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AfterThoughts: April 26, 2026

 

April 27, 2026
What The World Needs Now Is Love
John 15:8–17

This week, Dr. David Eldridge continued the series from the Gospel of John.

GOING DEEPER: 

  • “Love” is a hard word to pin down. We use it to describe a wide range of emotions and allegiances. We love our most precious ones, but we also “love” food, movies, our pets, books, our alma mater, and our favorite team. In John 15:8–17, Jesus said one of the primary ways we show we are His disciples is by the way we love one another. How do you hear the word “love” used in our culture right now?
     
  • Pastor David explained that God is the source of true love (John 15:9–11). Jesus reassured His disciples before He left them that they were secure in His love. We are entwined in His love also. The eternal, overflowing love within the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the Holy Trinity—is the very fountain from which all true human love is drawn. God is not just loving; God is love eternally. God defines love. In his book On the Trinity, St. Augustine described the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the lens of love: God the Father is the lover, the Son is the beloved, and the Holy Spirit is the love shared between them. How does this analogy flesh out the truth of 1 John 4:8? How can you see God’s love when you look at the cross of Jesus?
     
  • We love others from a position of security in Jesus and not from a place of neediness. Pastor David encouraged us to remember this week that the eternal love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is not limited; it is not rationed at any time or in any way. It has no beginning, it will never be depleted, it will never fluctuate, and it will never end. How does this great truth from Jesus’ teaching give you courage as you face the week ahead? How can you change your schedule this week to make more time to praise Him for His great love and to pray for opportunities to share His love with others?
     
  • Pastor David pointed out that we are to walk daily in the depth of the true love of God (John 15:10–17). Jesus gave us clarity about how we show we are His followers: we love one another in the way that He loved us. This love is not just affection; it is a costly and sacrificial love. As Jesus’ disciples, we are to have our lives reoriented around His will so that the way we treat people is marked by His kind of love. While there are people who put their lives on the line for others every day, most of us will not be called for that kind of sacrifice. Instead, for the vast majority of us, Jesus’ kind of sacrificial love shows up in hundreds of small ways—not flashy or done perfectly. How are you living out Jesus’ love in small but sacrificial ways in this season of your life? How can you put your agenda, comfort, or prerogative on the altar of sacrifice this week in order to show the love of Jesus to a family member, friend, or neighbor? Who has shown you sacrificial love? How can you thank that person this week?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

  • To view past sermons, please click here.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26

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