Welcome to Eastern Hills Baptist Church
We are so glad that you decided to join us in worship today. Here at Eastern Hills we realize that we are all in different places on our journey with Christ, and that's okay. Whether you are a seeker, looking for answers, or a long-time follower of Christ, you are welcome here.

TODAY'S POINTS:

1. Love for each other defines God's children.

2. Jesus defines love.

3. Love provides confidence to us.

A. Confidence of our salvation.

B. Confidence in our prayers.

“Godlessness is disturbed by the condemning presence of righteousness in its midst, and it would remove the cause of its discomfort if it could…Hatred is the desire to get rid of someone, whether or not one has the nerve or the occasion to perform the act.”

‌—Donald Burdick, The Letters of John the Apostle

Words can be empty and actions can be hypocritical. You may choose to do nothing, though your words promise much. On the other hand, you may do something for someone, but your motives are impure and your intentions evil. We call this manipulation. God cares about both our motives and our actions. He wants us to love and care for others just like we have been loved and cared for by Jesus.

‌—Daniel Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1, 2, 3 John

“To believe in the name of Jesus Christ is to place one’s faith, one’s trust, in him and all that he is—the Divine Son, the incarnate Deity, the sinless Human, the Messianic Savior, and all other facets of his unique nature and personhood. Belief is acceptance of the entirety of him.”

‌—Daniel Akin; 1, 2, 3 John, New American Commentary

For discussion this week:

—Have you ever had to wear a uniform for something (work, sports, etc.)? What was the uniform?
—Why is it important that Christians love one another?
—How does the cross of Jesus clearly demonstrate the love of God?