Loving Deeper

This past Sunday our church had the privilege and honor of welcoming Pastor Roy Ellis as our guest speaker! He brought us a wonderful message titled, Loving Deeper, stating “It’s not about trying harder, it's about loving deeper.”

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

- 1 Corinthians 13:13

Without love, faith can be misappropriated and hope can be misdirected. Jesus himself stated that the qualifying proof that we are truly disciples of His is that we love one another. But He also instructed us that commandment-keeping is not about trying harder, it's about loving deeper! The greatest commandment is to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Every other commandment can be easily met once we place others above ourselves, choosing the higher good of others rather than ourselves, because that’s what love is!

Pastor Roy Ellis took us to the book of Song of Solomon, walking us through an illustration of Christ’s love for the church and the love of the church for Christ. He pointed out that we will never truly love God until we experience the love of God.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. Draw me away! -Song of Solomon 1:2-4

Through this verse, Pastor Roy Ellis showed us that love should be what motivates us to draw near to God. Love is the proper motivation to pursue God, but sometimes people can fall into the trap of only pursuing God when they need something, in times of hardship. Our pursuit of God should stem from loving Him deeper, not us trying harder to get what we need or want.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Sustain me with cakes of raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am lovesick. -Song of Solomon 2:4-5

“We need a revival of lovesickness in the American Church. Where it places Him at the center and not us. We don’t need to try harder, we need to love deeper”.

- Pastor Roy Ellis

We shouldn’t come to church just out of ritual, but because we are in love- in proper pursuit of God. Don’t settle for only going through the motions of religion, but become lovesick for Jesus Christ! The dictionary describes lovesick as: in love, or missing the person one loves, so much that one is unable to act normally. (1) Maybe you remember being a lovesick teenager? But is this the way you feel about Jesus?

By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him. “I will rise now,” I said, “And go about the city; in the streets and in the squares. The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the one I love?” Scarcely had I passed by them, when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go, -Song of Solomon 3:1-4

“Loving deeper will push you out of your comfort zone.”

-Pastor Roy Ellis

When you love God, it’s not about trying harder to pursue a relationship with Him through a checklist of religious activities but it’s about embracing Him in love, loving Him deeper, and not letting go. Doing so may require us to get out of our comfort zones. Pastor Roy Ellis encouraged us not to fall into the trap of believing we have to do more and try harder because we will accomplish more by loving deeper than we will by trying harder!

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? -Song of Solomon 8:5

We all go through wilderness times, trials, and difficulties, but when we pursue God in the difficult times out of the motive of love, we will discover that He will give us the rest we need. Loving Him deeper results in the ability to face your trials in His strength and not your own. You can lean on Him! You can lean on your beloved!

“All your effort is futile in comparison with love! Love is the fire of our passion and nothing can quench that flame”

- Pastor Roy Ellis

Love is stronger than anything! When was the last time you lifted your hand in the air and said “God, I love you.” If it’s been a while, maybe now is the perfect moment to pursue God, out of pure deep love. There’s no need to try harder or accomplish the next thing, just take a moment to love God deeper.

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/k8bOHct8Xfc

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

5. Subscribe to EricGilbert.org using this link:https://www.ericgilbert.org/subscribe. You'll be able to receive updates directly to your email inbox as we post blogs every Monday, Thursday, and Friday morning.

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1) https://www.google.com/search?q=lovesick+definition&oq=lovesickd&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i10j46i10l2j0i10l4j46i10l2.6396j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Seven Questions to Evaluate Your Relationship with God

But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. - 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NKJV)

Paul reveals that there can be multiple vessels in the same house. Specifically, using the description of “a great house,” he shares that there can be gold, silver, wood, and clay vessels; but he clarifies that not all of them are for honorable use. There are dishonorable vessels too. His point: it’s not enough to just be in the house – even a great house – you have to personally choose to be a vessel that brings honor to God.

He further clarifies that to encourage honor in the vessels of those following God, Timothy must remind his audience of these things, “Shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase more ungodliness. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace...avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife…a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition…” (2 Timothy 2:14, 16, 22-25 NKJV)

First, the things that we must move away from:

1. SHUN inappropriate conversations

2. FLEE immature lusts

3. AVOID arguments with irrational people

4. REFUSE to quarrel needlessly
   

Now, the things we must do:

1. PURSUE faith, love, and peace

2. BE gentle

3. DEVELOP the ability to share Scriptural truth

4. EXEMPLIFY patience

5. DISPLAY humility when correcting someone

Continuing in our posts evaluating Samson's life, we again acknowledge that he was called to holiness. He was called to be set apart. But he became a dishonorable vessel.

You do not want to become a dishonorable vessel.

So, how do you know what type of spiritual vessel you are, honorable or dishonorable? First, you must choose to evaluate your life.

1. Have I surrendered my life to Jesus?

2. Am I shunning unholy things?

3. Am I fleeing immature lusts?

4. Am I pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace?

5. Am I avoiding strife-filled conversations?

6. Am I a gentle, teachable, and patient person?

7. Am I patient when attempting to correct others?

God wants to do something very awesome in your life! But you have to make sure you are a vessel unto the Lord, fully surrendered to do His will through you. Samson never learned this lesson!

Samson was always fighting against everyone else and could not seem to control the lust of his flesh. As a result, he never surrendered or expressed passion for God until his dying breath.

What if Samson had just surrendered to God?

What if he had nurtured his parents’ passion for God in his own life?

How would his story be different?

Samson can’t change his story. His life is concluded, and it is heartbreaking. But your story is still being written. You can change your story. You can be the vessel that God uses to bring glory to Himself. You can be the “honorable” vessel God uses to impact the lives of others! Allow God to do something extraordinary in your life. It’s time to pivot from a causal and meaningless relationship to a meaningful and powerful relationship with God!

You don’t want to end your life thinking about the “what if’s,” you want to live your days celebrating and remembering all the very awesome things God did for you and through you!

Please allow us to help you take your next step with God and join a meaningful community. REGISTER FOR A SMALL GROUP HERE: https://www.3trees.com/groups

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/1oio3Vr_UE4

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

That Was Awesome!

Judges 13:1-25 gives us the story of Samson’s parents, and interestingly, it is not Samson’s father, Manoah, who is revealed to be the spiritual thermostat in the household. Instead, he experienced a growing relationship with God only as a direct reflection of his wife's relationship with Heaven.

Although Samson’s mother’s name is not given in Scripture, she is the one who first receives an angelic visitation regarding a soon-coming birth. During her divine encounter, she is told that despite being barren, she will have a son, and he is to observe the Nazirite law from birth – being holy and set apart for God all of his days. She is so excited that she runs to share the fantastic news with her husband! In response, Manoah also began praying to receive proof from God of his wife’s revelation. Thankfully, the angel shows up again, speaking directly to Manoah. First, he responds with worship to the Lord for his goodness. Then, gathering an expensive sacrifice, he lays it on a rock and burns it unto the Lord. It is at this moment that the angel does something very awesome!

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So the woman came and told her husband, saying, “A Man of God came to me, and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome…So Manoah (made a sacrifice unto God)— it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground... (Judges 13:6, 19-20)

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Here, a significant transition happens in the original text of the Hebrew language. Up to this point, Manoah’s household has referred to God with the description of Adonai in the original text. But, following the extraordinary moment, they change the term to Elohim. This action is significant! Because Adonai signifies a general relationship with God, but Elohim relays personal – meaningful – connection. Transformation in their relationship with God is taking place! This revelation is so important to understand, as it represents their belief in God’s promise and demonstrates their faith and personal relationship with Him (1).

A meaningful connection was made at the altar that day!

God desires us to have that very moment with us! The moment when we move from a general relationship with Him into a meaningful connection with Him. He wants to do something very remarkable in your life! You can come into covenant with God, and it will be incredible! So stop going through the mundane motions of Christianity. God has more for you! God can move in your life just like He moved in the lives of Samson’s mother and father. Had Samson followed in his mother’s footsteps, maybe he could have avoided his downfall?

It is also essential to give this one final encouragement, as it is not to be missed. In the biographical sketch of Samson, his mother stands out in this story because of her commitment to God. Her faith brought Samson into this world and transformed her husband’s relationship with God. She was a model of faithfulness and attentiveness to God and His Word. If you are a woman or mother in an adverse situation spiritually, never underestimate the significance of your personal relationship with God and how it can affect anyone and everything around you!

I’m believing this for you, for our church, for our communities, and beyond. God is going to do something very awesome – something that changes the description of your relationship with Him from Adonai to Elohim!

Please allow us to help you take your next step with God and join a meaningful community. REGISTER FOR A SMALL GROUP HERE: https://www.3trees.com/groups

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/1oio3Vr_UE4

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

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(1) Anders and Phillips, Holman Old Testament Commentary, 186.