Pastor McMath

Biblical Love

Text: 1 John 3:10–16

Preached at Valley Bible Baptist Church

Introduction

• Ephesians teaches that we are sealed at salvation and that our lives should reflect that by how we love others.
• Related verses:
• 1 John 2:29; 4:7
• Our new nature has a desire to please God.
• Chastening and discipline are signs of true salvation.
• Those born of God have the Spirit of Truth.

Loving the brethren is a clear sign of God's love in us.

God's Spirit transforms the life of His children.

“God is able to love through you in a way that you cannot love on your own.”

The world needs to see love in action.

1. The Admonition from God to Love

1 John 3:10–11, 23

• If God commands us to love, He will also empower us to do it.
• Christ’s love separates us from mere religion.

John 15:12 – Christ is the greatest example of love.

1 John 4:7 – Love is of God.

2. The Application (Attitude) of Love

1 John 3:12

• A negative example is seen in Cain.

(See Genesis 4 for context.)

• Cain’s envy led to hatred.
• 1 John 3:13 – Envy leads to hatred.
• Hatred is equated with murder.
• 1 John 3:15
• Bitterness goes against the nature of God.
• Ephesians 4:22–32

“Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God”—grief comes from a place of love.1 John 3:14

3. The Action of Love

1 John 3:18

a. Love’s Sacrifice

1 John 3:16

b. Love’s Compassion

1 John 3:17

Romans 12

4. The Assurance of Love

1 John 3:19–20

Matthew 18 – We must forgive as the Lord has forgiven us.

Assurance in Prayer

1 John 3:24

Biblical love is not just an emotion;

it is an action that reveals Christ in us to a world that desperately needs Him.

Do others see Jesus in you?

Preached from the pulpit at Valley Bible Baptist Church.

Brother Murdoch – "The Most Important Thing You Do"

April 20, 2025 – PM Service

Valley Bible Baptist Church

Text: Luke 6:12; James 5:17–18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Why Would the Man of God Pray That It Would Stop Raining?

Because it was a judgment prayer—a specific type of prayer we also see examples of in Deuteronomy.

From James 5: "He Prayed"

1. The Prayer Was Sincere

• The Bible says he prayed earnestly—genuinely and from the heart.
• It was also fervent—full of passion and intensity.

Isaiah 38:1–3 – An example of someone praying with sincerity and intensity.

2. The Prayer Was Specific

James 5:17

• He asked specifically for the rain to stop.
• When we pray, we should ask for specific things according to God’s will.

Matthew 18:19

Mark 11:24

1 John 5:14–15

Why pray specifically?

To gain wisdom to do God’s will.

John 15:7 – “If you abide in Me…” — motive matters.

When your motive is right, God can validate what you're asking for.

3. The Prayers Didn’t Stop

1 Kings 18:40–46 – Especially verse 42.

• Notice Elijah’s posture—he was humble and persistent in prayer.

4. The Prayers Included Confession—and Brought Healing

James 5:16 – Confess your faults… pray… that you may be healed.

Romans 8:16 – The Spirit bears witness that we are God’s children.

Prayer is not a last resort—

It is the most important thing you do.

Brother Murdoch

April 20th, 2025 AM Service

Luke 24:13-35

The Resurrection Should Impact the Heart

We see Cleopas and the unnamed disciple in verse 18.

Where were they going? Emmaus. Why? Home.

1. Jesus said, "I will walk with you."

Look at verse 15.

Emotions are powerful; they can prevent us from seeing Jesus.

Sadness (verse 17).

2. Jesus said, "I will teach you."

A lack of faith can keep us from seeing Jesus.

How did Jesus teach? Throughout the Old Testament, it was a gradual process.

Am I teachable? Make me teachable, Lord.

What did Jesus teach?

a. More about Himself

b. In our suffering, how suffering precedes triumph. (1 Peter 1:10-11)

3. Jesus said, "I will reveal Myself to you."

Verse 30: The guest (Jesus) became the host.

“They made Jesus the master of the table, but we should make Jesus the Master of our hearts.”

Preached from the Pulpit of Valley Bible Baptist Church
Sunday Morning Service – April 13, 2025
By Pastor Brian McMath

Missions Conference 2025 – 4/6/2025

Preached by Brother Polk – Missionary to Mexico

Bilingual Service (English & Spanish)

At the pulpit of Valley Bible Baptist Church

Text: Luke 16:23–31

Hell is a Real Place

Hell is a place of eternal torment and suffering.

Revelation 21:8

Matthew 25:46

Hell is a place of everlasting punishment.

Hell is a place of spiritual suffering.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 – To not believe is disobedience.

While we are still in this life, there is hope—hope to be reconciled with Jesus Christ.

Heaven is a Real Place

Heaven is a place of spiritual blessings.

Revelation 21:21

Heaven is so incredible—it doesn’t need the sun, moon, or stars to shine.

John 14:1 – Jesus promises a place prepared for us.

Revelation 21:4 – No more death, sorrow, or pain.

Heaven is a place of eternal hope and transformation:

2 Corinthians 5:1

Hebrews 9:15

Philippians 3:21

1 John 3:

Revelation 22:1–5

Heaven being a real place should motivate us to share the Gospel.

It should compel us to tell others—to urge them to choose heaven over hell!

Missions Conference 2025 – 4/6/2025

Preached by Brother Corley – Pastor from Colorado

At the pulpit of Valley Bible Baptist Church

Text: Romans 10

God wants us to know His will for our lives!

What do we need? — Ears to hear.

Often, we’d rather stay in our comfort zone,

but truth can be uncomfortable.

God desires that we have the obedience of faith.

Faith produces obedience.

Two Types of Righteousness:

God’s righteousness

Our own righteousness

You cannot buy, earn, or inherit your way to heaven.

Romans 1:17–18 – It is impossible to live up to God’s standard on your own.

Sincerity is not enough.

Jesus is the Only Way to Salvation

Romans 10:3 – Jesus is the only way.

Romans 10:4 – Jesus is also the standard of righteousness.

Romans 10:9 – We must accept God’s righteousness for our salvation.

Salvation is not a magic formula or just a set of words.

It is a moment of true belief,

where our heart is postured to receive the gift of salvation.

The requirement?

Believe on the Son of God.

Missions Conference 2025 – 4/4/2025

Preached by Brother Hernandez – Pastor in Las Cruces

At the pulpit of Valley Bible Baptist Church

Text: Matthew 9:35–38

We don’t need new revelation—we need renewed obedience.

"He was moved with compassion..." – v. 36

Why are there so few laborers?

Have you been moved?

The Lord—the Creator of everything—was moved!

Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to move you?

Are we too afraid to admit we don’t have it all figured out?

What is it going to take to be moved by God?

1. "But when..." – Readiness (v. 36)

Jesus didn’t look away when it was time to look at the multitude.

Even after preaching in the synagogues and healing all who came,

when the moment came—He didn’t turn away.

How often do we look away?

Jesus took the time to look.

There is a principle of readiness here—being present, being available.

2. "But when He saw the multitude..." – Responsibility

We see the heart of God in verse 35.

In verse 36, we see that Jesus took responsibility personally.

Mark 16 – We are commissioned to go.

We have a responsibility in our city and in our world.

3. God’s Love for People

We must get the Gospel to everyone.

We must learn to see souls—not just people.

When we’re not soulwinning, we’re not seeing people as souls in need of a Savior.

We know so much…

But have we gone soulwinning?

Missions Conference 2025 – 4/3/2025

"Fulfilling the Pastoral Calling"
– Brother Hastings

It’s a commitment to do whatever it takes.

Matthew 16:24–25

The New Testament gives many examples showing that we are called to give our lives fully to Christ.

Romans 15:1
Philippians 3:7–8

We will give an account for our service to Him.

Luke 18:29–30

We need to be surrendered.
Not all service comes with a title—but we all have a responsibility to respond to God.

We must have the courage to obey Him.

1 Peter 5:4
1 Samuel 17:24, 37 – David’s ability to defeat Goliath came directly from God. David had a heart of responsibility.

God often gives us problems as tests—to see how we’ll handle them.

“When you attempt great things for God, you can expect great things from God.”

Joshua 24:15
Galatians 6:9

Missions Conference 2025 – 4/2/2025

"Are you a Helper or a Hindrance?"
– Brother Corley, Missionary to Colorado
3 John 1:1–13

It seems the Apostle John believed in absolute truth.
We can stand strong on the Truth because of Jesus Christ.
There appears to be a kind of "partial Christianity"—but that is not biblical.
Truth comes from God. As best we can, we must align ourselves with God's truth.

Do you want to be a believer who lives by the truth?
God’s truth exists to shine light on the lies of this world.

• We are to be after a godly sort (v. 6).

• We are to be fellowhelpers to the truth (v. 8).

• You become a hindrance when you make church about you (vv. 9–11).

Don’t follow that which is evil.

Be a fellowhelper to the truth.