Abiding in Love: The Call to Selfless Action

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound love of God, I am reminded of the urgency and depth of love that should characterize our lives as followers of Christ. The imagery of human trafficking and the hypothetical scenario of my daughters being taken serves as a powerful metaphor for the intensity with which we should pursue justice and love for all of God's children. This isn't about fulfilling a duty or checking off a list of Christian obligations; it's about a heart ignited by love, a love that mirrors the love God has for us.

In John 15, Jesus speaks of abiding in Him, a concept that transcends mere obedience to commands. Abiding is about living in an intimate, life-giving relationship with Christ, much like a branch connected to a vine or a child in the womb. This connection is not just about survival but about thriving and bearing fruit. Jesus calls us friends, not servants, and invites us to remain in His love, a love as profound as the love between Him and the Father.

This abiding relationship naturally leads to obedience, not out of obligation, but as a natural response to love. Just as a parent gives commands to a child for their joy and safety, God's commands are given so that our joy may be full. The love of Christ compels us to love one another deeply, as He has loved us. This love is not passive but active, driving us to serve and give selflessly.

The church is not a place for consumerism but a community where we come to serve and love one another. True joy is found not in being served but in serving others, reflecting the love of Christ. This transformation from self-centeredness to selflessness is a miracle of God's power, a work of His Spirit in us.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Urgency of Love: Imagining the loss of a loved one can ignite a passion for justice and love that mirrors God's heart for His children. This love should drive us to action, not as a duty, but as a natural response to the love we have received from God. [01:18]

2. Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Christ is about living in an intimate relationship with Him, much like a child in the womb. This connection is vital for our spiritual life and fruitfulness, as it allows us to draw life and nourishment from Him. [07:16]

3. Obedience as a Response to Love: Obedience to God's commands is not about following rules but is a natural response to His love. As we abide in His love, our actions flow from a desire to please Him and reflect His love to others. [11:21]

4. Joy in Obedience: God's commands are given for our joy. Just as a parent guides a child for their well-being, God's instructions lead us to a life of fullness and joy, free from the dangers of self-centeredness. [12:40]

5. The Power of Selfless Love: True joy and fulfillment come from serving others and loving them as Christ has loved us. This transformation from self-centeredness to selflessness is a work of God's Spirit, enabling us to live out His love in community. [18:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Ignorance to Awareness
- [00:50] - Imagining the Loss
- [01:33] - Love in Action
- [02:15] - The Call to Love
- [03:02] - Obsession with John 15
- [03:34] - Abiding in Christ
- [05:20] - Natural Response to Love
- [06:15] - The Picture of Abiding
- [07:49] - Living in God's Protection
- [08:50] - Bearing Fruit for God's Glory
- [10:06] - The Depth of God's Love
- [11:21] - Commands and Joy
- [13:36] - Greater Love
- [15:13] - Loving One Another
- [18:38] - Joy in Selflessness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 15:7-17

Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you"? How does this relate to bearing fruit? [03:34]
2. How does Jesus describe the relationship between love and obedience in John 15? [04:08]
3. What imagery does the pastor use to explain the concept of abiding in Christ, and how does it help us understand this relationship? [06:15]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus calling us friends instead of servants? [04:29]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor's story about imagining his daughters being taken relate to the urgency of love that Jesus calls us to have for others? [01:18]
2. In what ways does the concept of abiding in Christ challenge the idea of Christianity as a list of dos and don'ts? [03:02]
3. How does the pastor interpret the command to love one another as Jesus has loved us? What does this look like in practical terms? [15:13]
4. What does the pastor suggest is the source of true joy, and how does this connect to the idea of selfless love? [18:38]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt compelled to act out of love rather than obligation. How can you cultivate this kind of love in your daily life? [01:18]
2. What are some practical ways you can "abide" in Christ this week? Consider your daily routines and spiritual practices. [07:16]
3. Think of a command from God that you find challenging to obey. How might viewing it as an expression of love change your perspective? [11:21]
4. Identify a community or group where you can serve selflessly. What steps can you take to become more involved in serving others? [18:38]
5. How can you shift your mindset from being a consumer at church to being a contributor? What specific actions can you take to serve others in your church community? [16:41]
6. Consider a relationship in your life where you can demonstrate greater love. What is one specific action you can take this week to show love to that person? [15:13]
7. Reflect on the idea that God's commands are given for our joy. How can this understanding influence the way you approach obedience to God? [12:40]

Devotional

Day 1: The Urgency of Love
Reflecting on the profound love of God, we are reminded of the urgency and depth of love that should characterize our lives as followers of Christ. Imagining the loss of a loved one, such as a child being taken, can ignite a passion for justice and love that mirrors God's heart for His children. This love should drive us to action, not as a duty, but as a natural response to the love we have received from God. It is a call to pursue justice and love for all of God's children with the same intensity and urgency. [01:18]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where you can actively pursue justice or show love to someone in need today. How can you mirror God's love in this situation?


Day 2: Abiding in Christ
Abiding in Christ is about living in an intimate relationship with Him, much like a child in the womb. This connection is vital for our spiritual life and fruitfulness, as it allows us to draw life and nourishment from Him. Jesus invites us to remain in His love, a love as profound as the love between Him and the Father. This abiding relationship is not just about survival but about thriving and bearing fruit, as we are connected to the source of life and love. [07:16]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your connection with Christ and abide in His love more fully?


Day 3: Obedience as a Response to Love
Obedience to God's commands is not about following rules but is a natural response to His love. As we abide in His love, our actions flow from a desire to please Him and reflect His love to others. Just as a parent gives commands to a child for their joy and safety, God's commands are given so that our joy may be full. This obedience is not burdensome but a joyful expression of our love for God and others. [11:21]

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one command of God that you find challenging to obey. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an expression of love rather than an obligation?


Day 4: Joy in Obedience
God's commands are given for our joy. Just as a parent guides a child for their well-being, God's instructions lead us to a life of fullness and joy, free from the dangers of self-centeredness. True joy is found not in being served but in serving others, reflecting the love of Christ. This transformation from self-centeredness to selflessness is a miracle of God's power, a work of His Spirit in us. [12:40]

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of obedience to God. How did it bring joy to your life or the lives of others?


Day 5: The Power of Selfless Love
True joy and fulfillment come from serving others and loving them as Christ has loved us. This transformation from self-centeredness to selflessness is a work of God's Spirit, enabling us to live out His love in community. The church is not a place for consumerism but a community where we come to serve and love one another. This selfless love is active, driving us to serve and give selflessly, reflecting the love of Christ. [18:38]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can you demonstrate selfless love in this act of service?

Quotes


I remember laying in that bed thinking about my daughters and Imagining the things that were being done to them if they were taken and just what I would do and I remember the Lord just saying friend that's how I want you to love all of my kids you know I want you to care about this to feel for this not just go okay here's my Christian duty but in my heart to love because the Bible says look if you give your whole body and everything you own it it's going to profit you nothing without that love he wants us to be lovers. [00:02:00]

In John 15 listen to the the words I mean does this sound like dos and don'ts in in John 15:7 if you abide in me and my words abide in you ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you by this my father is glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples as the father has loved me so have I loved you abide in my love if you keep my Commandments you'll abide in my love just as I've kept my father's Commandments and abide in his love these things I've spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full. [00:03:34]

He said I'm not calling you slaves I'm calling you friends but this this first phrase when he says abide in me remain in me you know that that word uh abide means to live and this morning I thought gosh Lord what what does this mean like abide in you I know he's talking about the vine and the branches but I'm not really a Vine or a branch or I don't really get that and this picture just came to me me thought oh my gosh that's exactly what he's saying. [00:05:34]

Think about the intimate picture he's saying go I want you to live inside of me I want you to live inside of me he goes abide actually live remain in me and I was thinking about that cord you guys know you have a cord in there Rachel okay and and it's like that is all that's keeping them alive I mean that's the picture he he gives of the vine and the branches he goes you're like a branch you've got to stay attached to me but then he he uses this word like remain live inside of me. [00:06:36]

You do that and you'll bear much fruit because if you abide in me and my words abide in you ask whatever you wish it's going to be given to you but if you're going to go off acting independently doing your own thing dreaming your own dreams good luck with that he says ou'll accomplish nothing but you abide in me he goes in fact it's not that God it's not like I'm on my knees saying God please please please I know you don't want to do great things through me but please do it anyways because I'm asking that's not what he says in verse eight he says by this my father is glorified that you bear much fruit. [00:08:06]

As the father has loved me so have I loved you man do we believe this Jesus the Eternal Son of God going you know how much the father loves me you talk about abiding we're one I am the father you've seen me you've seen the Father Like We are one for all of eternity and he goes and as the father has loved me that's what I feel for you that's the love I have for you it's equal even as in the Greek even as the father has loved me so have I loved you and all I'm asking is just stay in that love. [00:10:06]

He says the commands are of overflow of that I mean it's if you love me you'll obey what I command the two go together so it's not just as oh we have these feelings for each other no this feeling causes us dry D us to action it's like I love him so much I don't want to disappoint him I don't want to do the things that he hates it's just like the natural response if my daughter's out on streets if my daughter's abducted somewhere my natural response is not just oh I still have feelings for her no that feeling drives me to action. [00:11:12]

Why does he give you these commands he goes because I want the joy of Jesus Jesus who is freaked out about nothing Jesus who is the most joyful being in existence he says I want that type of joy in you okay I want you to be in me and I'm giving you these commands why because I want joy in your life man many of us our parents why do we give commands to our kids it's not to ruin their lives it's Joy it's like no it's better if you don't play in the freeway. [00:12:11]

I want you to love each other as much as I love you can I know we come here and it's not like we don't love each other you know or have some sort of feeling for each other but what God wants is he wants this miracle to take place where I so accept the love of God that I am just beaming and I'm overflowing and it becomes natural for me to see you and go okay there's John and it's just natural to love him as Jesus has loved me as for me to see see Angel and go okay God I want to love him as much as Jesus loved me. [00:15:36]

Joy comes from being a giver Joy comes from God delivering me from being this selfish self-centered everywhere I go what about me what about me no one's taking care about me and when God changes you you're overwhelmed by the love of God and you can just abide in him and go man I'm good I'm I'm like inside of God right now he calls me his friend I'm attached to him he says no one will ever love you more Francis just stay right here under me I'll protect you I'll give you life just abide in me. [00:18:38]

I believe it is a miracle from God I believe it's the power of God so here's what I want to do I want to I'm done talking here's what I want to do Jesus says at the end of that I guess I'm not done talking at at the end of that passage though he says you didn't choose me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit that your fruit should abide so that whatever you ask the father in my name he will give you he say whatever you ask me in the father's name in my name the father will give you wherever you ask the father in my name the father will give you he'll give it to you like there's power in this prayer. [00:21:18]

I want to have a time of just prayer and deliverance from self-centeredness like some of you guys are hearing me and you're going man I wake up thinking about me I just do I wake up and I think about myself and I don't want to do that anymore maybe I don't get the love of God maybe I don't understand maybe I'm not abiding in him but I want that to change I'm tired of being selfish I'm not a giver but I want to be okay that doesn't just happen it's about the power of prayer to believe these words Jesus says look if you ask for this in my name I'll give it to you God wants to do this today. [00:22:34]

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Transcript
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