John 13 34 35 A new command I

John 13: 34 -35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will � know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. ”

Two videos

What is true. . . about who I am meant to be and how I’m meant to love?

The Book Of Colossians If Jesus sets me free from sin and from having to earn my salvation can I love, live and learn truth anyway I want?

OPPOSITE FALSE TEACHINGS [Ascetic] Strict avoidance of pleasure (nothing should feel good) [Pagan] Unrestrained pursuit of pleasure (whatever feels good)

Paul: “Don’t be confused” “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition [or reasoning] and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. ” (Col. 2: 8, niv)

COLOSSIANS 3: THE TRUTH 1. 2. 3. 4. The responsibility of truth The key to truth The critical area for truth The response of truth

The Responsibility Of Truth: “Admonish One Another” Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom (Col. 3: 16)

Admonish to warn, correct or counsel someone in order to protect and prosper their future

The Responsibility Of Truth: If I love someone, I will appropriately admonish them (warn, correct, counsel)

The Responsibility Of Truth: If I love someone, I will appropriately admonish them (warn, correct, counsel)

The Responsibility Of Truth: If I love someone, I will appropriately admonish them (warn, correct, counsel)

The Key To Truth: “Look Upward First” Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3: 1 -3,

The Key To Truth To know what is true you have to look upward before you look inward or outward

The Key To Truth To know what is true you have to look upward before you look inward or outward Only The Creator knows the complete truth and potential of the creation

Jesus is the image of the invisible God. . . all things were created by him and for him. Jesus is before all things, and in him all things hold together [have their proper place]. ” (Col 1: 16 -18)

“Jesus is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge. I tell you, then, do not let anyone deceive you with false arguments, no matter how good they seem to be. ” (Colossians 2: 3 -4, gnb)

American morality has gone from “God-focused” to “Me-focused”

The morality of “self-fulfillment”

The morality of “self-fulfillment” To find yourself, look within yourself

The morality of “self-fulfillment” To find yourself, look within yourself To be fulfilled in life, pursue what you desire most

The morality of “self-fulfillment” To find yourself, look within yourself To be fulfilled in life, pursue what you desire most Enjoying yourself is the highest goal of life

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16: 2426)

The Critical Area For Truth Sexuality “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly [sinful] nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. ” (Col. 3: 5, niv)

The Critical Area For Truth Correct sexual identity and expression protects relationships and prospers people

“Haven’t you read, ” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female, ’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh [reference to sex]’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. ” (Matthew 19)

The Word of Christ about gender, marriage & sex

The Word of Christ about gender, marriage & sex 1. God created people male & female only

The Word of Christ about gender, marriage & sex 1. God created people male & female only 2. God created marriage for a man and woman only

The Word of Christ about gender, marriage & sex 1. God created people male & female only 2. God created marriage for a man and woman only 3. God created sex for marriage only

The Response Of Truth “Follow Jesus” Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col. 3: 12 -14)

The Response Of Truth For all disagreements, lies, injustice and grief we experience in this world, we must - look upward for truth, - look inward and humble ourselves - look outward and live like Jesus.

This week, how can I. . .

This week, how can I. . . Focus my heart and mind upward?

This week, how can I. . . Focus my heart and mind upward? Encourage my loved ones upward?

This week, how can I. . . Focus my heart and mind upward? Encourage my loved ones upward? Support my community upward?