This document discusses faith and love. It begins by asking if God can use ordinary people and says faith is necessary to please God. It then discusses how faith awakens the soul and God has plans for our lives. Love is described as being motivated by faith, labor, and hope. A woman pours expensive perfume on Jesus, angering disciples who say it's a waste, but Jesus says she is preparing him for burial and her act will be remembered. Love is said to compel us because Christ died for all. True love sacrifices what we love for something greater and shines brightest in hard times. The document encourages being filled with love for others as Christ loved and sacrificed for us.

1. Does God want to use people like us?
Can God use people like us?
Will We be available?

2. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because
anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Begins with Faith
Faith is an awakening of sorts. Is the optimism that initiates change, it is the spark
that sets the soul on fire. “I know the plans I have for you.”
I believe, help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

3. Begins with Faith
Animated by Love
“We remember before our God and Father your work
produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your
endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)
Love that Goes Beyond looks like
I need more than a definition I need a demonstration

4. This is God’s Word for my life
In this Place and at this Time.
Today I am a new creation in Christ,
I am God’s very own,
and I KNOW He has a purpose for my life.

5. While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the
Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very
expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he
was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant (furious,
angry). “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could
have been sold at a high price and the money given to the
poor.”

6. Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering
this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor
you will always have with you, but you will not always have
me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it
to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this
gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has
done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:6-13

7. Love that Goes Beyond Words
Compelling - “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are
convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” 2 Cor. 5:14

8. Love that Goes Beyond Words
Compelling - “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are
convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” 2 Cor. 5:14
Sacrifice – giving up something you love for
something that you love EVEN MORE

9. Love that Goes Beyond REASON
“Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for
more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.”
And they rebuked her harshly.” Mark 14:4
Loves shines the brightest in the hardest times.

10. Love that Goes Beyond PLEASES GOD
“Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout
the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of
her.” v13

11. “Be full of love for others, following the example of
Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a
sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was
pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet
perfume to him.” Ephesians 5:2 TLB

12. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down
one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13

14. If your family and friends were ready to board…
What would you risk to save them?

15. Only a faith that goes beyond the comfortable
and convenient can possibly hope to discover the
incomprehensible and the inexpressible.