Abiding Love
Abiding love in the Bible refers to a deep, enduring, and unconditional love that reflects the nature of God's love for humanity and serves as a model for how believers are called to love one another. The term "abide" suggests a continual presence and commitment, which is evident in passages such as John 15:9-10, where Jesus says, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." Here, to abide in Christ's love means to remain in a relationship of trust and obedience, allowing His love to shape one's identity and actions.Moreover, this concept is reinforced in 1 John 4:16, which states, "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in them." This highlights the reciprocal nature of abiding love; as believers dwell in God's love, they are empowered to express that same love to others. Abiding love transcends mere feelings, demanding a commitment to act in love, reflect God's character, and build community, thus making it a foundational principle of Christian living.
Abiding Love9
Loving Others: By Seeing God's Glory (Jn. 15:12; 17:22)
By Mike Bickle331:08:55MAT 16:18JHN 15:12JHN 17:22EPH 4:16HEB 2:7Mike Bickle emphasizes the importance of loving others as a reflection of God's glory, urging the congregation to extend their love beyond familiar circles to those who feel unnoticed or unloved. He highlights that true love mirrors the relationship within the Trinity and is essential for the church's mission, as it demonstrates God's character to the world. Bickle encourages believers to actively seek out and include those who may feel isolated within the church community, reinforcing that every member has a pastoral calling to love and support one another.
Loving Others: God's Primary Plan Is the Local Church
By Mike Bickle3144:38MAT 5:46JHN 13:35JHN 15:9JHN 15:12EPH 3:18EPH 4:16HEB 10:25Mike Bickle emphasizes that loving others is central to God's plan for the local church, as illustrated in John 15. He highlights that Jesus loves us with the same intensity as the Father loves Him, and this love compels us to extend it to others, especially those who may not enhance our lives in any way. Bickle encourages believers to see their pastoral calling as a responsibility to love and include those who are often neglected within the church community. He asserts that true fellowship goes beyond comfort zones and requires intentional outreach to the weaker members of the body of Christ. Ultimately, the church is called to be a family that reflects the Father's love, demonstrating it to the world.
Beholding the Father's Love
By Mike Bickle3951:19MAL 3:6JHN 3:1JHN 15:9JHN 17:23ROM 5:5EPH 3:17PHP 1:9HEB 13:81JN 4:16REV 3:9Mike Bickle emphasizes the profound nature of the Father's love for us, drawing from John 15 and 17, where Jesus reveals that God loves us with the same intensity as He loves His Son. This love is not only a theological concept but a transformative reality that should shape our relationship with God and how we view ourselves. Bickle encourages believers to abide in this love, allowing it to change their hearts and minds, and to recognize their worth as beloved children of God. He stresses that understanding this love is crucial for experiencing true joy and confidence in our relationship with God.
Abiding in Christ: Cultivating Union With God (Jn. 15:1-8)
By Mike Bickle4134:32JHN 15:1Mike Bickle emphasizes the profound relationship believers can cultivate with Christ through the metaphor of the vine and branches in John 15. He explains that true fruitfulness comes from a mutual abiding relationship with Jesus, where believers actively engage in talking to Him, trusting His word, and obeying His leadership. Bickle highlights that this relationship is not just about outward ministry but about an inward transformation that impacts our character and actions, often unnoticed by the world but deeply valued by God. He encourages believers to embrace both their legal union with Christ and their living union, which involves a dynamic interaction with the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, Bickle calls for a deeper, more intentional dialogue with Jesus that leads to lasting spiritual fruit.
God Loves God: Practical Applications for Our Life
By Mike Bickle5648:04MAT 22:37JHN 15:9Mike Bickle emphasizes the profound nature of God's love, particularly the love shared within the Trinity, and how this divine love invites us into a deeper relationship with God. He explains that loving God wholeheartedly is not just a command but reflects the very essence of God's being, which is love itself. Bickle encourages believers to abide in this love, participate in it, and understand that God's love is the foundation for our identity and relationships. He highlights that our worship and prayer should flow from this understanding of God's love, transforming how we see ourselves and interact with others. Ultimately, the call is to engage deeply with God's love, which is the core of our existence and purpose.
Participating in the Family Dynamics of the Trinity (Jn. 14)
By Mike Bickle4442:40JHN 14:1JHN 14:9JHN 14:16JHN 14:20JHN 14:26JHN 15:5JHN 17:21Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of participating in the family dynamics of the Trinity as outlined in John 14. He explains how Jesus reassures His disciples not to be troubled by His impending departure, introducing them to a new relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit. Bickle highlights two foundational truths: the promise of eternal life in the Father's house and the new way to relate to God through the Spirit. He stresses that believers are invited to experience a deep, mutual relationship with the Father and Son, mirroring the unity that exists within the Trinity. Ultimately, Bickle encourages the congregation to cultivate this relationship through their thoughts and words, which are vital in their walk with God.
Loving Others in the Love of God (Jn. 15:12)
By Mike Bickle4354:35MAT 22:39LUK 6:31JHN 15:12ROM 13:10GAL 6:2EPH 4:32HEB 10:251PE 4:81JN 3:181JN 4:7Mike Bickle emphasizes the call to love others as God loves us, rooted in John 15:12. He explains that God's love is wholehearted and should inspire us to express that love to others, particularly those who feel unnoticed or unvalued. Bickle challenges the spirit of entitlement that often arises when discussing love within the church, urging believers to take the initiative to love and support one another. He highlights the importance of community and belonging in the body of Christ, encouraging a shift from seeking to be loved to actively loving others. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a commitment to embody God's love in our relationships, fostering a spiritual family that reflects the heart of the Father.
God Loves Us With All of His Heart
By Mike Bickle5048:22PSA 8:4HAB 2:14LUK 15:10JHN 15:9JHN 17:23EPH 2:6EPH 3:181JN 3:11JN 4:19REV 3:21Mike Bickle emphasizes that God loves us with all of His heart, illustrating that the love shared within the Trinity is the foundation of our understanding of divine love. He highlights that Jesus invites us to abide in this love, which is as intense as the love the Father has for the Son. Bickle encourages believers to study and experience this love deeply, as it is the source of our worth and joy, and to recognize that our love for God is a response to His love for us. He reminds us that God's love is unwavering and fully expressed, regardless of our spiritual maturity. Ultimately, the sermon calls us to embrace our identity as beloved children of God, cherished and invited into a profound relationship with Him.
Union With God: What It Looks Like (Jn. 14:12-24)
By Mike Bickle5039:24JHN 14:12Mike Bickle emphasizes the profound nature of our union with God as described in John 14:12-24, illustrating how Jesus models an intimate relationship with the Father that believers are invited to share. He explains that this relationship is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to engage in prayer, obedience, and experience God's presence in our lives. Bickle highlights the importance of understanding our identity in Christ and the transformative power of this union, encouraging believers to pursue a deeper connection with God through prayer and obedience to His commandments. The sermon underscores that our relationship with God is not just about belief but involves an active, loving response to His call.