Love, Apparently - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - Service April 19, 2026

Love, Apparently Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 1 John 4:7-11 Episode Summary Opening with a hilarious father-daughter skit about a girl who "loves" a boy named Kyle who calls her Tiffany (her name is Emily), Pastor Michael tackles our culture's confusion about love - using the same word for chicken wings and devotion. Through 1 John's teaching, he reveals that real love doesn't start with us but with God, and the revolutionary truth that the love flowing TO us must flow THROUGH us. Key Points – Love comes from God and doesn't start with you - our capacity for love is rooted in God's love for us, not our effort – Everyone who loves is born of God, and demonstrating love isn't what you do to know God but what you do because you're in His Family – God IS Love because He's the Source of All Love - without God, we only have the fake, selfish version the world preaches – The greatest revelation of God's Love is Jesus - God didn't just say "I love you," He strapped on sandals and walked with us – Propitiation means the Judge paid your fine and took your jail sentence - the Cross satisfied justice rather than canceling it – Biblical love seeks someone's ultimate good, not what's easiest - it means telling truth in love and sometimes setting wise boundaries Main Takeaway God's Love TO us must flow THROUGH us. Don't be the Dead Sea where water only flows in and evaporates, making you salty in a bad way. Be the Sea of Galilee where water flows in and flows out, creating life. Real love is sacrificial, intentional, costly, and unconditional - not emotional, optional, selective, or cheap. You cannot receive God's Love and refuse to give God's Love. Memorable Quotes – "God's Love TO must flow THROUGH us." – "Love doesn't start with you... it starts with God." – "If you want to know what love is, don't look at TV or Movies or TikTok's. Look at The Cross." – "You cannot receive God's Love and refuse to give God's Love." – "Don't be the Dead Sea. Be the Sea of Galilee." – "Real love is not emotional, not optional, not selective, and not cheap. It is sacrificial, intentional, costly, and unconditional." Reflection Question Are you the Dead Sea (receiving God's love but not passing it on) or the Sea of Galilee (letting love flow through you)? Who are the unlovable people in your life that God is calling you to love with His love flowing through you? Tune in to hear the delightful "Love, Apparently" skit featuring Kyle with the broccoli haircut, the powerful courtroom illustration of propitiation where the Judge pays your fine and takes your jail sentence, and why newborn babies look more like Shar Pei dogs than their daddies but the family resemblance grows stronger over time. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly