MISPLACED LOVE
By Michael D. O’Neal – Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church – Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: John 3:16-21
Text: John 3:19
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Introduction: God’s love is indescribable. The words “so loved” are full of meaning.
You would think everyone would appreciate God’s love for them. Those of us who are saved love the Lord because He first loved us!
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Yet many turn away from God’s love and die without Christ.
People spurn God’s love because they love darkness – John 3:19
That’s also the reason why people reject Christ, why they don’t attend a church like this, and why they don’t like to hang around you.
Some people have misplaced their love in that they love their sports, hobbies, and jobs more than their spouses and children. Some people love their children, jobs, and hobbies more than they love their spouses.
Rev. 2 – The church left their first love
Saved people who don’t SERVE God prove they don’t LOVE God.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
How is love misplaced?
I. SOME PEOPLE LOVE THE PROFIT OF MONEY MORE THAN THE PLAN OF THE MASTER
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
A. For conversion
B. For a calling
C. For consecration
1. Rom.ans12:1-2
II. SOME PEOPLE LOVE THE TELEVISION MORE THAN
THE TRUTH
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
At 250 WPM, an average reading rate, it takes 52 hours to read God’s word through. That’s two months at an hour a day.
A. People have more of an acquaintance with the TV
B. People have more admiration for the TV
C. Because they have more affection for the TV
III. SOME PEOPLE LOVE THE WORLD MORE THAN WITNESSING
2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
A. Their schedule shows it
B. Their speech shows it
C. Their sons and daughters show it
IV. SOME PEOPLE LOVE RECREATION MORE THAN THE REDEEMER
2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Lovers of their own selves … lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God
A. They have a pool but no peace
B. They have a vacation but no vision
C. They have a house but no real happiness
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |