Holding God's Hand

1 A LITTLE GIRL WAS STANDING ON THE CURB OF A VERY BUSY STREET • SHE WANTED TO CROSS THE STREET BUT SHE WAS INEXPERIENCED, • THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND SHE WAS AFRAID. • AS THE LITTLE GIRL WAS ABOUT TO STEP INTO THE STREET • A BIG, STRONG POLICEMAN CAME UP • AND REACHED OUT FOR THE HAND OF THE LITTLE GIRL • PUTTING HER LITTLE HAND IN HIS BIG HAND • THE TWO OF THEM STEPPED OUT INTO THE STREET • THE HEART OF THE LITTLE GIRL WAS STILL TREMBLING • AS THEY CROSSED THE STREET SHE KEPT HER EYES FIXED ON THEIR HANDS • SHE DID NOT LOOK AT BIG CARS, SHE ONLY SAW HER HAND IN HIS • THEY MOVED AHEAD AND SOON WERE SAFE ON THE OTHER SIDE • THE LITTLE GIRL'S SAFETY, DID NOT DEPEND UPON HER HOLDING ON • TO THE POLICEMAN’S HAND, BUT ON HIS HAND HOLDING ONTO HERS • SEEING HER HAND WAS IN HIS HAND • ASSURED HER SHE WOULD MAKE IT ACROSS THE STREET • IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE WE ARE CALLED TO HAVE • CONFIDENCE AND ASSURANCE OF OUR ETERNAL DESTINY • WE NEED TO KNOW THAT LOVING ONE ANOTHER • IN ACTS OF SERVICE, SACRIFICIALLY CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER • CAN GREATLY HELP US IN HAVING ASSURANCE AND CONFIDENCE • ABOUT OUR SALVATION AND OUR WALK WITH GOD • TODAY WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT JOHN • INSTRUCTING HIS READERS TO LOVE OTHERS • IN TRUE ACTS OF SERVICE NOT JUST IN WORDS • TURN TO 1 JOHN 3:18 • JOHN HAD EXPLAINED THAT WE KNOW WHAT LOVE IS • BY THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST GIVING HIS LIFE FOR US • JOHN HAD TOLD THEM THEY OUGHT TO LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR ONE ANOTHER • HE HAD GONE ON TO SAY THAT IF THEY HAVE ALL THEY NEED • THEY SHOULD NOT CLOSE THEIR HEART TO THOSE IN REAL NEED 1 JOHN 3:18–20 LITTLE CHILDREN, LET US NOT LOVE WITH WORD OR WITH TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND TRUTH. WE WILL KNOW BY THIS THAT WE ARE OF THE TRUTH, AND WILL ASSURE OUR HEART BEFORE HIM IN WHATEVER OUR HEART CONDEMNS US; FOR GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART AND KNOWS ALL THINGS. HOLDING GOD’S HAND MEANS ACTIONS NOT WORDS • THE TRUE TEST OF LOVE IS NOT FOUND IN WHAT WE SAY • THE TRUE TEST OF LOVE IS WHAT WE ARE WILLING TO DO • LITTLE CHILDREN, LET US NOT LOVE WITH WORD OR WITH TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND TRUTH. • NOW UNDERSTAND NOT JUST ANY DEEDS WILL DO • NOTICE HOW JOHN SAYS IN DEED AND TRUTH • THIS WORD TRUTH IS ADDED BECAUSE EVEN ACTIONS CAN BY HYPOCRITICAL • THE KIND OF DEEDS JOHN IS TALKING ABOUT HERE • ARE TRUE ACTS OF SACRIFICIAL LOVE • ACTS NOT MOTIVATED TO IMPRESS OR GAIN FAVOR • BUT DEEDS OF SERVICE DONE IN LOVE • WHEN WE DO TRUE ACTS OF COMPASSION AND KINDNESS • WE ARE WALKING WITH GOD AS HE WOULD HAVE US LIVE • WE ARE IN EFFECT HOLDING HIS HAND AS WE WALK • AND JUST LIKE THAT LITTLE GIRL… WE CAN LOOK AT OUR HAND IN HIS • WHEN WE ARE DOING THESE DEEDS OF TRUE LOVE • WE CAN HAVE ASSURANCE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD • OF OUR WALK WITH GOD HOLDING GOD’S HAND CONFIRMS OUR POSITION • WHEN WE KNOW WE ARE WALKING WITH GOD • ABIDING IN CHRIST WE WILL HAVE ASSURANCE OF OUR POSITION IN CHRIST • IF WE HAVE TRUSTED IN CHRIST’S WORK AT THE CROSS • WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD, CITIZENS OF HEAVEN, ETERNALLY SAVED….. • BUT THE TRUTH IS SOMETIMES WE DON’T FEEL CHILDREN OF GOD • JOHN UNDERSTANDS THIS, HE KNOWS THE FALSE TEACHERS • HAVE BEEN TELLING THESE PEOPLE THEY ARE NOT CHILDREN OF GOD • THEY ARE NOT SAVED THEY ARE NOT CITIZENS OF HEAVEN • SO JOHN TELLS THEM SOMETHING • THEY CAN LOOK AT, SOMETHING THEY CAN SEE • TO KNOW, TO CONFIRM THEIR POSITION • HE SAYS; WE WILL KNOW BY THIS THAT WE ARE OF THE TRUTH, • THE WORD THIS REFERS TO THEIR TRUE DEEDS OF LOVE • THEIR SACRIFICIAL SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER • AND JOHN TELLS THEM THEY CAN KNOW BY THESE DEEDS • THAT THEY ARE IN FACT “OF THE TRUTH”… • WHEN ONE IS OF THE TRUTH ONE IS ALIGNED WITH JESUS CHRIST JOHN 18:37 FOR THIS I HAVE COME INTO THE WORLD, TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. EVERYONE WHO IS OF THE TRUTH HEARS MY VOICE.” • SO IF WE ARE DOING TRUE DEEDS • OF SACRIFICIAL SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER • NOT JUST TALKING A GOOD GAME ABOUT HOW MUCH WE LOVE PEOPLE • WE ARE WALKING WITH, ABIDING IN CHRIST • OUR POSITION IS THAT OF CHILD OF GOD, CITIZEN OF HEAVEN • AND THIS SHOULD GIVE US ASSURANCE AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK • WE CAN LOOK AT THESE ACTS • AND SEE OUR HAND IN GOD’S HAND AS WE WALK.. • AND THIS WILL ASSURE OUR HEART BEFORE HIM, IN WHATEVER OUR HEART CONDEMNS US. • AND SOMETIMES OUR HEARTS NEED ASSURANCE HOLDING GOD’S HAND HELPS US WALK • AT TIMES WE CAN BE PARALYZED BY SELF CONDEMNATION • THIS HAPPENS WHEN WE PAY MORE ATTENTION TO OUR FEELINGS THAN GOD’S WORD • WE CAN END UP CONDEMNING OUR SELVES IN MATTERS THAT • GOD DOES NOT CONDEMN US FOR • NOW THIS IS NOT TO SAY WE SHOULD NEVER FEEL CONDEMNATION • WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE WHERE THIS CONDEMNATION IS COMING FROM • WHEN WE FEEL CONVICTION • WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTING US • AND NOT OUR OWN HEARTS. JOHN TELLS HIS READERS • FOR GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART AND KNOWS ALL THINGS. • THE WORLD SAYS OVER AND OVER LISTEN TO YOUR HEART.. FOLLOW YOUR HEART.. • BUT, THE TRUTH IS OUR HEARTS CAN BE VERY WRONG JEREMIAH 17:9 “THE HEART IS MORE DECEITFUL THAN ALL ELSE AND IS DESPERATELY SICK; WHO CAN UNDERSTAND IT? • OUR HEART MAY THINK SOME ACTION IS PERFECTLY OK • BUT GOD HAS SAID IT IS A GREAT SIN • OUR HEART MAY CONVICT US THAT SOMETHING WE HAVE DONE • IS A TERRIBLE THING AND WE HAVE GREAT GUILT • AND YET GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS, HE IS GREAT THAN OUR HEART….. • WHEN WE ARE HOLDING GOD’S HAND, WALKING WITH CHRIST • ABIDING IN HIM, WE WILL NOT LISTEN TO WHAT OUR HEART SAYS • WE WILL LISTEN ONLY TO WHAT GOD HAS SAID • WE WILL REJECT SELF CONDEMNATION AND SELF CRITICISM • OUR HEARTS CAN BE ASSURED THAT WE ARE IN FACT HOLDING GOD’S HAND • WALKING WITH HIM, ABIDING IN CHRIST • WHEN WE DO TRUE DEEDS OF SACRIFICIAL SERVICE FOR OTHERS • THESE NEED NOT BE BIG GRAND GESTURES • TRUE DEEDS OF SERVICE CAN BE AS SIMPLE • AS HELPING SOMEONE GET TO THE DR’S OFFICE • TAKING THEM A MEAL WHEN THEY ARE NOT WELL • HELPING THEM CHANGE A FLAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD • THEY DO NOT NEED TO COST GREAT SUMS OF MONEY • THE KEY TO THESE DEEDS IS THAT THEY BE FROM THE HEART • OUT OF LOVE, NOT DONE TO IMPRESS • OR OUT OF SELF INTEREST • BUT OUT OF CARE AND CONCERN FOR ONE ANOTHER… • AND WHEN WE DO THESE TRUE DEEDS OF LOVE • WE CAN BE ASSURED AND HAVE CONFIDENCE • THAT WE ARE IN FACT HOLDING GOD’S HAND THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY TOLD OF MCLEOD CAMPBELL • THE SCOTTISH PREACHER • ONE DAY A FRIEND CAME TO HIM IN SPIRITUAL CONFUSION • "TELL ME, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS GOT HOLD OF GOD?" • FOR A LONG MINUTE THE MINISTER WAS SILENT, • AND THEN, WITH A GREAT WISTFULNESS IN HIS EYES, HE SAID: • "HOW DO I KNOW THAT I HAVE ALWAYS GOT HOLD OF GOD! • I DON'T ALWAYS KNOW; BUT I DO KNOW HE ALWAYS HAS HOLD OF ME!" • THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE ASSURANCE • TO KNOW THAT GOD ALWAYS HAS A HOLD OF US (PAUSE) • AND WHEN WE HAVE THIS ASSURANCE • WE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE WHEN WE TURN TO GOD IN PRAYER 1 JOHN 3:21–22 BELOVED, IF OUR HEART DOES NOT CONDEMN US, WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD; AND WHATEVER WE ASK WE RECEIVE FROM HIM, BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND DO THE THINGS THAT ARE PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT. CONFIDENT THAT GOD HOLDS OUR HAND • WHEN WE ALLOW OUR HEART TO GUIDE US AND NOT GOD • WE CAN END UP LACKING ASSURANCE AND CONFIDENCE • THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANY OF US • NOTICE HOW JOHN INCLUDES HIMSELF BY SAYING OUR ,US AND WE • BELOVED, IF OUR HEART DOES NOT CONDEMN US, WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD; • IF THE APOSTLE JOHN CAN HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO HIM • WE ALL NEED TO BE AWARE IT CAN HAPPEN TO US • WE CAN AVOID LETTING OUR HEART CONDEMN US • BY UNDERSTANDING THAT • GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART AND KNOWS ALL THINGS • WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THIS WE WILL LISTEN TO GOD AND NOT OUR HEARTS • WE WILL LEAN ON GOD AND NOT OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING • WHEN WE DO THIS WE WILL HAVE CONFIDENCE TO COME TO GOD • ONE WAY WE COME TO GOD IS IN PRAYER WE HOLD GOD’S HAND WHEN WE PRAY • OUR PRAYERS CAN PRAISE GOD GIVING HIM THANKS FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE • OUR PRAYERS CAN CONTAIN CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE FOR OUR SINS • OUR PRAYERS CAN BE FILLED WITH APPEALS FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHERS • OUR PRAYERS CAN AND SHOULD HAVE REQUESTS FOR OUR NEEDS • JOHN TELLS HIS READERS THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN • HAVING CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD AND RECEIVING WHAT WE ASK FOR • AND WHATEVER WE ASK WE RECEIVE FROM HIM, • THAT LITTLE WORD AND MEANS THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN • HAVING CONFIDENCE AND RECEIVING WHAT WE ASK • NOW THIS CONNECTION DOES NOT MEAN IT IS THE CONFIDENCE • THAT MAKES US GET WHAT WE ASK FOR. • THE CONFIDENCE IS A RESULT OF OUR HAND BEING IN GOD’S HAND • THE CONFIDENCE IS A RESULT OF US WALKING WITH GOD, ABIDING IN CHRIST • AND THAT IS WHY WE GET WHAT WE ASK • IF WE ARE WALKING WITH GOD, ABIDING IN CHRIST • WE WILL NOT ASK FOR ANYTHING OUT SIDE OF GOD’S WILL • AND THEREFORE WE WILL GET WHAT WE ASK FOR • JOHN MAKES THIS VERY CLEAR LATER IN THIS SAME BOOK 1 JOHN 5:14 THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE WHICH WE HAVE BEFORE HIM, THAT, IF WE ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, HE HEARS US. HOLDING GOD’S HAND MEANS OBEYING • WE NEED TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE SIN • WE HAVE LET GO OF GOD’S HAND • WE ARE NOT WALKING WITH HIM • AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND WE ARE WALKING IN SIN • IF WE ASK FOR SOMETHING FROM GOD • HE MAY WITH HOLD IT • JOHN TELLS HIS READERS • BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND DO THE THINGS THAT ARE PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT. • THAT WORD BECAUSE MEANS THIS IS THE REASON • WHATEVER WE ASK WE RECEIVE FROM HIM • AGAIN THIS DOES NOT MEAN WE EARN WHAT WE ASK FOR BY OBEDIENCE • IT IS NOT THAT WHEN OBEY WE GET WHAT WE WANT • IT IS THAT WHEN WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS AND DO THE THINGS THAT ARE PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT • WE WILL ONLY ASK…. FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE PART OF HIS WILL • AND THEREFORE WHATEVER WE ASK WE RECEIVE FROM HIM • OUR OBEDIENCE DOES NOT MAKE GOD GIVE US WHAT WE ASK FOR • OUR OBEDIENCE IS THE REASON WE ONLY ASK FOR THINGS THAT ARE HIS WILL A MAN HAD A HABIT OF GRUMBLING • AT THE FOOD HIS WIFE PLACED BEFORE HIM AT FAMILY MEALS. • THEN HE WOULD ASK THE BLESSING AND THANK GOD FOR THE FOOD. • ONE DAY AFTER HIS USUAL COMBINATION COMPLAINT-PRAYER, • HIS LITTLE GIRL ASKED, “DADDY, DOES GOD HEAR US WHEN WE PRAY?” • “WHY, OF COURSE,” HE REPLIED. “HE HEARS US EVERY TIME WE PRAY.” • SHE PAUSED ON THIS A MOMENT, AND ASKED, • “DOES HE HEAR EVERYTHING WE SAY THE REST OF THE TIME?” • “YES, DEAR, EVERY WORD,” HE REPLIED, ENCOURAGED THAT HE HAD • INSPIRED HIS DAUGHTER TO BE CURIOUS ABOUT SPIRITUAL MATTERS • HOWEVER, HIS PRIDE WAS QUICKLY TURNED TO HUMILITY • AT HIS DAUGHTER’S NEXT QUESTION. • “THEN, WHICH DOES GOD BELIEVE, WHEN YOU GRUMBLE ABOUT THE FOOD OR WHEN YOU THANK HIM FOR IT?” • IF WE ARE NOT HOLDING GOD’S HAND • NOT ABIDING IN CHRIST IN OUR DAILY LIFE • HOW COULD WE POSSIBLY ASK GOD FOR THINGS THAT ARE PART OF HIS WILL? • WE WILL ONLY ASK FOR THAT WHICH WE ARE WALKING IN • IF WE ARE WALKING IN SIN WE WILL ASK FOR SINFUL THINGS • IF WE ARE WALKING WITH GOD WE WILL ASK FOR GODLY THINGS 1 JOHN 3:23–24 THIS IS HIS COMMANDMENT, THAT WE BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER, JUST AS HE COMMANDED US. THE ONE WHO KEEPS HIS COMMANDMENTS ABIDES IN HIM, AND HE IN HIM. WE KNOW BY THIS THAT HE ABIDES IN US, BY THE SPIRIT WHOM HE HAS GIVEN US. HOW TO HOLD GOD’S HAND • I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU… BUT WHEN I HEAR THE WORD COMMANDMENT • MY MIND JUMPS RIGHT TO THE 10 COMMANDMENTS • THIS MAY BE BECAUSE MY ONLY EXPOSURE TO THE BIBLE • BEFORE COME TO CHRIST WAS THE MOVIE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS • THANKFUL JOHN MAKES IT CLEAR WHAT COMMANDMENT HE IS TALKING ABOUT • THIS IS HIS COMMANDMENT, THAT WE BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER, JUST AS HE COMMANDED US. • NOW IT IS VERY CLEAR WHERE WE HAVE THE COMMANDMENT • TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER LIKE JESUS LOVED US… JOHN 13:34 “A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, THAT YOU ALSO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. • BUT WHERE IS THE COMMAND TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST JOHN 6:29 JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT. • THE CONCEPT OF TRUSTING IN THE NAME OF JESUS IS • ALL OVER THE NEW TESTAMENT (PAUSE) • TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME JESUS CHRIST • MEANS TO TRUST, TO RELY ON, TO DEPEND ON • WHO HE SAYS HE IS, GOD COME IN HUMAN FORM • WHAT HE SAYS HE DID, LIVE A SINLESS LIFE AND DIE ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR OUR SINS • AND WHAT HE SAYS THE RESULT WILL BE, THAT WE WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE • THIS IS HOW WE HOLD GOD’S HAND • WE TRUST IN, RELY ON, BELIEVE IN CHRIST • AND WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER IN TRUE DEEDS OF SERVICE • AS WE DO THIS WE ARE WALKING WITH CHRIST, YOU SEE HOLDING GOD’S HAND IS ABIDING • SO MUCH OF THIS BOOK IS ABOUT FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD • ABOUT ABIDING IN CHRIST, WALKING WITH HIM • AND RIGHT HERE WE HAVE A CLEAR STATEMENT • OF WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR FELLOWSHIP • THE ONE WHO KEEPS HIS COMMANDMENTS ABIDES IN HIM, AND HE IN HIM. • THIS STATEMENT COMES RIGHT AFTER TELLING US SPECIFICALLY WHAT • HIS COMMANDMENT IS • BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER, • WHEN WE BELIEVE IN CHRIST • WHEN WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER • WE ARE ABIDING IN GOD, WALKING WITH HIM • WE ARE HOLDING HIS HAND • BUT HOW DOES GOD HOLD OUR HAND • OUR PART IN THE HAND HOLDING IS • TRUSTING CHRIST AND LOVING ONE ANOTHER • THESE ARE THINGS WE DO SOMETIMES • AND FAIL AT OTHER TIMES • BUT GOD ALWAYS HOLDS OUR HAND • WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE HIS SPIRIT IS ALWAYS WITH US • WE KNOW BY THIS THAT HE ABIDES IN US, BY THE SPIRIT WHOM HE HAS GIVEN US. • WE CAN KNOW GOD IS HOLDING OUR HAND • WHEN HIS SPIRIT WHICH ABIDES IN US • CONVICTS US WHEN WE SIN • PROMPTS US TO LOVE OTHERS • GUIDES US TO DO GOD’S WILL…. • OUR TRUE DEEDS OF SACRIFICIAL LOVE • ARE THE EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE HOLDING GOD’S HAND • ABIDING IN HIM • THE HOLY SPIRIT PROMPTING US, CONVICTING US GUIDING US • IS THE EVIDENCE OF GOD HOLDING OUR HAND • WHEN WE NOTICE THESE EVIDENCES IT CAN CHANGE OUR WALK WITH GOD (PAUSE) AFTER A TRIAL HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR THREE DAYS, • THE DEFENDANT—STOOD UP AND APPROACHED THE JUDGE’S BENCH. • “YOUR HONOR, I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE MY PLEA • FROM INNOCENT TO GUILTY OF THE CHARGES” • THE JUDGE ANGRILY BANGED HIS FIST ON THE DESK. • “IF YOU’RE GUILTY, WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY SO IN THE FIRST PLACE • AND SAVE THIS COURT A LOT OF TIME AND INCONVENIENCE?” HE DEMANDED. • THE DEFENDANT LOOKED UP WIDEEYED AND SAID, • “WELL, WHEN THE TRIAL STARTED, I THOUGHT I WAS INNOCENT, • BUT THAT WAS BEFORE I HEARD ALL THE EVIDENCE AGAINST ME.” • SOMETIMES WE MAKE UP OUR MINDS ABOUT SOMETHING • WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE EVIDENCE…. • THE FALSE TEACHERS HAD TOLD THESE PEOPLE • THEY WERE NOT SAVED, NOT GOING TO HEAVEN • BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE • THE SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE THE FALSE TEACHERS OFFERED • JOHN TELLS THEM LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD • ARE YOU PRACTICING TRUE DEEDS OF SACRIFICIAL SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER? • ARE YOU KEEPING GOD’S COMMANDMENT TO TRUST IN JESUS CHRIS? • IS THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLING IN YOU? • THESE ARE ALL EVIDENCES OF YOUR SALVATION, YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD • THEY CAN GIVE YOU ASSURANCE AND CONFIDENCE IN YOUR WALK WITH GOD…. SOMETIMES IN LIFE WE FIND OUR SELVES • STANDING ON THE CURB OF A VERY BUSY STREET • ONLY IT’S NOT CARS WHIZZING BY • THE TRAFFIC IS ALL THE FEARS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, STRESS OF THIS LIFE • WE KNOW GOD CAN GET US ACROSS THIS STREET • BUT WE DON’T FEEL OUR HAND IN HIS….. • JOHN TELLS US HOW WE CAN KNOW OUR HAND IS IN GOD’S • IF WE ARE LOVING OTHERS NOT JUST WITH WORDS • BUT WITH TRUE DEEDS OF SACRIFICIAL LOVE • HELPING, SERVING OTHERS • NOT FOR OUR OWN GAIN, NOT TO MAKE US LOOK GOOD • NOT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE • BUT OUT OF LOVE, COMPASSION, CARING FOR OTHERS….. • WE CAN KNOW OUR HAND IS IN GOD’S HAND • THESE DO NOT NEED TO BE GRAND GESTURES, • EVERYDAY LITTLE THINGS THAT TRULY SERVE THOSE IN NEED • ARE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE • TAKING SOMEONE A MEAL, HELPING THEM GET TO THE DR’S OFFICE • FIXING A FENCE, FEED THEIR ANIMALS, RUNNING TO THE STORE FOR THEM • WATCHING THEIR KIDS • DOING THESE THINGS OUT OF LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER • CAN HELP US HAVE ASSURANCE AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR WALK WITH GOD • WE CAN CONFIDENTLY PRAY TO GOD FOR WHAT WE NEED TO DO HIS WILL • AND HE WILL GIVE US ALL THAT WE ASK AS WE TRUST IN CHRIST • AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER • BUT, WE MUST TRUST IN CHRIST • WE DO NOT EARN GOD’ HELP BY DOING GOOD DEEDS • WE DO NOT LOVE ONE ANOTHER SO THAT HE WILL LOVE US • HE FIRST LOVED US WHEN HE CAME IN THE FORM OF A MAN • LIVED A SINLESS LIFE AND DIED ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR OUR SINS • WE TAKE GOD’S HAND WHEN WE TRUST IN CHRIST’S WORK ON THE CROSS • IF THERE IS ANYONE HERE WHO HAS NOT TRUSTED…. 103