Tuesday, June 30, 2015

How He Loves Us

At this year’s Youth Conference I had a couple of revelations. I was remembering one of the first Youth Conferences when during my keynote address on a Friday night I confessed that one of my greatest regrets in life was “knowing the truth about Jesus, yet turning away and searching for the truth elsewhere”. I shared with the group that after coming to my senses, one of my greatest joys in life was accepting the reality that Christianity really is the truth. That Jesus really did love me and out of that love died for my sins. I suppose that for a Christian this should be obvious. But for me it was a fresh revelation that Jesus was in fact really the Son of God and that He really loves me. Experiencing that truth was very liberating.
Jonie Yoder, writing for Our Daily Bread recalls Os Guinness telling about a young, searching Christian who exclaimed, "I always knew the Christian faith was true, but I never realized it was this true!"
“As a believer searching for a greater understanding of the gospel, you will discover and continually rediscover what Jesus promised: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
This last Saturday night I had another revelation. As the C3 Worship Team was leading us in singing David Crowder’s song, “How He loves us, Oh how He loves us, How he loves us so.” I re-experienced in a fresh new way the reality of Jesus’ love for me and for everyone there. It prompted me to walk around the room and put my hand on the shoulders of many fellow worshippers, looking them in square in the eye and with a smile on my face sang to each one of them, “He loves us, Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all.” It was exhilarating!
Do you need a fresh realization of that truth in your life? Then spend time searching the Scriptures (the written truth), and earnestly seek Jesus Christ (the living truth).  Sing songs of praise to the One who paid the price to set you free and then live in that freedom.  Soon the old, familiar truth of Jesus and His love will become refreshingly new to you and will make you free indeed.”  “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”John 8:36
This Sunday at the Celebration we will be starting a new series on Jesus Christ and his Revelation to His Apostle John. We will learn to recognize the reality of Jesus Christ and also learn about how to live while awaiting Christ’s return. We will also be celebrating our freedom as Americans but even more, our eternal freedom that comes from knowing and accepting God’s truth.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle

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