Loving Jesus More Than Life Itself
April 14, 2024 · 1:31:37 · Watch on YouTube ↗
Summary
The service overflows with thanksgiving and worship before guest pastor Bohdan turns to a hard but vital theme. Our walk with God has two sides: what He does for us, and what we are willing to give back to Him. Preaching about blessings is easy; the harder word is about surrender and loving Him above everything else.
Drawing on Revelation 12:11, Matthew 10 and Matthew 22, he asks honestly whether we truly love Jesus more than parents, children, business, comfort, or even our own lives. Such love cannot be squeezed out by willpower. It is born only by God's power - through daily sanctification (the one forgiven much loves much) and through being filled with the Holy Spirit and grace, just as Paul could say, by God's grace, that for him to live is Christ.
He also calls believers to live under the blood of Jesus every day, applying it over family, work, and health, because it is the blood of love and victory, not of fear. The gathering includes a striking testimony of healing from cancer, a reminder that the living God still acts among His people.
Key Points
- Our relationship with God has two sides: receiving His blessings and surrendering ourselves back to Him in love.
- The hardest call - loving Jesus above family, comfort, and even life - is the very foundation of His blessing.
- We cannot love God by human strength; that love is born only by His own power working in us.
- Daily sanctification deepens love, for the one who is forgiven much begins to love much.
- Being filled with the Holy Spirit and grace is what let Paul say, 'For me to live is Christ.'
- Do not keep Jesus out of your character; let Him change who you are, not only your circumstances.
- Live under the blood of Jesus daily, applying it over your family, your work, and your health.
Devotional
Ask yourself honestly today: if Jesus stood before you and asked, 'Do you love Me more than these?' what would you answer? Real love for Him is not something we manufacture by effort; it grows as we let Him forgive, cleanse, and fill us day by day. Stop guarding the corners of your heart you have kept off limits, and invite Him to change your character, not only your situation. The more He forgives, the more you love - and the more you love, the more of His promises become real in your life.
“Talking about the blood of Jesus is not the same as living under it, like soap you can smell but never use.”
“We can love God the way He asks only by the power of God Himself.”
“The one who is forgiven much begins to love much.”
