as a special treasure and set you apart for holiness.  There was nothing that you have done or ever could do to deserve this, but God did it because He loves you.  God is full of mercy or he never would have chosen any of us sinful creatures.  He is faithful because He continues to pour out His mercy when over and over again we prove that we do not deserve it.

I challenge you to sit down in a quiet place by yourself with a pen and some paper.  Ask Holy Spirit to come and speak to you.  Ask Him a simple question “How much do You love me?”  Then, simple write or draw whatever He speaks to you.  The voice of God is always loving, encouraging, and full of life.  This is what He will speak to you.

After you have completed the above exercise, I would encourage you to pray and ask Holy Spirit:

Do I have a deepening relationship with you? Does my life sustaining force flow from my relationship with You?

Am i being obedient to You out of love or am I trying to prove I am worthy of Your love?

Am I glorifying You through my love for You?

Finally, pray this with me:  “Father, bring a new revelation of the love that you have for me.  Show me how much you truly love me and help me to do better at showing that love to the people around me.”

May the Lord bless you with new revelations of His love ever-increasing and ever-strengthening you with power for great and mighty works.

Jeremiah, Man on Fire!!!