Title: Give Your Heart To Jesus
Bible Book: 2 Peter 3 : 14-18
Author: David Cook
Subject: Love; Inspiration
Objective:
Introduction
A woman told her husband, “I dreamed you gave me a gold necklace. What do you think it means?”
“I don’t know, Valentine’s Day is coming soon, maybe you’ll find out."
The next day she said; “I dreamed you gave me a pearl necklace. What do you think that means?”
“You will know Valentine’s day,” he replied.
The night before Valentine’s Day, “This time I dreamed that you brought me a diamond necklace. What do you think it means?”
“Honey, be patient. You’ll know tomorrow.”
For Valentine’s he gave her a book -“The Meaning of Dreams.”
What do you give someone you Love? We are to love God, for He first loved us. He showed us His love at Calvary. How do we show our love for Him?
Near the end of his life, the Apostle Peter urges believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to be motivated and maturing in their walk of faith. They have all of eternity before them to experience the wonders of God’s love and grace – and they look forward to the day of the Lord’s return – but until He comes – they must understand the earth is not a playground, but a battleground.
Peter warns them to be aware of enemies in the way who will try to bring discouragement into their lives. There will be those inside and outside the body of Christ who will do all they can to distort the precious, life chaining Word of God – so that Christians will become disillusioned, lose heart and hope.
Peter says, “Don’t let this happen to you. Instead, put your Christian armor on and remember to fix your mind on the good news!” The good news is that your hope is not in this world - you are looking forward to something much better – you are looking forward to the city whose builder and maker is God! You are looking forward to a new heaven and new earth in which righteousness dwells.
In light of the awesome plan God has laid out for you – make sure you keep looking to Him for direction and guidance. Let your life be shaped by purity, peace, patience, and the proclamation of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I. Give Him A Pure Heart
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:11-14”
A. Love Him with a Pure Heart
How can we have a pure heart? By looking to the world? No, the WORD!
B. Love Him with a Dedicated Heart
Jesus is the answer to a pure heart – a heart that is totally dedicated to Him.
C. Love Him with a Trusting Heart
He gives us His promise. (1 John 3:2) – Pure heart does not come by trying – but trusting in what God has promised! When you think about meeting Jesus and spending eternity with Him – it’s purifying! “Blessed hope”
D. Love Him with a Spirit-filled Heart
He gives us His Presence – The Holy Spirit.
He gives us His Place. Read. Isaiah 65:17-19 -Beauty – Glory – Purity – Happiness - Holiness
God’s new creation will be so incredible – we’ll never even think about old creation! No sin, sadness, sorrow – God and His people will be rejoicing! “I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people.” (19)
He gives us His peace. We have peace now – and peace in our hearts when we think of eternity. I love Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because He trusts in you.”
Where is the answer for peace today? Politics? Power? People? There’s only one way to have a deep sense of God’s peace in your life and that is to know God is going to be faithful to you 100% of the time. Peace is not based on my present circumstances – but in the God who is with me in the midst of whatever I’m facing.
II. Give Him A Passionate Heart
A. Jesus Is First in Our Focus
How many of you have ever had a situation where you are stuck at a red light for a long time – then when it turns green – the cars don’t move! We can get so focused on that red light that we forget the light has turned to green and it’s time to move forward! The Green Light God has given us means we are free to press on in our walk with Him, free to go into our community and preach the gospel.
When our focus is on Jesus as a church – we are focused on the “Go.” “Go and preach the gospel.” “Go and make disciples.” “Go and feed the hungry.” “Go and extend forgiveness.” “Go and invite that friend to church!”
B. Jesus Is First In Our Family
“Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church.” Eph. 5:25 How does Christ love the church? Selfless, serving, sacrificial. Too many think love is about “getting” rather than “giving.” Many mistakenly base their love for family on emotions or performance. We say, “I love them if…God says, “Love them the way I love you!” Today is a great day to renew love for family! With Jesus at the center of your family – He can hold it together and make it strong!
A mother asked her 7 year old daughter about he favorite Bible story? She responded that it was the story of Jesus at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Shocked, the mother said, “Why is that your favorite Bible story?” The little girl said, “I learned that I want Jesus to be there at my wedding!” For our marriage to start strong – Jesus needs to be present – for our marriage to stay strong – Jesus needs to be preeminent every day of our lives!
C. Jesus Is First in our Finances
It seems everyone is struggling financially these days – One reason we are offering the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Course Wednesdays! One of the main reasons we have financial problems is putting our needs first and God priorities down the line. What if God gave to us like we give to Him? A key to financial stability is “Start” and “Stop.” Start giving God what belongs to Him – Stop the unnecessary purchases.
Suppose you have an important package to send to someone who needs it. You take it to an overnight delivery service. What would you think if, instead of delivering the package, the driver took it home? Then, when you confront him, he says, "If you didn't want me to keep it, why'd you give it to me in the first place?"
You'd say, "The package doesn't belong to you. Your job is to deliver it to the person who needs it." Just because God puts his money in our hands doesn't mean he intends for us to keep it.” R. Alcorn
D. Jesus is First In Our Fellowship
How do you know if you are attending a Christ-centered church?
1. Worship - We worship Him simply for who He is! We worship Him because He is our Lord – He loves, leads, and lifts us!
2.Word of God – The Bible is God’s love letter to you – Someone said, “B.I.B.L.E. – basic instruction before leaving earth!”
3. Welcome – If there ever was a time when people needed a friend, it’s now.
Everywhere you go, people need the love of Jesus and they need you to love them in the Lord. 80% of people who become Christians do so because a loving and concerned friend invited them to church to hear the good news of the Gospel – God Created You – Loves You – Rebellion - - Redemption – Resurrection – The Lord Jesus is alive today with all power in His Name!
4. Witness – Fire Department of Heaven – If your neighbors home was on fire and you did not warn them and do all you could to pull them from the flames – you were not doing your duty!
5. Waters – the waters of baptism. The greatest joy on earth is knowing you belong to Christ – the second greatest joy is introducing another to Christ and seeing them baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – maturing in the Lord!
III. Give Him A Praising Heart
“17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18
A. Praise for His Command
Grow In Grace – “advance,” “increase” and knowledge of Him
Quote: (“Not here to sit, soak, sour – but strong in His strength!”)
B. Praise for His Consistency
He’ll Never Fail You
C. Praise for His Cross
Forgiveness, Freedom, Future
D. Praise for His Call
Salvation & Service (He Loves You – Cares For You - Laid Down His Life – “No greater love…than a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13)
A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God." As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.
This is the love that sent Jesus to Calvary!
This is the love that raised him from the grave!
This is the love that lifted me!
When nothing else could help, love lifted me!
Conclusion
Give Your Heart to Jesus alone today! Come to Him in humility and say, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner – forgive me of all my sins – give me Your peace within - make me the person I can only be through your power and grace!”
