God’s Vision for True Love
A Sermon from Philippians 3:3 | Hope Chapel North Shore
God’s Vision for True Love
Philippians 3:3
As a church family at Hope Chapel North Shore, we are walking through Experiencing God and hiding His Word in our hearts. Each week we have memorized Scripture that reminds us that following Jesus is not about performance — it’s about relationship.
From John 15:5 reminding us that apart from Him we can do nothing, to Matthew 22:37 calling us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, Scripture consistently points to one central truth: real love is relational, not religious.
Joy From a Jail Cell
The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians from prison. Not comfort. Not freedom. Not ideal conditions. Yet the theme of Philippians is joy.
In Philippians 3, Paul warns believers not to rely on outward religious appearance. Instead, he describes God’s true people this way:
“For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3:3)
This is God’s vision for true love.
1. Worship by the Spirit of God
True love is not mechanical or performance-based. It is not about checking spiritual boxes. It is about a living relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Religion says, “Do the right things so God will accept you.” Relationship says, “You are accepted in Christ — now walk with Him.”
Worshiping by the Spirit means listening for God’s voice today, not just repeating methods that worked yesterday. It means walking by faith, not by sight.
Walking by Faith Through the Fog
Florence Chadwick once swam for 15 hours toward the California coast in thick fog. Exhausted, she gave up — only to discover she was less than half a mile from shore. She later said, “If I could have seen the shore, I would have made it.”
Vision matters. When we fix our eyes on what God is doing — even when circumstances are unclear — we find strength to keep going.
2. Glory in Christ Jesus
Paul had an impressive spiritual résumé. Yet he counted it all loss compared to knowing Christ. True love does not boast in personal achievement. It boasts in Jesus.
Our confidence is not in our goodness — it is in His grace.
3. Put No Confidence in the Flesh
Outward religion can look impressive, but God sees the heart. It is possible to appear spiritual while missing intimacy with Him.
Obedience is not about copying yesterday’s method. It is about listening to God’s voice today.
A Call to True Love
As a disciple-making church, Hope Chapel North Shore is not aiming for activity alone. We are pursuing intimacy with God.
Are we worshiping by the Spirit? Are we boasting in Christ? Are we releasing confidence in ourselves?
God’s vision for true love is deeper than ritual and bigger than romance. It is a Spirit-filled relationship where we trust Him fully, follow Him faithfully, and love Him wholeheartedly.
And when we do — we will not leave the same way we came.
Full length sermon available under sermons as “God’s Vision For True Love” on 2.14.26.