Pastor Tom Clinkscale

<p>To become recognized as a growing family of believers who are characterized by a deep and genuine love for God and others, we must relate and respond to others with longsuffering and kindness.<br></p>

<p>Part of our stewardship as the church is our love for one another and abhorrence for evil.<br></p>

<p>Pursuing and finding happiness will always leave us empty and without the good that it brings, because it is only reached when we seek God and His righteousness.<br></p>

<p>We live, fight, and wage war well committed to live always with inceasing love for Christ above all things by being strong in the Lord and His mighty power (not ourselves).<br></p>

<p>Jesus sought to live a life for God's glory which ultimately led Him to His sacrificial death for us. There is something we can learn from Jesus' obedient surrender to God's purposes for His life that will show us how we can maintain the same pursuit of obedient surrender, emotional surrender, and thinking surrender.<br></p>

<p>Jesus defines unbelief as the conscious rejection of God/Jesus and His Word and reveals a person's heart in rebellion against God. God's sovereignty over unbelief and belief gives us confidence to share the gospel with others as we trust God to give them faith to believe in His son and His word.<br></p>

<p>As we follow Jesus, we come to know His joy and strength when we serve others humbly.<br></p>

<p>The words of Jesus destroy our false gospel of emotional health and wealth in this life, and replace it with the greater promise of His power and comfort<br></p>

<p>We can have confidence in Jesus’ sovereignty and love which teaches us (in verses 1-20) to remain steadfast and trust in the integrity of Christ’s plan, despite our circumstances. (Betrayal, Opposition)<br></p>

<p>Our commitment to Christ is expressed through our sacrificial love for others in the church family and our readiness to follow him wherever he leads, trusting in His purpose plan even if it's extremely hard.<br></p>