The Love of God
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
Loving God is not merely a task or a rule-bound requirement, but the primary commandment, our greatest devotion, our greatest treasure, and our greatest desire. This past Sunday at High Point AG Church one of our pastors, Pastor Jerry Guinn, emphasized moving past transactional routine to cultivate authentic fellowship with God through His Spirit.
Sermon Overview
Speaker: Pastor Jerry Guinn (Credentialed Assemblies of God Minister)
Title: The Love of God
Key Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 6:4–5
Secondary Passages Mentioned: Deuteronomy 6:1–3, 6–9, 10–12; Matthew 22:37–40; John 14–16; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Romans 12:1–2; Revelation 2:4.
1. The Greatest Commandment
Loving God First: Pastor Jerry references the Shema ("Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one..."). He notes that while believers often focus heavily on lists of "do's and don'ts," they risk missing the foundation: loving God with all of one's heart, soul, and strength.
The Foundation of the Law: Citing Jesus' response to the Pharisees, Pastor Jerry reminds the congregation that loving God and loving one's neighbor are the two pillars upon which all the Law and Prophets depend. It is impossible to genuinely love others without first knowing and receiving God's love and compassion.
Knowing His Heart: Sharing a insight from his own personal devotion time (referencing Andrew Murray), he highlighted: "Learn how to hear God's voice for yourself before you try to hear it for others... so that you first come to know His heart before you share His words."
2. Our Greatest Devotion
Personal Decision: Referencing Joshua’s declaration ("Choose this day whom you will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"), Pastor Jerry stresses that devotion begins with an individual choice before it spreads to family or ministry.
Inseparable Connection: Prayer and the Word of God are linked together. Reading Scripture is how God speaks to us; prayer is how we speak to God.
Avoiding the Trap of Routine: A key warning in the message was against replacing actual fellowship with God with mere check-the-box routines of prayer or Bible reading. Devotion must rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than human intellect alone.
3. Our Greatest Treasure
Beware of Prosperity & Ease: Drawing from Deuteronomy 6:10–12, Pastor Jerry points out that Israel was warned not to forget God once they entered the Promised Land and enjoyed houses, cisterns, and vineyards they did not build or plant. It is easy to cry out to God in trials, but dangerous to forget Him when life is going smoothly.
Approaching God’s House: Citing Ecclesiastes 5:1 ("Guard your steps as you go to the house of God..."), he calls the church to enter corporate worship with prepared, clean hearts rather than offering "the sacrifice of fools" through distraction or insincerity.
Guard the Heart: Loving God must be guarded like a priceless treasure against distractions, complacency, and worldliness (Romans 12:1–2). "To be filled with heaven, the life must be emptied of earth."
4. Our Greatest Desire
Do Not Leave Your First Love: Referencing the message to the Church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:4, Pastor Jerry highlights a critical distinction: the church did not simply "lose" its first love; they left it.
Refocusing the Heart: A church or believer can be active, busy, and doing many good works, yet slowly drift away from intimacy with Christ. The ultimate call of the sermon is to intentionally return and anchor one's heart in love for God above all else.
Summary Takeaway
Pastor Jerry’s sermon serves as a gentle yet clear call to examine the internal motives of our spiritual walk. Religious activity, knowledge, and service mean little if detached from a deep, Spirit-led love for God. True peace, service, and fellowship flow naturally when loving God is held as our highest devotion, greatest treasure, and primary desire.