Monday, February 15, 2016

Heart Cry: Keep Me True (3 Jn. 3-4) (Part 1)

Yesterday morning, we began a new series called “Heart Cry.”  The idea of crying might not be popular, but the idea of heart tied in with Valentine's Day.

When you think of Valentine's Day, what comes to mind? Responses from the congregation included
love, romance, flowers, candy, cards, and expense.  Every man knows that, on Valentine's Day, you bring your wallet.  He is also wise enough to know this is money well invested!

Heart is an essential thing at Valentine's Day.  Agreed?  It helps if you have a heart.  It helps if you show it.  Aren't you glad for God's Valentine, Jesus Christ?  The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus were Hallmark moments: God showed his heart, his love, for sinners (Rom. 5:8).  He cared enough to send the very best.

We distributed boxes of heart candy and then asked, "Do you remember these from when you were a child?"  Congregants opened the boxes and put a few hearts in their hands.  I asked what the hearts said and allowed for responses.  (Some candy maker had a very long day at the office, and you can tell he or she was quickly losing creativity – and maybe sanity!)


Those were sayings written on candy hearts. I wonder what's written on God's heart?  Did anyone get a heart that said, “Be true”? Truth – that's one of the things on God's heart.

Our main Bible verses were Third John, verses three and four.

God's heart is that you would want what He wants for you.  What does God want for you?  God wants for you to walk in truth – to know the truth and live it.  If John, as a pastor, was so moved to hear that people in the church walked in the truth, how much more is God Himself moved when He sees this!  The key phrase in these verses is “walking in the truth.”

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