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God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Believers may not often realize it, but even as believers we are either centered on man or centered on God. There is no alternative. Either God is the center of our universe and we have become rightly adjusted to Him, or we have made ourselves the center and are attempting to make all else orbit around us and for us (Vern Fromke).
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Most men are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within His followers except the adoption of Christ’s purpose toward the world He came to redeem. Fame, pleasure and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfillment of His eternal plans. The men who are putting everything into Christ’s undertaking are getting out of life its sweetest and most priceless rewards (John Campbell White).
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    • Love The Social Test I John 4

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    Love The Social Test I John 4 48 First Epistle of John Chapter 4 LOVE: THE SOCIAL TEST

    BACKGROUND:

    1. Second of three tests of discipleship
      1. Moral Test – Obedience
      2. Social Test – Love
      3. Doctrinal Test – Belief
    2. Given to teach unity of doctrine

      (which brings joy and fellowship to believers)

    3. CAUTION CONCERNING LYING SPIRITS: FALSE PROPHETS
    4. The existance of lying spirits (v. 1)
      1. False prophets set themselves as teachers
      2. If not “of God” then “of whom?”
      3. “Many” are around
      4. Existance of “false” proves existance of TRUE PROPHETS
    5. The examination of lying spirits (vv. 2-6)
      1. First Test: WHO they teach/preach about
        1. Some glorify self with stories of battles won
        2. True prophets glorify Christ
          1. As Jesus taught (Mt. 5:16)
          2. As Holy Ghost does (Jn. 14:26 & 16:13)
          3. As the Apostles did (Acts 14:11-15)
      2. Second Test: WHAT they teach
        1. True prophets teach that Christ has come in the flesh (vv. 2 & 3)
        2. False prophets speak of the world (and its glory)
          1. Beauty of riches
          2. Desire for “things”

    II. CAUTION CONCERNING LOVING SPIRITS: FALSE PROFESSION

    1. The ground of love (vv. 7-10)
      1. Love is of God (vv. 7,8)
      2. Perfect Love was revealed in Christ (v. 9,10)
    2. The glories of love (vv. 11-21)
      1. God’s example was given to be followed (v. 11)
        1. The expression of love is proof of God in us (v. 12)
        2. Love is a fruit of the Spirit (v. 13 & Gal. 5:22)
      2. The testimony of Christ is the greatest expression of love

        (vv. 14-16)

      3. Love brings confidence (vv. 17-19)
      4. Can one LOVE simply in obedience to a command? (cf. vv. 20-21)
        1. Love God first
        2. THEN you will be able to love others “also”

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