The Answer Is Not Trying Harder, It’s 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.

In Greek, the word agapē is the highest form of love. In the New Testament, it is the fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God. (1)

The Apostle Peter, was asked by Jesus “Do you agapē me?”, two times. And each time Jesus asked Apostle Peter this question, he responded by saying, “Lord you know I philia you.”

In Greek, the word philia means “affectionate regard, friendship”, usually “between equals”. (2)

Pastor Roy Ellis points out that at this time Peter had just denied Jesus three times, and he may have felt very ashamed and unworthy of the highest form of love Jesus was asking for. Peter had messed up, some might say he blew it, but each time Jesus receives his answer He reminds him of his purpose... reaffirming him and loving him.

The third time Jesus asks him, he says “Peter do you philia me?” This is powerful, it shows us that Jesus met Peter right where he was. He came down to his level, but He was also showing Peter just how far he could go. That he could move from philia to agapē love, there was room to go deeper with Jesus.

“Sometimes you and I, we know God loves us. But sometimes we blow it! And we don’t feel worthy of His love, and the enemy uses that to try and prevent us from loving deeper. In essence, the answer is loving deeper to fulfill your purpose.”

- Pastor Roy Ellis

We all have a purpose to fulfill, but it is very hard for us to accomplish what God has planned for us by just trying harder. It’s loving deeper that enables us to step into true service to others. It is through deep love that God enables us to do more. He takes us to a deeper, more meaningful life, through our love of Him and others.

“The Martha’s in the church haven’t discovered the blessing of the Mary’s”.

- Pastor Roy Ellis

Martha is busy preparing something the Lord didn’t ask for. She’s trying harder, but Mary knew that loving Jesus was enough. Mary pursued Him first, she listened to Him, she positioned herself in a position of love and adoration for Jesus.

Trying harder may result in us failing. The Apostle Peter tried harder but ended up denying Jesus three times, but Jesus's response to Peter was love. The love of God will change your heart faster than any amount of effort you can put forth.

You can accomplish a lot for the Kingdom of God when you do it out of the motivation of deep love for God. You may find that when you are doing things with the right motivation, deep love for God, you can accomplish more than if you are trying and striving harder. You don’t become frustrated, worn out, anxious, or face spiritual burnout if your motivation comes from the right place.

“The answer is not trying harder, the answer is loving deeper. For when we love deeper we will serve His purpose for our lives more effectively.”

- Pastor Roy Ellis.

It’s time for us to desire God more. To love Him deeply. It’s time to stop striving and trying harder, and just lift our hands saying, “Father, I agapē you, I live for you.” No amount of work will earn you a seat in Heaven, it is only surrendering to Jesus, and loving Him deeply with the right motivation.

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

- 1 Corinthians 13:13

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.

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1) agape | Definition, Scripture, & Uses - Encyclopedia Britannica

2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_words_for_love

God Is...LOVE

Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God for God is love. -1 John 4:7-8 NKJV

Are you becoming a more loving person? If not, you may be missing the most important part of being a Christian, because God is love we must love abundantly too. We are to love God with our whole heart, mind, and soul, because if we do not, Satan can steal our hearts away from the love of God.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. - 1 John 2:15

John warns us not to be in love with the things of this world but love God. How much space is God occupying in your heart compared to other things?

Nothing is better for a man that he should eat and drink and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw was from the hand of God.

-Ecclesiastes 2:24.

Do a full evaluation of what you love, is it your car, your house, your boat, a particular person, your family, your garden, sports, a job, music, money, sex, or status. Remember where your treasure is, so is your heart. We live in a beautiful world, and we are to enjoy these beautiful things and enjoy our lives, but we must be careful not to let these beautiful things replace God in our lives or become our idols.

The love of God will change you...it will change your identity. We live in a world where many people are going through an identity crisis. They no longer know who they are, and it is creating a regression in our nation through division, anger, hatred, separation, tribalism, blaming, and victimization. So many people feel good and behave badly because they have not accepted the love of God in their lives. They do not know they are children of God, extravagantly and abundantly loved. Being a Child of God is the only identity that matters because every other identity will pass away.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God. -1 John 3:1

God’s love is given lavishly to His children. We will never truly be able to understand the depth of God’s love, and nothing can separate us from the love of God. We are children of God not because we love Him, but because He loves us. God does not want anyone to perish eternally but desires every one of us to have a born-again experience.

By this, we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay our lives down for our brothers. - 1 John 3:16

Godly love equals obedience. Love is not a feeling, it is an act of will. Love obeyed must be displayed. We are meant to be ambassadors of God. We show our love to God by our actions, practices, giving, keeping God's commandments, and loving others! You can express the love of God right where you are. It starts right within our homes, our neighborhoods, places of employment, and local churches.

For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.-1 John 5:3

Because God loves us we must love others. If you are feeling like you have been struggling with loving God or loving others lately I invite you to watch this message by Dr. Terry Swan, Cross Training, out of our God Is… series. It will transform the way you think about God’s love.

“Love is more caught than it is taught.”

- Dr. Terry Swan

I invite you to view this message from Dr Terry Swan, God Is...LOVE, in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/I6I9cB90Fng

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES