Love: Real or Counterfeit?

March 22, 2009
Ephesians 5:1-7
Dr. Roger Ferguson, Senior Pastor


THEME: Many speak of love but few experience it. God is pure love and He created us in His image. What God creates, Satan will try to corrupt. Christians must choose to follow God’s way and expose the sham of counterfeit love. Are you living in His genuine love or are you settling for a counterfeit?

I. God’s pattern for genuine love. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Agape love is:

1. Pure “How would Jesus respond?” (Ephesians 5:1)

2. Unconditional (Ephesians 5:2a)

3. self-sacrificing (Ephesians 5:2b)


II. The built-in pain of counterfeit love:
(Ephesians 5:3-7)

1. Sexual immorality craters a relationship.
(Ephesians 5:3)

2. Reckless talk ruins friendships. (Ephesians 5:4)

3. Greed robs value. (Ephesians 5:5-7)

How about you? Real or counterfeit?
Use the following diagnostic questions to evaluate whether you are experiencing real or counterfeit love.
1. Jesus is real love. Have you asked Christ to forgive your sin and be the leader of the life He gave you?
2. How are you practicing the 3 qualities under #1 above?
3. Has any counterfeit attitude or practice seeped into your life?
4. Who can you invite to Easter to celebrate Jesus, the lover of your soul?


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First Baptist Church Owasso
13307 East 96th Street North
Owasso, OK 74055
www.fbcowasso.org
918-272-2294