July 27th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 4:17-21

Take a deep breath. Let the noise fade. In this powerful episode wrapping up our summer series in 1 John, Luke Ludwig invites you into a sacred pause—a moment of clarity rooted in 1 John 4:17-21. Whether you're a longtime believer or simply curious, this message reminds you that God's perfect love doesn’t demand perfection—it casts out fear.

Luke explores two life-changing truths from Scripture:

1. God’s love drives out the fear of judgment.

2. Our love for others reveals our love for God.

Through ancient context, real-life reflection, and practical application, you’ll uncover how the love of God brings confidence, heals insecurity, and calls us into a life of active, humble love. It’s a message of assurance in a world full of uncertainty—a reminder that you are seen, known, and not forgotten.

If you’ve ever wrestled with fear, questioned your worth, or longed for a deeper purpose—this episode is for you.

Key Themes:

• The false promises of Gnosticism vs. the assurance of grace

• How God’s love meets our deepest insecurities

• Why love is more than a feeling—it’s an identity and a calling

• What it means to live in unity with Christ and empowered by the Spirit

Reflection Questions:

• Do I find my sense of security in the love of God?

• What fear is God asking me to surrender?

• Who do I need to actively pursue in love this week?

Take the next step. Breathe in grace. Breathe out fear. And allow God's love to reshape your view of yourself, your neighbor, and eternity.

Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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July 27th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 4:17-19; 5:13-15

In this powerful message closing out our summer series in 1 John, Pastor Matt Darby unpacks the life-changing truth that God's love doesn't just comfort us—it delivers us. Drawing from 1 John, we explore how perfect love casts out fear, heals what’s broken, and invites us into deep, confident relationship with God.

You’ll be challenged to examine the fears that grip your heart and be encouraged by the truth that God’s love is greater. This episode also dives into the connection between being loved by God and loving others through bold, intercessory prayer.

Highlights include:

• How fear reveals our beliefs—and how love redefines them

• Why God’s love is the soil where faith, freedom, and boldness grow

• What it means to pray with confidence, knowing you’re heard

• The power of standing in the gap for others through intercessory prayer

Whether you’re battling anxiety, wrestling with doubt, or simply hungry for deeper relationship with God, this message will remind you that the love of God changes everything.

Do you know JESUS?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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July 20th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 4:7-16

What if the love of God could change everything—not just your behavior, but your identity, your relationships, and your future? In this message from 1 John 4:7–16 and 5:11–12, Pastor Matt Darby unpacks how the statement “God is love” is more than a comforting phrase—it’s the foundation of new life, daily confidence, and abiding relationship with God. You’ll discover that God’s love is not a concept to admire but a reality to experience. Whether you’re encountering the love of God for the first time or being renewed in its wonder, this message reveals why God's love truly is glorious good news.

Key Points:

July 20th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 4:7-16

In this heartfelt message, Craig Connor steps in to share a powerful reflection on the nature of God’s love from 1 John 4:7–16. Drawing from personal experience, biblical truth, and the chiastic structure of Scripture, Craig unpacks what it means to be truly known and deeply loved by God.

What does God see when He looks at you? What would He say about you right now? These are the questions that frame today’s message, leading us to explore the depths of God’s love—revealed in Jesus, extended to the undeserving, and perfected when we love one another.

You’ll learn:

• How God’s love is defined by willing, self-sacrifice for our good.

• Why receiving Jesus is inseparable from experiencing God’s love.

• The difference between knowing God’s love and abiding in it.

• How the Spirit empowers us to love others—even when it costs us.

• The hope and invitation extended to everyone who hasn’t yet believed.

Whether you’re new to faith, struggling to feel God’s affection, or desiring to grow in love toward others, this episode offers both challenge and encouragement: God desires you. He delights in you. And His love changes everything.

“God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” – 1 John 4:16

Do you know JESUS?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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July 13th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 3:1-10

In Week 6 of our summer series The Love of God: His Heart, Our Hope, Pastor Ben Lofton unpacks the powerful and practical truth found in 1 John 3:1–10—God’s love isn’t just something He shows, it’s something that transforms.

Through rich biblical teaching and real-life illustrations, Pastor Ben reminds us of three foundational truths about God's love:

• God’s Love Defines Our Identity — We are not just improved; we are adopted. No longer spiritual orphans, we are made children of God, not by merit, but by mercy.

• God’s Love Changes Our Trajectory — Salvation is not the finish line. It's the starting point of a new life, where we are being shaped into the image of Christ day by day.

• God’s Love Transforms Our Lives — A life marked by God’s love cannot remain the same. We don’t practice sin; we practice righteousness—not to earn love, but because we have it.

“The Gospel doesn’t just forgive sin—it exists to destroy it.”
This message is a direct, convicting call to self-examination and surrender. If you belong to the family of God, your life will begin to reflect the family resemblance. The love of God doesn’t just add something to your life—it changes everything.

Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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July 13th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 3:1-10

In this powerful message, we continue our journey through 1 John in our series The Love of God. Pastor Daniel Norris reflects on the birth of his first son—an unforgettable moment that revealed the depths of love a father has for his child—and uses that lens to help us grasp an even greater truth: the radical, undeserved, life-changing love God has for His children.

“What kind of love is this?” John asks. It’s a love that doesn’t make sense—a foreign, otherworldly love that redefines who we are, shapes who we’re becoming, and transforms how we live.

We dive into 1 John 3:1–10 and explore three key truths:

• The love of the Father defines you

• The love of the Father shapes your future

• The love of the Father transforms your life

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. It’s not about earning God's love—it’s about living from the security of already having it. Whether you’re struggling with your identity, wrestling with sin, or simply needing to be reminded that you are deeply loved and fully adopted—this message is for you.

"You’re not a slave. You’re a son. And sons live differently."

Do you know JESUS?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SUPPORT through giving: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbbctx.org/giving⁠⁠

July 6th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 2:18-28

In this episode, Jake Peterman continues our series on The Love of God—but with a twist we don’t always expect. Because sometimes, the most loving thing God can do… is warn us.

Drawing from 1 John 2, Jake walks us through a powerful call to discernment in a world where spiritual-sounding ideas are often poor substitutes for Jesus. This isn’t just about recognizing lies—it’s about recognizing the slow, subtle drift from truth, even within the church.

With the heart of a spiritual father, John gives us three spiritual realities to stay anchored in the face of deception:

• The Drift – When conviction becomes suggestion.

• The Divide – The line between knowing Jesus and merely knowing about Him.

• The Defense – How to remain rooted in the truth through the power of the Spirit.

If we’re not connected to the real Jesus, we’ll eventually settle for something that looks like Him but doesn’t save like Him.

This is a wake-up call for the faithful—and a timely reminder that abiding in Jesus isn’t passive. It’s the only way to stand firm.

Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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July 6th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 2:18-29 ; 4:1-6

In Week 5 of our summer series through 1 John, Pastor Ben Lofton walks us through a powerful and sobering reminder: if the foundation of our faith isn’t firmly rooted in the truth of the Gospel, everything else is at risk. Drawing from 1 John 2 and 4, we explore how John calls the early church—and us—to stay anchored in Christ amidst a world full of deception, spiritual confusion, and cultural compromise.

Pastor Ben highlights the Apostle John’s straightforward teaching and deep love for the church, showing us how the truth that Jesus is both fully God and fully man isn’t just doctrine—it’s our stability, our protection, and our eternal security.

In a world that redefines truth and distorts the Gospel, John’s words cut through the noise: Abide in Him.

Key Themes:
– How the Gospel stabilizes our faith
– Recognizing deception and false teaching
– The role of the Holy Spirit in discernment
– Why we must test every spirit
– Living with confidence in Christ’s return

“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.”

(1 John 2:24)

Do you know JESUS?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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June 29th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 2:15-17; 5:1-5

We all know the world can’t truly satisfy us—but if that’s true, why do we keep chasing it?

In this message, Pastor Matt Darby unpacks a powerful truth from 1 John: the love of God isn’t just better than the love of the world—it’s the only love that satisfies. Through deep reflection on two key passages, we’re invited to examine the cravings of our hearts and find freedom through a greater affection.

The love of the world is shallow, fleeting, and incompatible with the love of the Father. But the love of God in Christ changes everything. It transforms what we love, how we live, and empowers us to overcome the very things that used to own our hearts.

In this episode, we see:

• Why worldly desires will never fulfill what your soul longs for

• How faith in Jesus leads to both obedience and freedom

• The dangers of divided affection—and the joy of a heart consumed by God

• Why loving Jesus more is the path to victory over sin

• What it means to be born of God and live as an overcomer

"When we behold and abide in God’s love, our cravings for lesser loves begin to die."

Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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June 29th, 2025 | The Love of God | 1 John 2:15-17; 5:1-5

Have you ever chased something—success, a relationship, a goal—thinking it would finally make you happy… only to find it left you empty?

In this powerful message, Pastor Daniel Norris unpacks the truth that the world’s version of love always falls short—but the love of God truly satisfies. Drawing from 1 John, we’re reminded that the things of this world are temporary, and the love of the Father is the only thing that fills the deepest thirst of our souls.

Whether you’re struggling with temptation, searching for purpose, or just feeling worn out by the world, this episode will point you back to the only love that lasts—and the only One who can truly satisfy.

Don’t just fight harder—love deeper.
Let the love of God transform you from the inside out.

Do you know JESUS?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Need PRAYER?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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