3 Minute Devotional: 1 John 3:14-16

"If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:14-16

(3:14). In this first verse John lays out the first test for a follower of Christ. This test is if we love “the brethren.” These people are fellow believers. I must add that by referring to believers, John is not saying that it is permissible to hate unbelievers. John uses a statement that reveals a total contrast for being saved. The phrase is, “passing from death to life.” The perfect tense is used here to signify that we remain in life once we have passed from death. In other words, there is not a constant movement from one to the other. John goes on further to say that he who loves not his brother still abides in death. This verse and passage deals with salvation, not sanctification.

(3:15). John further elaborates on what the neglect of the command in verse one actually is. He equates hate with murder. Why is this? The scriptures tell us that God desires truth in the inward parts. At the time of the writing of this letter, there were those who taught that one could live in sin and still be a believer. Others taught that one only had to keep the letter of the law and not the spirit. In other words, it was wrong for you to kill someone but hating that person within your own heart and mind was permissible. This is why John says that one who hates and one who kills are equally guilty in the eyes of God.

(3:16). This verse lays out the perfect example by what love is to be measured. John states that we know the love of God because of his demonstration of that love on the cross. How do we know that God loved us? His action on the cross is proof of His love. The word for love is “agape” which is the highest form of love. The Greek language has different forms of the word love, each with different meanings and levels of importance.

In this verse he simply says in order for us to follow in Christ’s example of love we must follow His actions: lay down our lives for one another.

Source SM Recap: Volume #43

Title: “Make the MOST of summer" The Word: Ephesians 5:15-16, James 4:14 Main Thought: Make the most of the opportunity of summer to follow God

Summer time is here. Now when you hear the word, “Summer” what comes to mind?  Now what comes to mind when you hear the word, “Time.” Have you ever thought about time? Redeeming the time…

Why is time so important?

- What we spend our time on matters in eternity. - Time is limited. This is what makes it special. - When time is past, it cannot be re-done.

As we get ready for summer, let’s focus tonight on the importance of MAKING THE MOST of Summertime!

M EET NEW PEOPLE

Summer is a GREAT time to reach out of your comfort zone and meet someone new at Source! Build relationships with each other. Take advantage of our day trips, camps and events to expand your friendships!

O PEN YOUR EYES

Most people tend to “get lazy” in the summer. There is no such thing as boring, but boring people. I want to encourage you to make the most of the summer by opening your eyes to the needs around you.  Look for opportunities to represent Christ everywhere you go.

Moving from a youth group to a youth ministry!

• Students ministering to students. Everyone is accepted and loved
• Every person counts, every story matters, every person matters to God.
• Small Groups on Mission
• Lead students to serve and connect to the Springs!

 “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” Mark 9:35

S HOW UP

Often, our “laziness” in summer affects our attitude toward church.

Ephesians 5:15-16: "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."

Time is Limited. We have only a certain amount of time on earth. We are given an opportunity to invest or waste it.

Life is found when we give it to Christ. This is why we are given the calling to imitate Jesus and influence the world with Jesus.

James 4:14: “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”

T ELL A FRIEND Showing up is great….showing up with a friend is even better! We’ve got tons of stuff planned this summer for you to invest and invite your friends. Take a chance, go out on a limb and invite a friend to join you at church or an event this summer.

Source student ministry exists to lead students to imitate Christ and influence the world! Look at others through the eyes of Christ

What will you do with your summer? Will it be for yourself or for the glory of God?

Element of Fun: The middle school students played the game where they had to bend over and bite a paper bag rolled up at different levels without touching the ground with their knees.

Music: Not Ashamed, Give Me Faith, Holy Spirit, Oceans (closing).

Favorite Moment: Listening to how God moved in the service and in small groups with great discussion on making the most of our time on earth for God.

What’s Next: We are kicking off the summer with an "End of School" Bash for High school students on June 12 and for Middle School on June 16th.

To watch any of the series messages, check out the vimeo page

Source SM Recap: Volume #42

Current Series: Call of DutyTitle: “Offensive Attack” The Word: Ephesians 6:17-18, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 4:12. Main Thought: God has armed us to defeat sin with His Word and prayer.

Message Explanation: God’s Word and Prayer are the offensive weapons to fire back at the enemy. The offensive weapons of salvation, the Word of God and prayer fuel a Christ follower in life. We are armed and dangerous to love the darkness with the light of Jesus.

Teaching Point #1. The helmet of salvation protects our mind.  This protects our minds from Satan trying to deceive us out of our relationship with Christ. We have salvation in Jesus Christ not because of what we do, but by the grace of Jesus.

Ephesians 6:17a: “Put on salvation as your helmet….”

We have the mind of Christ. The helmet protects the head, the mind of the Christian. The less junk you fill your mind, the less junk will come out of your life!

Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Sword of the Spirit – The sword helps us to not be on the defensive all the time.  Can you imagine a team only playing defense and never having the ball? The sword of the Spirit helps us to move forward no matter what is in front of us.

 Ephesians 6:17b:“…and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Teaching Point: 2. God’s Word is how He communicates to us.  

The Sword of the Spirit is our weapon. It’s God’s Word, the Bible in order to share God’s Story. 

Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.                                                                                                                 

Teaching Point #3: Prayer is aligning my heart with God’s heart. We need to be passionate about depending upon God everyday. The Holy Spirit will comfort, lead, and help us follow Jesus.

^“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Our purpose in life is the gear up daily and bring God glory with our lives. God has armed us to defeat sin with His Word and prayer. The battle around us is not physical. It is a supernatural battle. The Christian life is a battle! As followers of Christ, we have a call of duty to stand firm for Jesus. We need to suit up with the armor of God on a daily basis. Through Jesus, God has provided everything we need to stand firm against the enemy.

What are some areas that are holding you back in life? How can you go on the offense and get rid of distractions so you can live with one purpose?

Element of Fun: The middle school students played the game “Taylor Swift Lyric or Lamentations verse.” It was a lot of fun!

Music: Sweetness of Freedom, Forever Reign, Revelation Song, Set a Fire.

Favorite Moment: Listening to two of my leaders share the word in the middle and high school teaching time!

What’s Next: We are kicking off the summer with a message called, "How to make the most of summer!"

To watch any of the series messages, check out the vimeo page