Love

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:7-12)

Revival Sermon: Diagnosing the Need – a sermon from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/diagnosing-the-need/

Mark 9:28-29

Are you burdened by the condition of this world? Are you concerned with the present problems of this age? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones introduces a sermon series on revival by discussing some common misconceptions about apologetics and evangelism in today’s age. By using the illustration seen in Mark 9:28-29, he acknowledges that there are indeed different times, which require different means of actions. The church and its members often rush to fix a problem before properly diagnosing the issue. Just as Jesus did in Mark, we need to be reminded that we must have understanding in our approach. So, as you are confronted by the way certain people live, be mindful that each case is different. In speaking about apologetics, Dr. Lloyd-Jones discusses a common error of the church trying to make the faith relevant in today’s culture. Some say that newer Bible translations or better church advertising would cause revival. However, are those targeting the root of the modern problem? Revival comes only by the power from God. As we feel burdened or pressed of the condition of this world, we need to be in constant prayer for power and guidance for the Lord.

A very important ‘IF’ in 1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

NIV

Imitators of Jesus Christ

Surely what Paul speaks of here is still to be our experience as followers of Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;

4 knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,

5 how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we shewed ourselves toward you for your sake.

6 And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost;

7 so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

8 For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything.

9 For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,

10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivereth us from the wrath to come.

Not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance let us be imitators of the Apostle Paul and of the Lord