Jordan Whittington 11/12/25 Jordan Whittington 11/12/25

Pursue Love

Pursue Love

1 Timothy 6:11–12
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things [love of riches and dissension]. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Over the last few months, I have thought a lot about what it means to please God and honor Him with your life. As a pastor, this is probably a natural thought as I have dedicated my career to godly things. Honestly, this should not remain a pastoral pursuit, but the pursuit of all believers everywhere. Pleasing God is living in the way of love.

Today, we focus on Pursuing Love.

It seems simple — but simple doesn’t mean easy. I could have just written those two words and everyone would have an idea of what to do.

Here is the simple thought I want to share with you this morning. It comes straight from Jesus’ mouth on the night He was to be betrayed. John 13:35 — By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

The disciple of Jesus is known, seen, noticed, confirmed by his or her love. How you love reveals who you are.

When many of us are busy, fearful, stressed, overwhelmed, confused, disappointed, discouraged, and unsure, love may be the furthest thing from our mind.

The mantra does not change: Pursue Love.
Keep loving.
Love when it is easy… and when it is hard.
Love those who love you… and those who do not.
Love those who return love… and those who deny love.

If we want to make an impact in this world, it starts with love.

Practical Ways to Pursue Love:

Send a text/note/prayer to a friend.
Perform an act of kindness.
Encourage someone today.
Ask God to help you see a need in which you can help.

Jordan Whittington 11/11/25 Jordan Whittington 11/11/25

Pursue Faith

Pursue Faith

At first thought, the phrase pursue faith does not make sense. Don’t you either have faith or not have faith? How can we pursue something that we claim to have?

As believers who trust in the saving work of Jesus, we need to grow in faith each day to follow and trust our God. I need faith today to speak boldly about God. I need faith to combat temptation. I need faith to be humble. I need faith to trust in God’s provision.

You and I are called to pursue faith because we are called deeper into a trusting relationship with God where we are more dependent upon Him for our every need and desire. Pursuing faith means actively placing more and more of your life under God’s care — choosing to trust Him where you normally trust yourself.

I am reminded of the man with a sick son who comes to Jesus for help in Mark 9. He asks Jesus, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus calls out his qualifying phrase “If you can,” to which the man replies, “I believe; help my unbelief.”

Like that man, our faith is real, yet incomplete. We believe — and yet we need help believing in the places where trust comes slow.

I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who saves sinners by standing in our place of judgment.
I struggle to believe that living according to God’s rules is better.

I believe that God created the world and holds it all together.
I struggle to trust God to provide for my needs.

I believe that God is good and is working for my good.
I struggle to wait on God’s plan and attempt to do it all my way.

I believe. Help my unbelief.

Practical Ways to Pursue Faith:

Identify places you trust self over God.
Think back over God’s goodness to you.
Combat the fear that comes up with an opportunity for faith.

Jordan Whittington 11/10/25 Jordan Whittington 11/10/25

Pursue Godliness

Pursue Godliness

Yesterday, we looked at what it means to pursue righteousness — living right in the eyes of God. Today, Paul calls us to pursue godliness — living with an awareness of God.

In order to best understand what godliness is, I want to start with what ungodliness is. Jerry Bridges defines it as “living one’s everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of His will or His glory, or of my own dependence on Him.”

With that said, godliness, then, is a life that revolves around God — where His presence, purpose, and pleasure shape everything we do. At its core, godliness is not just about behavior but about devotion — loving God enough to let Him shape your priorities, habits, and desires.

There is more to godliness. Earlier in 1 Timothy 2, Paul writes, “…lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”

So not only is godliness to be pursued — godliness is what pleases God. What does God desire for your life? Godliness! He wants you to live consciously considering Him and responding to Him in all things.

Practical ways to pursue godliness:

Start your day with God — pray as you awake.
Find time and ways to worship God.
Give thanks often.

Jordan Whittington 11/7/25 Jordan Whittington 11/7/25

Pursue Series: Righteousness

1 Timothy 6:11–12
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things [love of riches and dissension]. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

As I concluded my time reading through First Timothy this week, the bolded section of vv. 11–12 stood out to me as a litmus test for believers to consider as we seek to live in response to the love of God. So, for the next few days, we are going to unpack the things we are to pursue as I hope to encourage you to start or continue living according to God’s way.

Pursue Righteousness.

What is righteousness? A quick Google search results in this definition: Biblical righteousness is conformity to the divine will and law, encompassing both God's own perfect, holy nature and the state of being accepted as righteous by Him through faith in Christ. A simpler way we may say this is “living right in the eyes of God.”

This means that what I do, think, and say should be done in a manner that is in line with God’s way. Furthermore, what I fail to do, think, and say should be done in a manner that is in line with God’s way. Righteousness isn’t limited to a few “spiritual” areas of life; it shapes every choice and attitude we carry.

Paul writes it plainly in 6:11 to pursue righteousness. I think the word pursue is quite fitting, especially in the context of righteousness, because righteousness is not something we will ever fully complete. We will not be perfectly righteous, but that does not dissuade us from pursuing righteousness. Simply because I cannot be a perfect husband does not mean that I do not pursue being the best husband I can be. Just as I’ll never be a perfect husband yet still strive to love my wife well, so we pursue living rightly before God — not to earn His favor, but because we already have it through Christ.

Practical Ways to Pursue Righteousness:

Integrity is non-negotiable — speak and act in admirable ways.
Do what is right even when no one is looking or will notice.
Treat others with fairness and justice at all times.
Examine your motives — not simply acting out of convenience but based on conscience.

Jordan Whittington 11/6/25 Jordan Whittington 11/6/25

Bible Reading Challenge #57

1 Corinthians 16:12–24

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—
16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence,
18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.
Greetings
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.
20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

A Letter of Grace and Love

Paul comes to the end of a challenging letter.
Throughout 1 Corinthians, he has addressed rivalry, deceit, sexual immorality, disbelief, and spiritual arrogance — among many other issues.

The church in Corinth is full of flawed, broken people — some earnestly trying to follow Jesus, others misusing His name. Yet, at the end of this difficult letter, Paul writes with love.

Paul Hasn’t Given Up

Paul hasn’t given up on this ragtag group of stumbling servants of God.
He hasn’t forgotten or disqualified them.
In fact, he longs to see them face to face.

Why?
Because Paul loves the people of the church at Corinth despite their flaws.
And more importantly, Paul is confident that God hasn’t given up on them either.

Real Problems, Real People, Real God

The letter of 1 Corinthians deals with real problems, real people, and our real God.

You and I are much the same as the believers in Corinth.
Our specific sins may differ, but our faith struggles often look very similar.

Remember This Today

God has not given up on you.
God loves you and sent His Son for you.
God will continue to work in, through, and around you
to make you more like Him.

Because God hasn’t given up on you — don’t give up on others.
Extend to someone today the same grace that God has extended to you.