Message Title: God Provides Love for Others
Date: July 25, 2021

New to PCC? OR maybe you just want to connect? Text “CONNECT” to:
650-332-4438 to access more information

God's Great Love Provides (declared in 1 John = 12 springs)

Life, Fellowship, Joy, Light, Forgiveness, Love for Others, Warnings, Grace, Compassion, Discerning Spirit, His Example, The Best Way

Last week:
We focused on how God's love provides light and forgiveness.

Core Verse: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

THIS WEEK:
We will look at how God's love provides love for others

--How we love vertically determines how we love horizontally

--What is your comfort zone?

Who is the neighbor that comes to mind?

Do you need to step out of your comfort zone to reach him/her?

African Proverb:
When I saw you from afar, I thought you were a monster. When you got closer, I thought you were just an animal. When you got closer still, I saw that you were a human being. But when we were face to face, I realized that you were my brother / sister.

PUT INTO PRACTICE
--Get honest with God
--Trust Him
--Lectio Divina
--Prayer of Examen: How did I show/share His great love with my neighbor today?
--Think of one person and an action you can do over the next five days that shows love.

THIS WEEK:
--Lectio Divina: 1John 1:5-22 find the great love in it
--Daily Examen: Today, how did I receive and release the love of God? Is unconfessed sin causing my love to leak?

TODAY

PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus and may He push out into the world. May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others. Not because you must, but because you may. This is why we were born!

Beyond Sunday
The series Together: Responding to His Great Love is foundational to our new beginning at PCC. By studying the 12 springs from the great well of God’s love in the Book of 1 John, our hope is that it would empower us to love ourselves and others more, as we seek His future direction. This week, we focus on how God’s love provides us with the ability to love others.

1. In the last week, how did you receive and/or release the love of God? If not, what could you do to position your soul more to do so?

2. Lectio Divina: 1 John 2:3-11What stands out (words, phrases, theme) to you after the second or third time you read it through?

3. How many times is the word “command(s)” used in the passage? What commands do you think he is referring to? (Clue: think summarization of the 10 commandments - see Matthew 22:36-40) Notice how the passage layout reflects the call to love God (1John 2:3-6) and love others (1John 2:7-11). Reflect on the 1John 2:7-8, what and who is being referred to with regards to the old command and new command?

4. Ponder this statement: How we love horizontally (others) is based on how we love vertically (God). How does that make you feel (hopeful, guilty, etc.)? Who have you seen do this well? How is this a reality in your life?

5. Based on the content of the passage, what do you think the problems were in the local church that the author is addressing? How do you see these same problems playing out in the PCC community? How does 1 John 2:6 provide the answer on how to overcome these problems?

6. How is your love to those around you? Who in your life is stretching you to love them beyond your typical comfort zone? How could going to the well of God’s love more and more impact the way you love them? How will you do that? (Clue: start with confessing, then receiving, and then releasing)

Resources to help you receive & release His Great Love

Focus
Breath prayer:
Inhale: Help me to receive you love / Exhale: Help me to release your love

Reflect (see links below)
Lectio Divina: 1 John 1:5-2:2 (try this 3X this week)

Daily Examen: Today, how did I receive the love of God and how did I release it?

Watch & Read (see links below)
--The Chosen (see the love of Jesus)
--Kids: What is a Christian? Journey through 1John on Right Now Media --Kids: Have you filled a bucket today? (book)

For PCC's budgeted giving:
Fiscal year (June 1 - to date)

Giving Update
Budgeted Giving: $3,838,588
Giving to Date: $ 325,141
Still Need: $3,513,447