Last week we talked about the foundation for real love in a relationship. This week's lesson is going to springboard off that Truth with a true story about a couple who went through horrible and unusual trials. I ask you to listen to this true story. It's going to take a while to tell it in detail, but it is so incredible that it is worth it. Much of our lesson will come from these true events.

Today's lesson will obviously be on relationships—especially on marriages—but this will not be one of those, "how to" lessons studied in the past. This is a study which goes directly to the very root of why God even created marriage and what real intimate love is at its very essence.

Are you a sucker for a love story?  Especially one where love conquers all?  Then today's message is for you.  Listen to the true story of a love that survived the lowest of lows and the darkest of nights.  A love that was unearned and undeserved.  The story of a man who loved a woman and taught her what love could be.  Sound too good to be true?  It isn't!  Listen to find out what happened and how their story could be yours too!

Marriage isn't an easy task.  And yet God compares the relationship between Christ and the church to the relationship between a husband and wife.  Today Pastor Doss extols the joys of marriage, even in the sacrifices.

When you are a visitor to a church, or you get a visit from a pastor or Christian group, what is the main thing you feel like they are trying to do for you? Get you saved. But some people can feel totally spooked out, and even resentful that someone who doesn't know them, and seemingly has no personal feelings or care for them at all, can just tell them how their disbelief and evil ways are going to make them burn in hell forever, having shown them no personal worth, love, or heartfelt concern before slamming them; never letting them see the true heart or plan behind everything Jesus has done for them.

This is the last in a short series of learning how to love as Jesus loves. We know that we can literally learn to love as Jesus did, because He commanded us to do so at the Last Supper: John 13:34-35. We can look back at all of the New Testament which followed this Command, and see clearly how to love as He has loved, but most of us have chosen an easier and more comfortable path of shallow love and routine righteousness to satisfy our Christian walk. And in the process, missing everything Jesus came to accomplish through us.

Even the best news, presented with only part of the information, or with the wrong attitude, can be perceived as not so great.  Think about it.  You just found out you are having that baby you always wanted and you tell your spouse right after he shares that he lost his job.  Great news that otherwise would have been celebrated has now lost some of its joy.

Unfortunately, that often happens with the salvation message of Jesus.  Sometimes well meaning followers present the Good News in the wrong way, or at the wrong time, or with the wrong focus.  This can cause those needing rescued to get the wrong message and turn away from the life preserver of Jesus sacrifice.  Find out some of the common presentation mistakes and discover what His true message is in today's sermon from Pastor Doss.

Some of the most incredible lessons God has ever taught me have taken place in the last 40 days aa He used events in Cleveland to show me things fresh and new, like never before. Some very private, but some that are supposed to be shared...

Today Pastor Doss concludes his series, Lessons from an IV Bag, with a message about the most important ministry you have been given.  Want to know what it is?  Click below to listen.

Thank you so much for your prayers for Mark and his family after we had to cut last week's sermon short due to an emergency.  Pastor Doss will give you an update, before he continues with his message on loving as Christ loves.  Click the link below to listen.