Sermon Outline

December 14, 2003

"Loving Christ:  Devotion Or Duty?"
Luke 7:36-50

Devotion - "A love for Christ so compelling that it drives and defines
all that we do."

We learn from the forgiven prostitute that devoted love is:

1.  A WORSHIPING Love.

A response to His love for us.
Motivated by gratitude rather than duty.
We were created to love God.
Love not with words but with action and truth.

2.  A REPENTANT Love.

Lay our sins at the feet of Jesus.
Jesus accepts our sincere repentance.
We can be transformed.

3.  A COURAGEOUS Love.

Willing to be misunderstood or abandoned by others.
It can be difficult to affirm our faith in public.
A true sign of our devotion.

4.  A SACRIFICIAL Love.

Speaks of Christ's worth to us.
Give our very best to the Lord.
Deliberate and planned, not just an emotional reaction.

5.  A CONSUMING Love.

Real love, from the depth of our soul.
Love Christ more than self.
Remember how much we've been forgiven.

"Those who are forgiven much, love much."

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Honor God with our thoughts, prayers and actions.
Keep in mind where we would be without Christ.