The Love of Christ that Constrains Us, part 2
In this message, Mac emphasizes the profound love of Christ and its transformative power in the lives of believers. He reflects on the Apostle Paul's life, highlighting how Paul was constrained by Christ's love, which enabled him to live not for himself but for the one who died and rose again. Mac encourages the congregation to recognize that the love of Christ is secure, sufficient, and surpasses all understanding. He contrasts self-love with Christ's love, which prioritizes others and fosters unity among believers. Mac shares historical examples, such as Antoine Court, who, driven by Christ's love, returned to France to support persecuted Christians despite the risks. He urges believers to be rooted and grounded in Christ's love, which provides nourishment and stability in challenging times. Mac concludes by reminding the congregation that comprehending the love of Christ requires community and fellowship with all saints, as together they can experience the vastness of His love. He encourages believers to allow this love to manifest in their lives, fostering unity and a deeper relationship with God.
- Worship and gratitude for Christ's love
- Paul's testimony of being constrained by Christ's love
- Contrast between self-love and Christ's love
- Historical example of Antoine Court's sacrifice
- Importance of being rooted and grounded in Christ's love
- Comprehending the love of Christ through community
- Encouragement to manifest Christ's love in daily life
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
