Matt's Messages "Trust, Obey, and Pray"

“Trust, Obey, and Pray”

January 4, 2009
Proverbs 3:5-6

Most of you probably don’t even need to open your Bibles today because you’ve got this one memorized. It’s Proverbs 3:5&6. Back when I graduated from High School, my Mom and Dad asked that people not give me graduation gifts, but instead send words of wisdom for the graduating young man. And I would bet that at least 25 people mailed these 2 verses to me for my graduation present.

Lots of people have this one memorized in either the King James or the NIV.

I’m going to read it in the NIV. Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

If our little Mitchell family had a theme song, it would be “Trust and Obey.”

Every night around bedtime, we read a Bible story, maybe a chapter or two of a missionary biography, and then we pray together as a family, normally going around the room with each family member praying. Isaac, Peter, Andrew, Robin, Heather, ...and I normally bat last.

And when we are all done praying, we all sing together:

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

That’s our theme song. I want it burned into the hard-drives of our hearts.

And this week, while we were away on vacation, as I was trying to figure out what to say to you this morning on the first Sunday of 2009, that song kept floating through my head.

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

And I thought to myself, that is good counsel for 2009.

That is good counsel for setting our minds and hearts on wise priorities for 2009!

If I could boil down my pastoral counsel for our church for the next whole year into just 3 words, they would be: “Trust, Obey, and Pray.”

Lanse Free Church, in 2009, we need to Trust, Obey, and Pray.

And I think that’s Solomon’s message for us in Proverbs 3:5&6.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

#1. TRUST.

Solomon says that we need to trust in the LORD with all of our hearts.

To trust Him means to place our confidence in Him.

It means to bank on Him, believe in Him, have faith in Him, rest in His promises, count on Him, depend on Him, reckon on Him, hope in Him...trust in Him.

And Solomon says to do it with how much of our hearts?

A-L-L.

That’s the whole thing.

What is our heart? Remember, the heart is the real you, the inside you. The heart is the you inside of you. It is the authentic you.

The heart is the vital worshiping center of our lives–we live out of our hearts.

And this proverb’s wisdom is to call us to trust in the LORD with ALL of our hearts–holding nothing back.

Sound good?

There is only one problem with this plan. ...

It doesn’t always seem like the right thing to do!

Often, trusting the LORD seems like a foolish thing to do, given the circumstances.

As you and I often eyeball a situation, it seems like trusting the LORD in this situation might be the pious, religious, righteous thing to do, but not the thing that would (v.6) make our paths straight! Anything but.

Some of you, right now, might be in a situation where it doesn’t seem prudent to trust in the LORD. You know that that’s the right answer, but it doesn’t feel like it.

Do you know what I mean?

Solomon did. That’s why he wrote the second half of verse 5.

“...lean not on your own understanding...”

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...”

Do you know what an “artificial horizon” is? I’ll bet Wally and Blair do. Any other pilots here?

An artificial horizon is the gizmo in an airplane that tells the pilot when their wings are level with the ground. As I understand it, the problem is one of inertia. Inertia makes things a little hard to figure out when you’re flying.

Did you ever notice that a full cup of coffee doesn’t spill when the plane turns, even if the wings are perpendicular to the ground? Coffee won’t spill, a magazine will drop straight to the floor, and flight attendants will walk upright down the aisle as if the plane were level. All because of inertia.

Pilots are subject to inertia, too. When flying through clouds or fog, which prevent them from seeing the horizon, pilots cannot feel the plane’s wings beginning to bank to the left or right. In fact, in the early days of flight, pilots followed the myth of instinct: they believed they could feel the turn, and when their planes were accidently engulfed in fog or clouds, many banked unknowingly into a spiral dive that ended in a crash. Pilots quickly came up the statement: “Instinct is worse than useless in the clouds.”

To fly through clouds, pilots must use the “Artificial Horizon.” The artificial horizon is an instrument with a gyroscopically steadied line that stays level with the earth’s surface and unerringly indicates when the wings are banking left or right.

The artificial horizon revolutionized flying, but when it was first invented, pilots resisted using it. The biggest problem flyers had was self-trust. They trusted their feelings more than their instruments.

We all have that problem. We all want to judge our own path, to be self-reliant, self-trusting. But Solomon says, to have a straight path, you must learn to trust the artificial horizon (actually, in our case, it’s the authentic horizon) of the LORD Himself.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...”

You see, everyone is trusting in something. Whether it is in ourselves, or our families, or our government, or our bank-accounts, or our education, or our wits, or our charm–everyone is trusting in something. But God says, in Proverbs 3:5 that if you want a straight path to God’s best destination for you–it will require faith in HIM.

That’s faith in a personal God. This is not just a generic faith in faith itself. Or faith in some idea of God, some impersonal creator force.

Notice that it says, “LORD” with all capital letters. Remember that that stands for the Hebrew word “Yahweh” or “Jehovah” is hiding there in the original Hebrew text. This is not just any god. This is the God of the Bible. This is the personal God who revealed Himself to Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and David.

This is the God who supremely revealed himself in Jesus Christ. The New Testament calls Jesus “Lord” because He is this God in v.5 of Proverbs 3. On this side of Jesus’ coming, we could read this verse, “Trust in the Lord Jesus with all your heart.”

TRUST.

That’s the heart response that brings salvation.

If you are not yet a Christ-follower yourself, “Trust in the Lord Jesus” is what we say to you on the first Sunday of 2009.

The Lord Jesus is imminently, preeminently trustworthy.

His death and resurrection make Him the way to God for all who put their faith in Him.

On the night Jesus died, He told His followers: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

If you are not yet a Christ-follower, I challenge you, I invite you, I plead with you to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Trust.

Now, before, we move to #2, I want to talk to you about the big bull’s-eye looking thing on the back of your bulletin.

You’re probably wondering where you are supposed to be putting your notes for this message!

This bull’s-eye represents almost everything important to you in 2009.

This is your life in 2009.

And there are two main things in your life in 2009 that these two concentric circles represent.

Let’s let this outside circle represent “Things I’m Concerned About in 2009.”

And let’s let this inside circle represent “Things I’m Responsible For in 2009.”

This is the circles of Concern. This is the circle of Responsibility.

You may have seen a similar drawing. I’ve sometimes called this “The Circle of Concern” and this “The Circle of Control” or “The Circle of Choice.”

Now, what might go into these different circles?

Lots of stuff. In fact, most everything that you will encounter in 2009 (except for maybe those things that are a part of your life but you don’t know about them!).

But let’s not worry about those. Let’s talk about what we do know about.

Let’s the put “the economy” in the Circle of Concern.

How many are concerned about the economy?

Now, let’s put in the middle circle (which, really, should be a lot smaller, if we were trying to be perfectly accurate), let’s put–“Spending of Personal Finances.”

Okay? Do you see how this goes?

These are the things that we are concerned about–and they truly affect us.

But we can’t do much about those things.

These things, are things we can do something about, and should.

Does that make sense?

Now, what do you think is supposed to be our response to the circle of concern?

[Hint: It’s point #1 today.]

Trust.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...”

The economy.
Your health.
The relationship between our nation and others.
The other side from you in any of your relationships.
The other cars on the road.
What someone else thinks about you.
Whether your job will still exist in 2010.
The choices your kids make.

All kinds of stuff will come at you in 2009.

And the heart-response that God wants from you is Trust.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...”

Now, do we always just leave those things to God?

No, we don’t. At least, I don’t! I like to try to take over God’s job.

I help Him out[!] by either trying to manipulate things or people [never a wise choice!] or by a simple little thing I do to help God that I call “worrying.”

Neither is His preferred choice for me.

Sometimes (often), trusting requires repentance.

Trust.

Now, this smaller, inner circle. The circle of responsibility. What do you think is our response supposed to be to the things in this circle?

Remember, this circle is the circle of things in my life that I can and should do something about. The circle of responsibility.

#2: OBEY.

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

These are the things that God is asking us to do in 2009.

Now, strangely enough, I often try to downsize this circle! I try to take God’s job in the big circle, but I shirk my responsibilities in the inner circle! I try to make those God’s job, and not mine.

For example, I’ll say, “I’m not going to reign in my personal spending. I’ll just trust the Lord to supply.”

Do you see how subtle that can be?

We want to take over God’s job, but we don’t want to do our own.

But God says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Me, but to trust and obey.”

Now, I don’t know all of what that obedience will look like for you in 2009.

God has a plan tailor-made for each of us.

But the Bible is His Word to all of us, and it applies to all of us. And so I want to suggest some areas where I think obedience may be the new path that some of us need to take.

Let me very briefly suggest areas to consider:

#1. Get Baptized.

Some of you are adult faith-followers of Jesus Christ who have never been baptized as faith-followers of Jesus Christ.

I think that’s disobedient.

The Lord Jesus Himself was baptized, and He Himself asks us to be baptized.

I think it’s a matter of obedience or not whether we follow Him in the waters of baptism.

Now, I’m suggesting that you rush into it. But I am suggesting that you look into it, if have not yet been baptized as a faith-follower of the Lord Jesus.

It’s a matter of obedience.

Don’t wait for a voice to whisper in your ear. Read your Bible. And follow.

We’re going to be holding some more baptism classes. I’d love to see many of you make a public profession of your faith in Jesus Christ in the way that He called us to.

It’s a matter of obedience.

#2. Get Into the Bible.

God is calling us to read and study and ingest and digest His Holy Word.

The Bible says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Get Into the Bible.

It’s a matter of obedience.

I’ve been encouraged to see that a number of you have taken purple reading plans for 2009. I, have chosen one, as well, and am reading along with you to try to get the whole thing read in 2009.

If you do, I’ll feed you a pancake breakfast.

But the important thing isn’t ingesting pancakes! It’s ingesting God’s Word. Remember Jeremiah 15:16?

“Your words came, and I ate them. They were my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear your name O Lord God Almighty!”

It’s a matter of obedience.

#3. Get to Church.

Church is not optional for Christians.

It doesn’t save you. Neither do baptism or Bible reading!

But it’s mandatory.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

It’s a matter of obedience whether or not you are in church and worshiping and learning and fellowshipping.

Some of us need to repent of our take-it-or-leave it approach to the Body of Christ.

Get Involved In Church.

It’s a matter of obedience.

#4. Get to Giving.

So many of you are wonderful givers, you don’t need to hear a sermon on giving.

But I can’t assume that everyone here has come to know the blessings of giving or has been encouraged to give as a matter of obedience to the Lord’s command.

The Bible says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Get to Giving.

The amount is not near as important as the act of the heart in freeing your grip around the gift.

It’s a matter of obedience. Trust and Obey.

#5. Get to Serving.

Some of us love to give of our funds, but not of our time.

But the Body of Christ and our Community need both.

Peter says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Using your gifts in ministry is not optional. It’s a matter of obedience.

What are you going to do in ministry in 2009?

And #6. Get to Sharing Jesus.

Get busy with evangelism.

Get to witnessing.

There is a lost world out there that needs to hear the Gospel.

It’s our job to take to the gospel to our friends, neighbors, family, co-workers, and everyone else.

Get to sharing Jesus.

It’s a matter of obedience.

Jesus Himself said that we should share Gospel with the whole world.

And He’s expecting us to do it.

It’s a matter of obedience.

Who have you shared the Gospel with recently?

Who are you praying for to share the Gospel?

Men, who have you invited to the Wild Game Dinner?

I think sometimes, we ask ourselves, do I want to go to the Wild Game Dinner?

And we need to ask a bigger question. Does God want me to invite someone to the Wild Game Dinner? And if so, Whom?

Men, who are you going to invite?

Get to sharing Jesus.

It’s a matter of obedience.

Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

You might have a different list of biblical commands that God is laying on your heart to fulfill. Maybe yours is forgive someone, or start discipling someone, or something else.

Regardless, it’s a matter of obedience.

Trust and Obey.

Now, I want to point something out.

Notice where the Circle of Responsibility lies!

Is it outside or inside the circle of concern?

Inside. That means that these things that we are called to do in 2009 are things that we are not just supposed to do in obedience, but also things that we are supposed to be trusting God for!

The obedience that God requires from us is a faith-based obedience.

It’s a trusting obedience.

It’s trust and obey. Not just one or the other.

In fact, all true obedience requires trust.

Now, where is obedience in this proverb? V.6

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

In all your ways acknowledge him.

Now, that doesn’t mean to just say, “Hi.”

That’s what we sometimes mean when we say, “acknowledge.”

“Hey, Jesus! How’ya doing? Props to Jesus! I acknowledge Him!”

No, this means in everything we do, to do it His way. To do it to His honor and glory.

It means to obey.

And more than that, it means to obey in a trusting way. And a personally trusting way.

The work acknowledge here means “to know.”

It means to know in a personal way.

We talk about a personal relationship with Jesus. This is a walking, talking, personal trusting and knowing of the Lord–in all of our ways in 2009.

And that’s why I add the word “Pray.”

Trust.
Obey.
And #3. PRAY.

In 2009, God is calling us to prayer.

Praying about everything.
Praying about the lost.
Praying about our concerns.
Praying about our responsibilities.

Notice this.

Everything in this bull’s-eye can be prayed for!

Those things that concern us but we can’t do anything about?

Actually, we can. We can pray about them.

Those things that God wants us to do but we’re not sure if we want to?

We can pray about those, too!

James says “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? [Pray for him, too! ...] The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

In other words, Pray about everything!

Do you have a time every day that you set aside to talk to Almighty God?

Do you have a list of things and people to pray for?

The New Year is a great time to develop a new habit of praying.

Trust, Obey, and Pray.

And what happens?

Blessing.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

You will get to your destination.

Does that mean no Bumps?

No.

But does mean straight paths.

You will get where God wants to be in 2009.

And you’ll be “Happy in Jesus!”

Trust, Obey, and Pray.

Let’s do that together.

In the middle of the night in a small Midwest farming community, the two-story house of a young family caught fire. Quickly, everyone made their way through the smoke-filled house out into the front yard. Everyone, except a five-year-old boy. The Father looked up to the boy’s room and saw his son crying at the window, rubbing his eyes.

The father knew better than to reenter the house to rescue his son, so he yelled, “Son, jump! I’ll catch you.” Between sobs, the boy responded to the voice he knew so well. “But I can’t see you.”

The father answered with great assurance. “No, Son, you can’t, but I can see you!” The boy jumped and was safe in his father’s arms.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

Closing the Books on 2008

This has been a great year for reading!

Being the designated read-aloud reader for our homeschool puts a great variety into the list, as did being sick for a lot of last Winter so I had to stock up on mystery novels, and so did having to read several books for my CCEF classes!

All in all, I got to read almost 100 books in 2008. That's the best I've done since the kids came along.

Books Completed in the Second Half of 2008 (First Half)

Llorente, Pilar Molina The Apprentice

Colson, Charles The Faith

Kramer, Peter Listening to Prozac

Welch, Edward Blame It on the Brain? [My Review]

Peterson, Eugene Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places

Bolsinger, Tod It Take a Church to Raise a Christian

Miller, Paul Love Walked Among Us

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Life Together [My Response]

Olsen, David Integrative Family Therapy [My Response]

Ingalls Wilder, Laura These Happy Golden Years

Thomas, Gary Sacred Marriage [My Response]

Sayers, Dorothy Whose Body?

Gottman, John The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work [My Response]

Vernick, Leslie How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong [My Response]

Gilbreath, Edward Reconciliation Blues

Dorsett, Lyle A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A.W. Tozer

Clements, Andrew The School Story

du Bois, William Pene The Twenty-One Balloons

Henry, Marguerite White Stallion of Lipizza

Shemin, Margaretha The Little Riders

Carroll R., M. Daniel Christians at the Border

Jamison, Kay Redfield An Unquiet Mind

Sayers, Dorothy The Documents in the Case

Peters, Ellis One Corpse Too Many

McInerny, Ralph Lying Three

Peters, Ellis Flight of a Witch

McInerny, Ralph A Loss of Patients

Thomas, Donald The Execution of Sherlock Holmes

McElwee Miller, William Tales of Persia

Burnett, Frances Hodgson A Little Princess

Carter, Stephen Palace Council

Tripp, Tedd & Margy Instructing a Child’s Heart

Montgomery, Rutherford Kildee House

Robinson, Marilynne Home

Ingalls Wilder, Laura The First Four Years

Garasha, Tom Vital Signs: An EKG of the Pastor’s Heart

Sayers, Dorothy Clouds of Witness

Altrogge, Stephen Game Day for the Glory of God [More Resources on This Here]

McInerny, Ralph Four on the Floor: A Father Dowling Mystery Quartet

Shelter, Joanne And the Word Came with Power

McCall Smith, Alexander The Kalahari Typing School for Men

Storms, Sam Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election

Meade, Starr Keeping Holiday

Harvey, Dave When Sinners Say ‘I Do’

Graham, L.B. Beyond the Summerland

Vincent, Milton A Gospel Primer for Christians

Benge, Janet & Geoff Gladys Aylward

Edwards, Jonathan Charity and Its Fruits [Online Version]

Graham, L.B. Bringer of Storms

Watterson, Bill The Calvin & Hobbes 10th Anniversary Book

Graham, L.B. Shadow of the Deep

Philbrick, Frank & Stephen The Backyard Lumberjack

Don't forget: Read the Bible more than any other book, and not all of these books are recommended! Some are quite the opposite!

This is part of a long standing tradition (I have my lists saved from 1999 on).

Previous Lists:

2008 (first half)

2007 (first half, second half)

2006 (first half, second half)

2005 (first half, second half)

Recommended Reading: New Year's Reflections

John Piper: I Love Jesus Christ

An excerpt: Would you pray with me that in 2009 we would love Jesus Christ more than we ever have? And may our Lord Jesus grant that from time to time we would deliver quietly and naturally a thunderclap into the hearts of others with the simple words, “I love Jesus Christ.”

Ray Ortlund: Going into 2009

An excerpt: 1. The gospel is being rediscovered and rejoiced over and ransacked in a fresh way, as evidenced by Together for the Gospel, The Gospel Coalition, Acts 29, etc. God seems to be creating new conditions for revival in the future. I hope I see some of it in my lifetime.

The First Syllable in Crisis is Cry

So says Jack Brooks in Sun-Dried in the Desert, a meditation on Psalm 107.

Advent 2008: Christmas Eve Candlelighting Message

“To Us a Child Is Born”
Christmas Eve Candlelighting
December 24, 2008
Isaiah 9:6-7

“Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is coming. Jesus has come and is coming again.

This Advent season, we have been celebrating the arrival of the Messiah foretold 800 years before His birth, in Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6 and 7.

This is one of those famous passages of Scripture that gets into your head and cycles around every Christmastime.

George Frideric Handel thought these words were exceedingly beautiful and incorporated them into one of the most famous pieces of music in all of Western Civilization: Handel’s Messiah.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had it in my head this whole Advent Season, especially as each family has done their Advent Reading.

Isaiah 9:6-7 is a prophecy of the Messiah of Israel–the promised ruler who would make all things right once more.

Verses 1 through 5 of Isaiah 9 talk of people walking in darkness who have seen a great light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

We’re at the darkest time of the year right now. Each day is short, each night is long.

These people were walking, living in darkness. But a light had now dawned.

And that light is the joyful reversal of the curse on the world and the end of all war!

And that light comes in the form of a child. Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6 and 7.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

This is what Christmas is all about.

Isaiah wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit about 800 years before the first Christmas. Before the birth of Jesus Christ.

He didn’t know Jesus’ name. But He could see the day when Jesus would come.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...”

God was promising to send a Messianic Ruler, born as a little human baby–born full of hope and promise.

And this little child would be a gift. A gift, Isaiah says, “to us.”

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...”

Now, originally that “us” was Israel. But John tells us that God so loved “the world” that He gave His One and Only Son to the world.

So this child was born to all of us. And He changes all of our lives.

Verse 6 says that He would have several great names.

These names are titles that would be appropriate for this coming child.

It’s not that they would be the name that His mother would give him.

She didn’t yell out the kitchen window, “Hey, Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace, come in for dinner!”

No, these four titles would accurately express who this child would become and what He would accomplish when He began His righteous rule.

During this Advent Season we have been meditating on each one.

[Light First Candle]

Bob & Eleanor Lutz lit our first candle to signify that the Child born to us would be a WONDERFUL COUNSELOR.

Now, when we use the word “counselor,” we tend to think of a dapper fellow in a cardigan sweater who carefully listens to our personal problems and then helps us to solve them with his soothing voice dispensing advice.

But the kind of counselors we know weren’t around in the 8th century before Christ.

The kind of counselors everyone listened to then were what we would call “Military Advisors” or “Military Strategists.”

These were men who understood the enemy and understood battle tactics.

They were rough and tumble men who had what it takes to give you a plan to win a war.

Isaiah says that the Messiah would be a “Wonderful Counselor.”

His plans, His strategies, His advice, His counsel would be like nothing ever seen before!

It would be “wonderful!” Full of wonders.

And therefore, anyone who took His counsel would not fail.

The apostle Paul said that all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Jesus Christ.

He is the child born to us and He is full of wonderful counsel.

His advice is like no other:

You have give up your life to save it.
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
You can’t earn your salvation, you must receive it.
It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Those kind of statements aren’t natural wisdom!

But they are wonderful!

Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor. And those who follow His strategies never fail.

I think the application of this title for us this Christmas is to marvel at Jesus’ wisdom and to seek it out.

Are you seeking the wisdom of Christ?

Or are you trying to do things your own way? Or the world’s way?

Often, Jesus’ wisdom seems foolish to us.

People come to me with problems, and I try to give them Jesus’ wisdom–often it sounds like craziness to them and they don’t give it more than a half-hearted try.

Counseling can be a pretty frustrating thing.

But Jesus’ wisdom is wonderful! It’s full of wonder!

And when we do things His way, the world may scratch their heads, but in the end, we will all marvel at the result!

Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor.

[Light Candle #2]

Andy and Bonnie Dobash lit our second candle to symbolize that the Child born to us would be the MIGHTY GOD. V.6

“He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God...”

This child to be born would appropriately[!] bear the title “Mighty God.”

Now, I wonder what Isaiah must have thought when the Spirit led Him to put those words down on paper!

A baby was going to be born, a son, and He would be called “What?” Lord, you want me to write what?

“Mighty God!”

That’s unbelievable! There are truly no real words to describe this!

Mighty God has become a baby boy!

A baby boy is Mighty God!

That’s mind-blowing stuff.

We’re too used to it because we sing the Christmas Carols every year.

And we’ve gotten used to Christmas pageants and Christmas Cards.

But this mind-blowing stuff. Our brains should be cooking just thinking about it!

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, and He was and is Mighty God!

The application of that title is simply to worship Him!

To worship Jesus in His power and His glory.

Every day, to get down on our knees and worship Him.

To center our lives around Jesus.

To make Jesus the focus of our faith.

A lot of people seem to believe in God. But the Bible says that that is not good enough.

It’s not enough to “believe in God!”

We must worship Jesus, the God-Man.

He is glorious and all-powerful deity. Deserving all of our praise and worship.

Veiled in Flesh the Godhead See
Hail (Worship!) The Incarnate Deity
Pleased As Man With Men to Dwell
Jesus, Our Immanuel!

Jesus is Mighty God!

[Light Candle #3]

The Hurley family lit our third candle. And they told us that the Child born to us would be called “EVERLASTING FATHER.”

“He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father...”

Now, Jesus is not God the Father. This is not a reference to His oneness with God the Father.

And humanly speaking, Jesus never married or had any children as a human father.

But that’s not the kind of Father that this is talking about.

This is more like George Washington or Thomas Jefferson or John Adams.

People we call the “Fathers of our nation.”

They were the foundational leaders of our nation who led and guided it.

And the Messiah was to be a Father to His people.

Now, not everyone has had a great father.

But that word “Father” is supposed to conjure up connotations of care and wisdom and authority and strong leadership.

This is the ideal Father that everyone longs for and all good earthly fathers aspire to be like: loving, sacrificial, and strong.

Verse 6 said that the “government will be on his shoulders.”

He would shoulder the government! That’s a big responsibility, calling for very big shoulders.

As a Dad, I understand what it means to have the weight of a family rest on your shoulders.

Well, the weight of the world would rest on the shoulders of this child!

That’s what it would mean for Him to be “Father” for His people.

But He wouldn’t just be Father. He’s be Everlasting Father!

This does point to His deity!

His Fatherhood, His loving leadership would be a never-ending-never-stopping-always-coming-through kind of leadership!

Where earthly fathers (all of them, all of us) will fail, this One never will!

The application of this title is simply to trust and to obey Jesus.

“To follow the Father” and to trust and obey Jesus as our loving leader.

He is so wise! Wonderfully wise!
And His so powerful! Mighty God!
And He is such a loving leader! Everlasting Father.

We can trust Him. And we can do what He says.

Are you going through a hard time right now?

Jesus is a Father. Like a Shepherd, you can trust Him, and you can do what He says, and He will take care of you.

To us a child is born, and He is an Everlasting Father. Trust Him and obey Him.

[Light Candle #4]

On Sunday, Terry and Nancy Sheetz lit our fourth candle and proclaimed his fourth title here: PRINCE OF PEACE.

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The Messiah’s rule will be characterized, not just by the absence of war (though that will be amazing!) but by the presence of harmony, justice, righteousness, and peace.

Shalom. And Shalom forever! Listen to verse 7.

“Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. [It will just get better and better and better!] He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”

This peace has come, but it has not come fully yet.

The Kingdom has been inaugurated but has not been fully consummated.

When Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.”

Because the Son had come!

And when He comes again, He will establish this Kingdom that will never end.

So, I think the application here is to rejoice in Jesus’ peace and long for Him to bring the kingdom of peace forever.

Jesus has brought peace with God.

If we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, banking on what He did for us on the Cross, we have peace with God!

And we can begin to have peace on Earth, as well. As we embrace His principles for peacemaking.

But one day, coming soon, the whole world will be filled with peace.

Justice and righteousness will flow like mighty waters.

And of the increase of his government (resting on His almighty shoulders) and His peace–there will be no end.

While we work at that now, we long for that day!

Verse 5 paints a picture of that day when “every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.”

If the boots and the uniforms are being tossed into the fire, where do you think the weapons are?

There will be no more war!

There will only be peace!

Because of the Prince of Peace!

Do you long for that day?

Is it in your blood? Is it in your heart to long for the return of the Prince of Peace–for that Kingdom to be established and to grow without end?

How will this happen?

How can we know that this kingdom will, in fact, come?

Sometimes it seems like it never will!

And we could never do it.

[Light the Christ Candle]

Our fifth and last candle is a Candle of the LORD’S ZEAL. Isaiah 9:7

“The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

Friends, we can count on it!

God is jealous to see His glory manifested in the New Creation!

He has committed Himself to this, and He will not fail to bring it about!

“The zeal of the LORD Almighty WILL accomplish this.”

We can count on that!

God is passionate about it. He is zealous. It will not fail to occur.

And all because a child has been born–to us.

Given to us.

All we have to do is to receive Him.

Have you received this Child?

Have you received the gift of His life?

To you a child has been born. To you a Son has been given.

And He will be called:

Wonderful Counselor. Marvel at Jesus’ Wisdom and Seek It Out.

Mighty God. Worship Jesus for His Power and His Glory!

Everlasting Father. Trust and Obey Jesus’ Loving Leadership.

Prince of Peace. Rejoice in Jesus’ Peace and Long for Him to Bring the Kingdom of Peace Forever.

How do we know it will happen?

“The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

Learning to Love

Learning to Love

1. The School of Love

2. Love Is Patient

3. Love Is Kind

4. Love Does Not Envy

5. Love Does Not Boast

6. Love Is Not Proud

7. Love Is Not Rude

8. Love Is Not Self-Seeking

9. Love Is Not Easily Angered

10. Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs

11. Love Does Not Delight in Evil But Rejoices in the Truth

12. Love Always Protects, Always Trusts, Always Hopes, Always Perseveres

13. Love Never Fails

14. Love Has Come

Upside Down Christmas

Check out this short film from CreativePastors.com.

It's the Christmas Story Upside Down (Hint: Watch all the way through.)

[HT: VK]

Hip, Hip, CCEF Hooray!

In a big Christmas present surprise, I got my grades back from my CCEF Classes today (I didn't expect them until mid-January).

From the looks of the papers and my professor's very encouraging comments, it appears that I got 4 A's, one for each class!

Praise the Lord!

Thank you to all of you who made it possible and prayed me through the process.

Advent 2008: Week 4

LEFC Family Advent Readings
Advent Week #4: To Us a Child Is Born
“Prince of Peace” - Isaiah 9:6-7
December 21, 2008

"Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is coming. Jesus has come and is coming again.

This Advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of the Messiah foretold 800 years before His birth, in Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6 and 7:

[READ ISAIAH 9:6-7]

[LIGHT CANDLE #1 AGAIN]

Our first candle was a candle of Jesus’ wisdom. He is the Wonderful Counselor.

[LIGHT CANDLE #2 AGAIN]

Our second candle was a candle of worship. Jesus is the Mighty God.

[LIGHT CANDLE #3]

Our third candle was a candle of trust and obedience. Jesus is Everlasting Father.

[LIGHT CANDLE #4]

Our fourth candle is a candle of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah predicted that the Messiah’s rule would be characterized, not just by the absence of war, but by the presence of harmony, justice, righteousness, and peace.

He writes, “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”

When Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men.” The Prince of Peace has come!

Peace with God is now possible because of Jesus.

Peace with others is now possible because of Jesus.

We can enjoy His peace now, in part. And one day, the whole world will be filled with His peace.

The Kingdom of the Messiah will come, and it will never end.

This candle calls us to live in the peace that the Prince of Peace has brought and will bring forever.

Advent Bible Study for Families

1. Read Isaiah 9:1-7 one last time. What title of the Child to be born has been the most meaningful to you this Advent season?

2. What is peace? Is it more than just the absence of war? How would you describe it? What’s so good about peace (Hebrew: shalom)?

3. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In what ways has His peace come? In what ways are we still waiting for His peace to fully come?

4. Re-read verse 5. What is the significance of the boots and uniforms being tossed into the fire?

5. What difference does Jesus being the Prince of Peace make for our family this Christmas? How can we live in His peace? How can we share it with others?

6. As a family, sing Joy to the World, the Christmas Carol by Isaac Watts. Joy to the World is actually more about Jesus’ second advent than His first, and it reminds us that His peace-filled kingdom will never end.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Matt's Messages "Love Has Come"

“Love Has Come”
Learning to Love
December 21, 2008
Matthew 1:18-25, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, Romans 8:35-39

I want to encourage all of you to make a plan now to read through your Bible in 2009. 2009 will be here in just 10 days, and so now is the time to make your plan to read through the Bible in the New Year.

The bulletin indicates that there are new reading plans in the back on the Bible resource table. This year, there are two main ones. Both a printed on purple paper.

The thicker one is one that we’ve put out on the table for several years. If you use that one, you actually go through the whole Bible once and the New Testament and Psalm twice. So it’s more than one time through the Bible and it’s divided up into 4 daily readings. It goes along with the companion books “For the Love of God” that also out there on the table. I highly recommend them.

The thinner plan is a great plan, too. It goes through the Bible once in a year, but I like how it’s laid out. It plans in time each week for reflection and catching-up. So, there’s built-in time in the plan for getting a little behind and then being able to still catch up. I highly recommend that plan, too. It’s called the “Book at a Time Bible Reading Plan.”

There is also One-Year Bibles out there that divide the Bible up into readings for you. And a book by Gordon Addington that helps you Discover the Bible as well.

Now, I say this every year at this time and we make these reading plans available.

This year, I want to up the ante and issue a challenge to encourage everyone here to read through their Bible in 2009.

I’m offering a pancake breakfast to everyone here who reads through the Bible in 2009.

In January 2010, Heather and I will make a pancake breakfast for anyone and everyone who brings me one of those purple reading plans with all of the boxes checked that you have read them. A completed purple reading plan will be your ticket.

How’s that? I know that January 2010 is a long way off, but now’s the time to get ready for it by planning to read your Bible.

The Bible is God’s own Word to us. What a gift! Let’s read it together in 2009!

Have you found Matthew chapter 1?

This is a very familiar passage. Let’s read it. Starting in verse 18.

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’--which means, ‘God with us.’ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

“Love Has Come.”

Today’s message is the last in the long series that we’ve been in all Fall.

Since September, we’ve been “Learning to Love.”

We’ve been in the “School of Love” with God as our Teacher and 1 Corinthians 13 as our textbook.

We’ve learned what love looks like when it’s in action. What love looks like when love is “doing its thing.”

We’ve learned that love is a wonderful, powerful thing–hard to do but awesome and effective when it’s truly practiced.

Today, as we celebrate Christmas together, we go one step further.

We rejoice in the fact that love has come in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Not just that we should love others but that God has loved us.

The Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son.

Jesus is God’s love-gift, His Christmas present, love-in-the-flesh, for you and for me.

There is so much in Matthew chapter 1.

I’d love to spend time on the genealogy with you. Or talk about Joseph and Mary and their surprise at Mary’s holy pregnancy.

But what I want to focus on today in this passage is what the Angel of the Lord told Joseph to name the baby boy.

One name is “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” V.23

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him ‘Immanuel’–which means ‘God with us.’”

What have we learned about God and love? 1 John 4:8? “God IS love.”

So if God is now with us? Then Love Has Come.

#1. Love Has Come TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS.

I get that from the other name that the angel told Joseph to give to the baby boy.

Look at verse 21:

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Now, we are familiar with that name “Jesus.” But we don’t always think about what it actually means. If you have the NIV, you’ll notice a footnote for verse 21 that says, “Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the LORD saves.”

We’re going to be learning a lot about the Old Testament Joshua in 2009. 2009 is a odd numbered year where we take up the next chronological book in the Big Story of the Old Testament. We’ve done Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers. In 2009, we’ll pick up Joshua.

Joshua’s name reminds us of deliverance. Rescue. Salvation.

“The LORD saves.”

And Jesus is the Greek form of that name.

Jesus’ name means “the LORD Saves.” The angel said (v.21), “Joe, give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Love has come to save us from our sins.

We’ve all heard that before. We say it every week. But it’s truly amazing–especially when we realize how sinful our sin really is.

You and I are, by nature, sinners. We’re rebels against a holy God.

And God would be just to send us to Hell forever.

We’ve sinned against God! He’s perfect and holy and lovely and beautiful and glorious and creator and sustainer and awesome in every way.

But we’ve all turned away from Him and turned against Him.

But the good news is, the gospel is, that Jesus is God with us to save us from our sins.

Love has come to save us from our sins.

He did it by means of the Cross.

The baby in Bethlehem grew up to be the man of sorrows crucified on a Roman cross.

Taking our sin, our shame, our guilt, our punishment, our place.

He died for our sins, the just for the unjust to bring us to God.

That’s how much He loves His people!

Do you know Him as Savior today?

Do you know Him as your Rescuer?

Does Jesus mean “the LORD has saved” you?

If you are not yet a faith-follower of Jesus Christ, saved by His grace and His work on the cross on your behalf, we invite you today to trust Him and be saved.

You need rescuing! We all do.

You are, by nature, in the burning building of God’s wrath.

But Love Has Come to the rescue!

Like a great firefighter bursting through the flames, God has sent His Son Jesus to die in your place and grab you out of sin and into His arms.

I invite you turn from your sins and trust in the Savior today.

Love Has Come to Save Us From Our Sins.

If you are saved today, what a great time of year it is to celebrate our Savior!

Joe and I sang this morning:

We Once Were Slaves in Misery
Till You Appeared and Set Us Free!
Alleluia! Hope Has Come.

Love Has Come to Save Us From Our Sins!

#2. Love Has Come TO SHOW US HOW IT’S DONE.

Jesus is God’s love come to us.

And one of the reasons why He came was to show us how to love.

To show us how it’s done.

Nobody ever loved like Jesus!

When Jesus wept over Lazarus’ death, the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

They were amazed at His love.

And the more we get to know Jesus, the more we’ll be amazed at how He loved others.

Now, first and foremost, He came to love us by dying in our place.

But His love is also an example for us.

How many times this Fall, have I said, “Can you imagine Jesus envying?” or “Can you imagine Jesus being “self-seeking?” Or “Can you imagine Jesus delighting in evil?”

Of course not. Jesus was the prime and perfect example of love.

In fact, let’s do this.

Let’s say our memory work today (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and subtitute in Jesus’ name for love. And “He” instead of “it.”

Okay?

“Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails.”

Love has come to show us how it’s done.

Do you remember how Jesus washed His disciple’s feet?

It was the night before the crucifixion and the gospel of John tells us that Jesus had loved His disciples, but now He was going to show them the full extent of His love.

He loved them to the fullest.

And wrapped a towel around his waist and bent down and did the most menial of all tasks–He washed their feet.

And when He was done, He said, “Do you understand what I have done for you? ... Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you...[And He also said] Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men wil know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

Love Has Come to Show Us How It’s Done

So that we will love, too!

Is there someone that you are struggling to love?

Is there someone in your life right now that you know that God is calling you to love, and maybe it’s difficult.

We’ve talked about love all Fall.

In all of our relationships–we, as Christ’s followers, are to be characterized by biblical, Christ-like love.

Patient, Kind, Content, Encouraging, Humble, Respectful, Others-Focused, Joyful, Gracious, and Holy, and Tenacious.

Jesus shows us how it’s done so that we will turn around and do it for others.

Can I suggest a resource to help in our ongoing education?

This book is called “Love Walked Among Us” and I read it this Summer for my CCEF classes. It is excellent. It was one of if not the best book that I read this Summer. In fact, it was one of the chief reasons that I picked this theme for our Fall sermon series.

All of our Link Groups are going to be reading and discussing “Love Walked Among Us” this Winter. They’ll all do it on their own pace in their own way, but it’s going to be the main book that folks will be reading in our church.

If you’re in a Link Group already, there should be a copy of the book in your box in the foyer.

But we want everyone to get into a Link Group, so there are more books on the table in the back. Grab one today and join a group.

Right now, we have 3 groups: I lead one, Blair leads one, and Bob Gisewhite leads one. Talk with one of us about joining a group.

If you can’t join a group, talk with me about starting one. I’d love to train you in how to do that.

Or if you can’t do that at this time, I still recommend that you get a book. They are free if you’re in a Link Group. They;re only $7.00 if you’re not.

And if 7 bucks is a problem, let me know, and we’ll get you scholarship for one.

Here’s why we’re reading this book next:

It picks up where 1 Corinthians 13 has left off.

It is a study of the person of Jesus and how Jesus loved others.

It’s a study of the Gospels and how Jesus loved people. And we’re going to learn, as we read it, how to love other people like Jesus did.

Sound good? It is. Get a book. Join a group.

Because Love Has Come To Show Us How It’s Done.

Here at Christmas time, God is calling us to love other people.

Not just to have a warm fuzzy feeling about people.

But to love people in our relationships like Jesus loved people.

Love Has Come to Show Us How It’s Done.

#3. Love Has Come TO STAY WITH US FOREVER.

Love Has Come to Save Us From Our Sins
Love Has Come to Show Us How It’s Done
And Love Has Come to Stay With Us Forever.

Turn in your Bibles with me to the book of Romans chapter 8. The last few verses.

In this awesome passage, the Apostle Paul connects again the love of God with Jesus Christ.

And his main point is this: if we are in Christ, we will never be separated from the love God.

Let’s read it. Romans 8:35. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Love Has Come and Has Come to Stay!

Paul says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”

You might think that those things would prove that we are separated from the love of Christ.

Are you going through any of those yourself this Christmas Season?

Christmas can be really tough time for people.

“Trouble or hardship or [the economy or relational difficulties or worries about work or about family or about your health? Or] persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword...”

Can true believers go through those?

You bet. Paul expects it. He quotes Psalm 44. “As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’”

But do trials at Christmas separate from God’s love?

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, [or in case you can come up with something not in those categories!] nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Love has come to stay with us forever.

I would imagine that some of us need to hear that today.

You might feel abandoned.

Maybe like verse 38 says, “death” has threatened. Or death has shown up.

Many of us grieve loved ones who have died during the holiday season.

Or maybe you’re depressed. Christmas is a time when many get the holiday blues.

You need hope.

Jesus is the hope you need.

And He is not going anywhere.

Love has come and has come to stay.

Love will never leave you nor forsake you.

It may feel like it sometimes!

But this is what is true.

“Nothing in all creation is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The little baby born in Bethlehem is the inseparable, insuperable love of God for you and me.

Love Has Come!

Love Has Come to Save Us From Our Sins.
I invite you to trust Jesus as Your Savior. The LORD saves you.

Love Has Come to Show Us How It’s Done.
Love other people like Jesus! Jesus is patient. Jesus is kind. So can you be.

Love Has Come to Stay With Us Forever.
Jesus is our Great Hope! And He’s here to stay. Trust in Him.

Oh, What Will Heaven Really Be Like?!!!

From Jonathan Edward's Charity and Its Fruits:

The joy of heavenly love shall never be interrupted or damped by jealousy.

Heavenly lovers will have no doubt of the love of each other. They shall have no fear that the declarations and professions of love are hypocritical; but shall be perfectly satisfied of the sincerity and strength of each other's affection, as much as if there were a window in every breast, so that everything in the heart could be seen. There shall be no such thing as flattery or dissimulation in heaven, but there perfect sincerity shall reign through all, and in all. Every one will be just what he seems to be, and will really have all the love that he seems to have. It will not be as in this world, where comparatively few things are what they seem to be, and where professions are often made lightly, and without meaning ; but there every expression of love shall come from the bottom of the heart, and all that is professed shall be really and truly felt.

The saints shall know that God loves them, and they shall never doubt the greatness of his love, and they shall have no doubt of the love of all their fellow-inhabitants in heaven. And they shall not be jealous of the constancy of each other's love. They shall have no suspicion that the love which others have felt toward them is abated, or in any degree withdrawn from themselves for the sake of some rival, or by reason of anything in themselves which they suspect is disagreeable to others, or through any inconstancy in their own hearts or the hearts of others. Nor will they be in the least afraid that the love of any will ever be abated toward them. There shall be no such thing as inconstancy and unfaithfulness in heaven, to molest and disturb the friendship of that blessed society. The saints shall have no fear that the love of God will ever abate towards them, or that Christ will not continue always to love them with unabated tenderness and affection. And they shall have no jealousy one of another, but shall know that by divine grace the mutual love that exists between them, shall never decay or change. [pg. 340-341 in the Banner of Truth edition]

Can you imagine?

Longing for that day.