OUTLINE:

One in Essence
If love and obedience aren’t linked together, if they’re disjoint...then they don’t place us in the “sphere of God”, nor do they satisfy our thirst for peace with God.

“a spring of water welling up to eternal life”
To “drink” from the well that Jesus referred to was to have one’s spiritual thirst for God quenched. To “drink” Him implies the utmost intimacy (ala to “know” Him - Mt 7:23; Jn 17:3).

Mt 7:23
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Being Invited to Dine with the King
The invitation into the “sphere of God” implies an intimate relationship. If the King calls you to His table, that's a special opportunity to be in His home and eat of His blessings. So is the offer of salvation... turn away from your own food and drink and receive His supply if you want peace with your King. Mt 22:1-14

“a spring of water welling up to eternal life”
To “drink” from the well that Jesus referred to was to have one’s spiritual thirst for God quenched. To “drink” Him implies the utmost intimacy (ala to “know” Him - Mt 7:23; Jn 17:3).

"Never Be Thirsty Again"
Believers trust the Lord Jesus Christ to take care of them and quench their thirst for peace with God.

Pastor Collins:
Whenever we broach the subject of “the sphere of God”...or “life eternal”...or “knowing” Him...or “abiding in His love”...or even “keeping” His commandments... we MUST understand that all of these things are a PACKAGE DEAL!

Pastor Collins:
Those seeking their own version of God have divorced themselves from the fruit of the real thing (peace, contentment, and confidence in the Lord).

Missing His Peace?
It’s NOT God’s fault, it’s sin’s. It's sin in us that we allow to have it's way with us, even in some subtle way.

The Power of True Faith
Jesus had a peace that transcended all circumstances. At the core of this peace was His faith. He embodied truth (Jn 1:14) and therefore enjoyed perfect, ongoing freedom (ala Jn 8:32).

Mt 8:26
And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”

Mk 9:23b NIV
Jesus said "Everything is possible for him who believes."

The greatest experience in this lifetime is to abide in truth.

Obeying the Command to Love
Jn 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Jn 4:11-12 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Abiding In the Sphere of...
We can never play the game of asking for peace, but rejecting the obedience of faith. We can’t expect to experience love if we’re cold to the Truth (the very embodiment of it).

Obedience of faith always leads to peace.