Taking my youngest son shopping with me is quite the experience. At 4 years old, he has mastered the “I need this” and “I want that” requests, and yes, I use the term requests very loosely. But he soon realizes that he actually does not need any of those things, even if the process involves […]
1 John 4:19-21 // Love: Week 7
February 13, 2022Pastor Frank Bowden Sermon Notes 1 John 4:19-21We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have […]
Fear and Love Do Not Mix
Oil and water do not mix! Go ahead and try with an at-home experiment. I suppose one good gift we have in culture that models this chemistry is a lava lamp. While a lava lamp uses wax and mineral oil, it still demonstrates the same principle. Whether it be a home experiment with oil, water, […]
1 John 4:17-18 // Love: Week 6
February 6, 2022Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. Don’t Worry Be Happy 1 John 4:17aBy this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, Our confidence will grow as we walk with the Father II. More, More About Jesus 1 John 4:17bbecause as he is so also […]
Living Illustrations of Love
I must admit that I failed a class in college. This was a humbling experience for me. I’d never failed a class in my life! Of all courses, it was music and art appreciation. What should be a cake walk became a thorn in my side. Perhaps it was disinterest or the heavy memory recall […]
1 John 4:15-16: Love Week 5
January 30, 2022Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. Love Changes Everything 1 John 4:15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. A. Confession Jesus is King whether we acknowledge Him or not. 2 Corinthians 5:1717 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. […]
Love Notes
We are blessed with two amazing daughters. God has truly answered prayers as they have matured into God-fearing young women. Looking back on their earlier years, I recall moments of separation anxiety, especially when they first started school. My thoughtful wife took the time to write creative notes with fun art and Scripture references. Every […]
1 John 4:13-14 – Love: Week 4
January 23, 2022Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. A Reassuring Inheritance 1 John 4:13By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 1 John 3:24Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides […]
Reflecting His Image
Recently I was in downtown Atlanta and passed a statue of the great heavyweight champion, Evander Holyfield. This beautiful statute was revealed and dedicated in June of 2021, and I was able to see it for the first time. Immediately I recognized Evander and was flooded with memories of driving past his home in high […]
1 John 4:11-12 – Love: Week 4
January 16, 2022Pastor Ricky Smith Sermon Notes I. Mirror Image 1 John 4:11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 3:16By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.Our responsibility to love sincerely […]