DOCSLIB.ORG

What God Says About Unconditional Love

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
What God Says About Unconditional Love WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE DAVID MERCK Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations in this publication are from the New King James Version. TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE Page: INTRODUCTION 2 PART ONE - GOD'S ELECTING OR CHOOSING LOVE 3 PART TWO - GOD'S COMMON OR GENERAL LOVE 11 PART THREE - GOD'S LOVE OF DELIGHT OR COMPLACENCY CHAPTER ONE - WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? 18 CHAPTER TWO - SHOULD WE IMITATE IT? 27 CHAPTER THREE - THE GREAT DIVIDE 32 CHAPTER FOUR - HOW DO WE MANIFEST LOATHING HATRED? 33 CHAPTER FIVE - HOW DO WE SHOW DELIGHTING LOVE? 39 CHAPTER SIX - WHAT SHOULD MOTIVATE US? 41 CHAPTER SEVEN - A MATTER OF DEGREES 47 CHAPTER EIGHT - WICKED FORMS OF LOATHING HATRED 50 CHAPTER NINE - OTHER GODLY FORMS OF DELIGHT IN MEN: 54 UNIT ONE - IN ALL MEN ON EARTH UNIT TWO - IN OUR CHILDREN UNIT THREE - IN OUR SPOUSE CHAPTER TEN - FURTHER QUALIFICATIONS 68 CONCLUSION 71 PREFACE The materials contained in this study, with some editing, reflect the contents of ten sermons preached at the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, MI, during the spring and summer of 1995. It is my hope and prayer that this study of the biblical materials regarding a popular theme of our day will be of much help to the people of God and others in forming their thinking according to the righteous and true mind of God, rather than according to the fancies of fallible and sinful men. January, 1996 2 WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE INTRODUCTION The subject of unconditional love is one which regularly confronts us from all directions. The ungodly world around us frequently talks about unconditional love. When the Hollywood movie, "Forest Gump" won an Oscar for best picture at the Academy Awards, one of its producers, Steve Tisch, was quoted as saying the following as he accepted the award: . Forrest Gump isn't about politics or conservative values. It's about humanity, it's about respect, tolerance, and unconditional love.(1) (bold added) The terminology of unconditional love can be traced to those involved in humanistic psychology and counselling. Martin and Deidre Bobgan write the following analysis as Christians questioning this perspective: Self-Esteem is a high-lighted buzz word of need psychology, along with the words unconditional love.(2) (bold added) Later on, the Bobgans continue: Among the stellar emotional needs of humanistic psychology are unconditional acceptance (by others), unconditional self-regard, unconditional self-acceptance, and unconditional love. The usual meaning of the word unconditional is `without conditions or reservations; absolute.' The practical extension of the theories of unconditional love is a permissive attitude and a morally nonrestrictive atmosphere. That means no conditions or restrictions in child rearing, counseling, and other human relationships. Adler and Maslow (humanistic psychologists) considered these `unconditionals' to be basic human needs, essential to a person's sense of well-being. They taught that people need to be loved and accepted unconditionally - without any conditions of performance. Adler, Maslow, Rogers and others believed that a human being will find answers to his own dilemmas and naturally blossom into his best self in an atmosphere of unconditional love and acceptance, by which they meant a permissive, unstructured atmosphere. The idea of people improving their life in an atmosphere of unconditional love is founded on the premise that people are born good and that their natural inclination to goodness is thwarted by their environment (mainly parents). In such a system, self is the victim of society but finds salvation, freedom, and fulfillment through unconditional self-love and self-acceptance. Unconditional love cannot be based upon performance or it wouldn't be unconditional. Therefore, it must be based on the intrinsic worth of the person. .(3) Now the well-instructed Christian immediately recognizes a number of serious errors in this teaching of the humanistic psychologists and others. For the humanists are purposefully ignoring the God of burning holiness who has declared that certain behavior is right and good, and certain behavior wrong and evil; and who in a judgmental and restrictive way demands that all men do what is right and good. Furthermore, because of man's fall into sin in the Garden, all men are not born good, but are inherently evil with a bad record and a bad heart from day one. Therefore, man's great need is not to be saved from the negative effects of his environment which inhibit his inherent goodness, or from an incorrectly bad self image. Man's greatest need is to be saved from the guilt and power and penalty of his sin which has alienated him from God and from others. If it was only secular humanists who spoke of unconditional love, this study might be ended fairly quickly. However, psychologists who are professing Christians, and many other well-respected Christian leaders who reject many of the assumptions of the humanists have still continued to use their terminology of unconditional love. Men like Dr. James Dobson speak of man's need for unconditional love. They speak of God as the supreme example and source of such unconditional love. And they tell us that we should show this unconditional love to others around us. Jerry Cook, an assistant pastor in a huge evangelical church in the state of Washington, has written the following in the book Love, Acceptance & Forgiveness which has 140,000 copies in print: 3 The minimal guarantee we must make to people is that they will be loved - always, under every circumstance, with no exception. The second guarantee is that they will be totally accepted, without reservation. We need to extend this love to everyone who comes into our church . .(4) How do we respond to such sweeping pronouncements by Christians? As with any issue, the final word does not lie with the opinions of men, whether they be humanists or those who confess Jesus Christ. The final word is to be found in the Word of God. Thus in this study we will be seeking to carefully search God's Word in order to answer the question, "What does God say about unconditional love?" Is there such a thing? Does God love men this way? Are we to love others this way? When we open our Bibles and study out all the uses of the major words for love, we discover that the answer to this question is not as simple as Pastor Cook's pronouncements might seem to make it. For the Bible confronts us with different degrees or dimensions of love - whether we speak of God's love for men, or of our love for others. Furthermore, when we take up the subject of unconditional love, it is crucial that we carefully define what is meant by the descriptive word, "unconditional", in light of the statements of the Word of God. Since the Scriptures clearly teach that God is love (1 John 4:8 & 16) and the God of love (2 Corinthians 13:11), our study will be structured overall according to the different dimensions of love which God shows to men. As we consider each of these dimensions of God's love, we will also seek to determine what our own duty is to our fellow men. Does God then love men with an unconditional love? The Bible answers that question - not with a "yes", or a "no". As with so many other issues, it answers it with both a "yes" and a "no". For the answer depends upon the dimension of God's love which is in view, and upon the way we define the word "unconditional". The Word of God confronts us with at least three different dimensions or degrees of God's love for men, and we will be focusing upon each one as we proceed. Consider then the first dimension of God's love for men: PART ONE - GOD'S ELECTING OR CHOOSING LOVE When most evangelical Christians talk about God's unconditional love, this aspect of His love could not be further from their minds, for many, if not most deny this aspect altogether. However, it is clearly taught in the Word of God. Please consider with me several elements of God's electing love. The first is: ITS STRIKING REALITY. Here I would direct you to Romans 9:10-13: 10And not, only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11(for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12it was said to her, `The older shall serve the younger.' 13As it is written, `Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.' The last verse of this passage speaks with particular forcefulness. The living God declares regarding two brothers that He loved one, Jacob, and hated one, Esau. And this word "hate" is the regular word for "hate". Many Arminian brethren quickly try to dilute the forcefulness of these words by declaring that God here was talking about His temporal blessings upon Jacob as unfolded in the nation of Israel - temporal blessings in which Esau and his offspring did not share. However, although there is an element of truth in this explanation, it is not the whole truth. For these twin brothers are not used here to illustrate the difference in the earthly fortunes of two nations. They instead are used to illustrate the different eternal, spiritual fortunes of two groups of mankind. Chapter nine begins with Paul expressing his great sorrow and unceasing grief for his unconverted fellow Israelites - so much so that he would be willing to be cursed himself eternally if they might be saved (verses 1-3).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Love Hunger ~ the Unseen Force
    Love Hunger ~ The Unseen Force By Roger Taylor Places In The Father’s Heart, Inc. Roger and Gerri Taylor www.placesinthefathersheart.org © 2008 by Roger & Gerri Taylor – all rights reserved Cover Design by David Ingram, Innovated Graphix ** Adapted from Blessing Your Spirit by Sylvia Gunter and Arthur Burk © 2005 The Father’s Business Used with permission. Scripture quotations marked “AMP” are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NLT or The New Living) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL. All rights reserved. Policies for Downloading Free eBook This eBook may be downloaded free of charge, emailed to friends and associates, copied and distributed in any way that is beneficial to the Body of Christ as our gift to you. It may not be sold. Please keep the material complete in its contents and the credits as they are shown. Copying and distribution of this material indicates that you agree with our Policies for Downloading. “And I will be your Father and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” II Corinthians 6:18 AMP Love Hunger – The Unseen Force Father's love supplies the power to live life in a Godly manner. Love hunger supplies the power to live life in an ungodly manner.
    [Show full text]
  • Blessing Is a Verb February 2, 2020 Unconditional Love Is an Incredible
    Blessing is a Verb February 2, 2020 Unconditional love is an incredible thing. Once I watched a parent of a child who almost certainly had a personality disorder. A significant one. This child, we will call her Liz, would lie, cheat, steal, manipulate. She had no sense of or care for the feelings of others. When asked why she did terrible things she would say she was curious, or she wanted to, or she was bored. If she was not the center of attention, a major disruption would ensue. She was also charming. And she would be very affectionate – if there was something she wanted, or if it took attention away from someone else. Her mother, let’s call her Jill, had longed for this child. Waited a long time to have her. She wasn’t an overly permissive parent. She was, in fact, sometimes pretty strict. And you could watch her melt when Liz would smile. It was a lovely smile. It disappeared as soon as the desired reaction was achieved from it. My friend hadn’t spent much time with Liz and other kids. SO when she would hear complaints, it was easy for her to say kids are kids. Until we started to spend time together, and she was confronted herself with her child’s behavior. It took a long time, but eventually Jill began to see that her daughter’s behavior was beyond the realm of normal. By then there was evidence of animals, and other kids being hurt. I’ll confess, I had no idea how to tell Jill that the prognosis for improvement in someone like Liz who is not in regular therapy by puberty to really change their thinking is not good.
    [Show full text]
  • Psychotherapists' Beliefs and Attitudes Towards
    PSYCHOTHERAPISTS’ BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS POLYAMORY A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BY SHANNON L. STAVINOHA, M.A. DENTON, TEXAS AUGUST 2017 TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY DENTON, TEXAS July 01, 2016 To the Dean of the Graduate School: I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Shannon L. Stavinoha entitled “Psychotherapists’ Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Polyamory.” I have examined this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Counseling Psychology. _______________________________ Jeff Harris, Ph.D., Major Professor We have read this dissertation and recommend its acceptance: ____________________________________ Debra Mollen, Ph.D. ____________________________________ Claudia Porras Pyland, Ph.D. ____________________________________ Lisa Rosen, Ph.D. ____________________________________ Shannon Scott, Ph.D., Department Chair Accepted: _______________________________ Dean of the Graduate School Copyright © Shannon L. Stavinoha, 2016 all right reserved. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge and share my personal gratitude with those who were involved in this project. I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Harris for his valuable assistance, tireless guidance, patience, and belief in me. I would also like to acknowledge the following professors at Texas Woman's University: Dr. Stabb, Dr. Rubin, and Dr. Mollen for their support and guidance. I am grateful to Dr. Rosen and Dr. Porras-Pyland, who served as valuable members of my dissertation committee. I would like to thank my mother, my eternal cheerleader, for walking by my side through all the ups and the downs and always supporting me; I owe it all to you.
    [Show full text]
  • Playing with Fire: an Ethnographic Look at How Polyamory Functions in the Central Florida Burner Community
    University of Central Florida STARS HIM 1990-2015 2015 Playing with Fire: An Ethnographic Look at How Polyamory Functions in the Central Florida Burner Community Maleia Mikesell University of Central Florida Part of the Anthropology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015 University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in HIM 1990-2015 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Mikesell, Maleia, "Playing with Fire: An Ethnographic Look at How Polyamory Functions in the Central Florida Burner Community" (2015). HIM 1990-2015. 613. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/613 PLAYING WITH FIRE: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC LOOK AT HOW POLYAMORY FUNCTIONS IN THE CENTRAL FLORIDA BURNER COMMUNITY by MALEIA MIKESELL A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Honors in the Major Program in Anthropology In the College of Sciences and in the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Spring Term 2015 Thesis Chair: Dr. Beatriz Reyes-Foster Abstract This thesis asks the question as to whether polyamory functions as a community glue or solvent for the Central Florida Burner Community. It explores the definition of polyamory and how it relates to the Burner counter-culture. This thesis explores what polyamory’s effects are on the individual and community levels for those who participate in it. The findings concluded that overall the participants reported a perceived positive impact on both the individual level and on community cohesion in this case.
    [Show full text]
  • Indigenous Relationality: Women, Kinship and the Law
    Article Indigenous Relationality: Women, Kinship and the Law Patricia Dudgeon 1,* and Abigail Bray 2 1 School of Indigenous Studies, The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009, Australia 2 Independent Researcher, London N7 8AN, UK; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +61-86-488-3428 Received: 19 February 2019; Accepted: 23 April 2019; Published: 26 April 2019 Abstract: Strong female governance has always been central to one of the world’s oldest existing culturally diverse, harmonious, sustainable, and democratic societies. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s governance of a country twice the size of Europe is based on complex laws which regulate relationships to country, family, community, culture and spirituality. These laws are passed down through generations and describe kinship systems which encompass sophisticated relations to the more-than-human. This article explores Indigenous kinship as an expression of re- lationality, culturally specific and complex Indigenous knowledge systems which are founded on a connection to the land. Although Indigenous Australian women’s kinships have been disrupted through dispossession from the lands they belong to, the forced removal of their children across generations, and the destruction of their culture, community and kinship networks, the survival of Indigenous women’s knowledge systems have supported the restoration of Indigenous relational- ity. The strengthening of Indigenous women’s kinship is explored as a source of social and emo-
    [Show full text]
  • Is Unconditional Love Possible?
    Aporia vol. 31 no. 1—2021 Is Unconditional Love Possible? MORGAN LANHAM hat is the highest aim of romantic love? I believe the answer to this question has important implications within our current, if W not future, romantic relationships. Thanks to King Solomon, we read of romantic love in all of its shame and glory. In the mind of Sigmuend Freud, the grand aim of romantic love was the physical union of the sexes while St. Augustine, the renowned theologian, would argue that Freud’s conception of romantic love falls upon the grounds of lust, not love. And traditionally, philosophers have argued that romantic love in the unconditional sense is simply impossible. Within the contents of this paper, I seek to examine the relationship between unconditional love and romantic relationships. I argue that unconditional love is possible within the context of romantic relationships. Using a paradigm case of Levin and Kitty’s relationship from Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, I will illustrate how this is possible. While it may be appropriate to explore the aspect of unconditional love in regards to familial relationships, this is outside the scope of this paper, and I will solely focus on romantic relationships. The paper is divided into nine sections. I begin by providing definitions of what I mean by unconditional love, romantic love, and Morgan Lanham is a senior at Brigham Young University, set to graduate in April with a BA in philosophy and Russian. He plans to attend law school in the Fall of 2022. His philosophical interests include logic, scholasticism, and political philosophy.
    [Show full text]
  • God's (“Unconditional”) Love: It's Moral, It's Conditional
    God’s (“Unconditional”) Love: It’s Moral, It’s Conditional By Stephen Gola Is the “love” of God conditional or unconditional? It is BOTH, depending upon “relationship”: “Non-relationship love” is unconditional. “Relationship love” is conditional. 1. God’s “non-relationship love” is what unconditionally draws us as “sinners” to a holy God to receive the conditions of salvation — the new birth. For God SO LOVED THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16.) 2. God’s “relationship love” is what conditionally offers us as “His children” an intimate relationship with God through continual obedience to His voice and commandments. He who HAS MY COMMANDMENTS AND KEEPS THEM, it is he who loves Me. And HE WHO LOVES ME will be loved by my father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. (John 14:21. For the most part in this teaching, we will deal with “relationship love” which is a “conditional love.” Not understanding the difference between the two has caused great hardship and many lives to be hurt. The Lord has restored these truths to heal His people. Four Kinds of Love There are four kinds of “love” needed to make a marriage relationship complete. They are AGAPE, PHILEO, STORGE, and EROS. All are essential in a marriage. The highest form of these types of love is agape. Agape love is an unselfish committed love. It loves when all other types of love quit, and cares when there is no apparent reason to care.
    [Show full text]
  • Unconditional Love Today I Am Speaking on Love…And
    Unconditional Love Today I am speaking on Love…and unconditional love. We all think we understand the concept of love. We are going to explore that concept, then we are going to go deeper into a discussion of unconditional love. Our concept of love starts early in life. There is a love for mother, then father, brother & sister. We may love a pet or a favourite toy or possession. Generally our concept for love doesn’t go much further than extended family until we are older. At some point we recognize a longing to share with someone else. That is usually a romantic love, which is new territory on the map of love. Pre-pubescents considered the opposite sex to have “cutties”. Then suddenly there is an unexpected attraction that changes everything. At this point we are dealing with a new type of love that is all consuming, at times. There is a desire to be with that person and to be loved back by that person that borders on “neediness”. In rather short order we expand our concept of love to include someone we want to share everything with Often the next expansion of the concept of love comes with children. This is different from romantic love, but a very powerful connection develops between a parent and a child. At this point we are on the cusp of experiencing unconditional love probably for the first time. A child can have bad behaviour. They can disappoint and cause emotional hurt. However, you still hold on to the love a parent has for their child.
    [Show full text]
  • Love and Dating
    _________________ LOVE DATING MARRIAGE SEX INTRODUCTION: • On Thursday nights we are going verse by verse through the Bible and we’re in the Book of Song of Solomon known as the Book of Love • Today we want to talk about Love And Dating • Now you might think… I’m past that • You might be, but then again maybe we should never be • Maybe dating is something that we should never stop doing, even after we are married • So I want to talk about something that relates to all of us • Single and Married… the topic of Love and Dating • Today we will examine 3 qualities of love and 3 qualities of dating The first quality of love is… God created love to be multifaceted Song of Solomon 1:2 (NKJV) THE SHULAMITE 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— For your love is better than wine. • There are several different words used to represent all the different dimensions of love • The word used in vs. 2 is the Hebrew word dawd for romantic love • It speaks of love that is receptive, open, giving to others • It is a love that is consummated physically or is physically complete • It speaks of physical intimacy… It’s baby making love However in vs. 3 another kind of love is mentioned Song of Solomon 1:3 (NKJV) 3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. This is the word used for love between two people • It’s the Hebrew Word ahava • It’s the love that is referred to in Leviticus when it says to love your neighbor as yourself • It’s the love that God loves us with and the love we love God with Solomon used a third word for love in Proverbs 20:28… Proverbs 20:28 (NKJV) LOVE AND DATING / Ecclesiastes 9:11 © 2014 Holland Davis _________________ LOVE DATING MARRIAGE SEX 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.
    [Show full text]
  • Recovering from an Affair and Divorce
    Recovering From An Affair And Divorce Lateritious and feudalistic Virgilio derate so unpitifully that Hew spaes his stainers. Ravil is perceptible and scrapings tolerably while high-fidelity Mikhail cobs and digresses. Acarine Anurag overlies some snuggles after carlish Dickie dabbles baggily. How divorce or divorced with affairs last article will recover from recovering from becoming etched into possible? For and divorce, divorce support and repentant and saw the signs of? If the affair from and an divorce anyone who is not to become stronger than after posting facebook account his whore phone counseling for the news is a mindfulness kit for? Her on is and from recovering an affair divorce after infidelity would have been cheated to sink and more knowledgeable and. Schedule free consultation today. King david to forgive me and begging me through the bullshit excuse or affair from recovering an and divorce proceedings, recovering from himself as it? Holding onto resentment is like swallowing poison and hoping the other person dies. He should divorce in recovering from the word people make your partner: extramarital affair and every family falls into full blown to divorce from recovering an affair and process with no, weiss offers relationship. Audrey and an individual will lead to adjust in recovering from recovering an affair and divorce. Need some tips on chilling out? Wow, in the heat of the moment, rather than to reconciliation. Sometimes moving on is an illusion, give it your best shot. Now and months to feel peace in complete disconnect is from recovering and an affair divorce, she realized how your marriage therapist ever endorse companies or each have.
    [Show full text]
  • V. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION
    OUTLINE – Safe Environment Program Salt Lake / Amarillo V. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION K-3 Unconditional Love, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation (primary level – outline) II “God Loves Us Unconditionally” (Core) III “How Do We Show Love to One Another?” (Core) IV “God Forgives Us and Asks Us to Forgive” (Core) Showing Love Love Your Neighbor Showing I’m Sorry Who is truly Sorry? 4-6 Unconditional Love, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation (upper level – outline) II “God Loves Us Unconditionally” (Core) III “How Do We Show Love to One Another?” (Core) IV “God Forgives Us and Asks Us to Forgive” (Core) “Love is…” crossword “Love is…” How Am I? Understanding Reconciliation Cycle of Violence 7-12 Unconditional Love, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation (upper level – outline) II “God Loves Us Unconditionally” (Core) III “How Do We Show Love to One Another?” (Core) IV “God Forgives Us and Asks Us to Forgive” (Core) “Love is…” Word Search “Love is…” How Am I? Understanding Reconciliation Cycle of Violence Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo Safe Environment Training Program Right Relationships Concept: V. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION Upper Level Grades 4 – 12 Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo The Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is committed to the protection of children and Young people. HOW TO REPORT NON-CHURCH V. UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, RELATED CHILD/SEXUAL ABUSE: If you are a family member, a victim of abuse, FORGIVENESS and or aware of abuse, please contact the following: RECONCILIATION Children’s Protective Services Right Relationships provides children and 1-800-252-5400 young people with a foundation for understanding that human relationships are Your Local Law Enforcement Agency based on God’s unconditional love for us HOW TO REPORT POSSIBLE CHURCH and His desire for each of us to love one RELATED CHILD/SEXUAL ABUSE: If you another.
    [Show full text]
  • Justifying Grace Outlines
    SECOND CLERGY TALK TALK #4 JUSTIFYING GRACE Overview of All Talks One message is delivered during The Walk to Emmaus 72-hour experience; it is communicated throughout the music, meals, clergy meditations, attitudes and actions of the team members, and the talks. You have been selected to deliver one of the 15 talks. In reality, you will deliver 1/15 of the Emmaus talk—one message, fifteen presenters. Prepare your talk using the outlines provided. In general, 2/3 of your presentation will come from the outlines; the remaining 1/3 will come from your original insights and personal experience. The talks are sequenced in a defined order; each builds on the next to provide pilgrims with the complete message of Emmaus. Do not try to cover more than your assigned topic. The expanded outline intends to provide a solid understanding of the material from which your talk will be developed. The abbreviated outline helps you see the progression of the main points. Neither outline is a script ; you will need to add personal examples to give life to the content and make it real to the hearers. Use visual aids to help convey the main points. The Holy Spirit, as well as feedback from the team after your talk preview, will provide additional guidance for your unique presentation of this talk. Once you incorporate the sug- gestions offered after your preview, your presentation no longer belongs just to you but to the team God is forming to deliver the Emmaus message. This presentation is allotted a maximum of 20 to 25 minutes.
    [Show full text]