Church Of The Lost Sheep

" We love because God loved us first. Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates another believer is a liar. People who don’t love other believers, whom they have seen, can’t love God, whom they have not seen. Christ has given us this commandment: The person who loves God must also love other believers." -The Apostle John, writing to the first believers, 1st century 1 John 4:19-21 in God's Word Version [This is the 4th message in this  series ] We shall continue with the letter of John addressed to the second generation as well as succeeding generations of believers. We are continuing on with John explaining more about the Gospel. In the excerpt above taken from John's first letter, he is telling the new batch of believers that Jesus, the Christ told them He left them with two commandments -- to love God and to love others (in actual practice). In Practice Not Just Theory One cannot say they love God when they do not love other believers. John is trying to illustrat

"God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world." John 3:17 A lot of people can quote John 3:16 by heart. And yes it is a very powerful love note from God. But right after this most quoted of verses is the reason for the season. Isaiah sums is out best with this: 'FOR to us a child is born, to us a son is GIVEN' [not earned or worked for, but freely given]. The first and last words together is what the baby Jesus was born to do and to offer you... the gift of FORGIVENESS. Once you receive Jesus, you are FORGIVEN. And it is important to note that you cannot give out what you have not received. This Christmas before we exchange or give out and receive earthly gifts, let us first receive God's gift that lasts forever -- the gift of forgiveness -- the one gift you need to share to everyone else especially to the ones who hurt you the most and in most cases even to your own self. And nowadays more than ever, as more and mo