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  THE POWER TO LOVE
  by Theodore Epp
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of divine love in the
Christian life and how it matures within believers through the Holy
Spirit.

Topics: "Divine Love", "Christian Maturity"
Scripture References: Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 5:5, 1 John 4:7-21

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DESCRIPTION
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Theodore Epp emphasizes that love is not something we create but rather
something we release, as instructed in 1 John 4:7-21. He explains that
while natural love may falter, divine love, which God has bestowed upon
us, empowers believers to love even the unlovable. This love, rooted in
God's nature, grows within us through the Holy Spirit and matures as we
walk closely with the Lord. As Christians allow God's love to flow
through them, it becomes a testament to Christ's presence in their
lives. Epp concludes with the reminder of God's everlasting love as
expressed in Jeremiah 31:3.

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CONTENT
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1 John 4:7-21

The apostle did not say, "Try to create and produce love." He said, "Let
us love." In other words, we are to release that love.

Some may protest and say they cannot love certain people. That is true
from the natural standpoint, but we are not dealing with natural love.
It is divine love, the love with which God loved us when we were
unlovable and our sins had separated us from Him.

God, as to His nature, is love. And this love is shared with the
believer. It has been shed abroad in the heart of each one (see Rom.
5:5). This love of God will grow within us and flow through us in an
unbroken stream if we will let it. The Christian life, which is the
power of the Holy Spirit within, is a life of love.

This love of God matures the Christian. I have seen many of God's people
grow older in the Lord and grow more Christlike as they walked with Him
from day to day. They took more time to be with the Lord and had their
hearts filled with Him. Through this, their love was perfected toward
others. This mature love expressed through God's people demonstrates to
others that Christ lives in us.

"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee
with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn
thee" (Jer. 31:3).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/theodore-epp/the-power-to-love/
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