Winter Worship Theme: Love Does
As we embark on the journey of 2019 we will be challenging ourselves to 'do' the love that God calls us to. We can't just study it. We can't just plan and make strategies about it. We can't just observe others doing it. We, ourselves, must leap into the adventure that Jesus is calling us towards.
Based on the book and study series by Bob Goff: "Love, but not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings, takes action. When love ‘does’, life gets interesting, each day turns into a hilarious, whimsical, meaningful chance that makes faith simple and real. The love that God has given to the world, and the love that God calls us to give to one another, is a creative, faithful, and deeply impactful practice. When we DO the love of God we participate fully in the life God has planned for us." -Bob Goff, Love Does
Follow along in this worship theme each week!
1/20/2019 Love Does 1 John 3:18-22
John Wesley’s definition of saving faith is: “it is not barely a speculative, rational thing, a cold, lifeless assent, a train of ideas in the head; but also a disposition of the heart”. In short, we express our faith by DOING. Love is practiced in active living… not in thoughts, ideas, doctrines, and dogmas.
1/27/2019 I Am with You John 1:1-5; 10-14
Because Jesus is with us, we can live beyond our individual limitations. Because Jesus is with us, we need not be afraid. Because Jesus is with us, we can live the incredible, awesome life God has planned for us
2/3/2019 Free to Fail John 21:15-19
Failure is a part of life. Failure is a product of someone willing to try harder, go further, and discover more than just the status quo. Our faith life is never perfected in this life… so we keep extending, expanding, maturing, and developing along the way. We live and learn and grow.
2/10/2019 Audacious Love 1 John 4:7-12
We often think about ‘love’ as an emotion that propels us into action. However, the ‘love’ in commandment and communal life expressed in Scripture is an action (a consistent practice) that cultivates not only an emotional connection… but also a spiritual, communal, and missional connection between people.
2/17/2019 Be Not Afraid Luke 10:25-28
Loving means risk. To practice love is to extend ourselves for others and become vulnerable in the process. Yet, it is in this practice of extending that we find the most fulfilling life.
2/24/2019 Follow Me Matthew 4:18-20
Jesus is very clear… he has come to seek and save the lost. He is expressing God’s love for all people. He’s not leaving anyone behind… he is going to find each and every one. He calls us to live a similar love: ‘follow me and I will make you fish for people’. To do this we need to have God’s love for the world just as Jesus did.