Building Enduring Relationships Through God's Covenant Love
Summary
In my sermon, I began by expressing gratitude for the children's choir and their leader, Ms. Jen, for their wonderful performance. I introduced myself as Connor Bales, the pastor here at the North Campus of our church, and extended a warm welcome to all, especially newcomers, inviting them to connect with me after the service. I then directed the congregation to 1 Corinthians chapter 13, as we continued our series entitled "The Way Home," which focuses on God's design for human flourishing through marriage and family.
I explained that God is the designer, definer, and redeemer of marriage and family, and that sin has fractured these relationships, necessitating the gospel's redemptive work. I emphasized that the kind of love God shows us is covenant love, which is sacrificial and displayed in Jesus Christ. I pointed out that the world often corrupts the word "love," using it in ways that do not align with its biblical definition.
I then delved into the foundational aspect of biblical love, likening it to laying rebar and pouring concrete for a sturdy foundation. I referenced Jesus' teaching in Matthew chapter 7 about the wise man who built his house on the rock, enduring storms because of its solid foundation. I stressed that relationships founded on the love of God, known in Jesus Christ, are the ones that endure.
I addressed the familiarity of 1 Corinthians 13, noting its frequent use in wedding ceremonies and its placement in Paul's letter to address the divided and conflicted Corinthian church. I highlighted that the absence of love not only affected the church but also has profound implications for our families.
Moving on, I discussed the transformative power of love, sharing personal testimonies of how love has changed me and my family. I emphasized that love has the power to change things eternally and that we have the privilege to share and show this love with others. I challenged the congregation to consider whether they truly mean it when they say "I love you," using the example of Lane Frost from the movie "Eight Seconds" to illustrate the need to show love, even when it's difficult.
I then addressed the Corinthian church's pride in their spiritual accomplishments, reminding them that without love, these achievements are meaningless. I shared the personal impact of my father's love and encouraged the congregation to experience God's love in Jesus Christ, inviting them to make decisions such as accepting Christ, joining the church, being baptized, or seeking prayer.
In conclusion, I prayed for the congregation, asking God to help us stand on His foundation of love and to cause us to be more like His son, Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's design for marriage and family is rooted in His covenant love, which is sacrificial and redemptive. This love is the foundation upon which our relationships must be built to withstand the inevitable storms of life. Just as a house needs a solid foundation to endure, our marriages and families require the steadfast love of God to remain strong and resilient. [04:27]
2. The transformative power of love is not limited to our earthly relationships but extends into eternity. As I have been changed by the love shown to me by my church family, I am reminded that love's impact is eternal. It is through God's eternal covenant love that we are empowered to change the lives of others, offering hope for restoration and healing in even the most fractured relationships. [35:03]
3. True love requires action and demonstration, especially in the face of challenges. Just as Lane Frost in "Eight Seconds" needed to see love shown in difficult circumstances, we too must be willing to show love to those who may be covered in the messes of life. This is the love that Christ showed us, and it is this love that has the power to change and restore broken relationships. [36:35]
4. Love is not about keeping score or holding onto past wrongs. It is about being present and future-focused, seeking the good of the other person without bringing up past failures as ammunition in arguments. By letting go of resentments and choosing to love selflessly, we reflect the nature of God's love, which keeps no record of wrongs. [31:48]
5. The eternal nature of love surpasses all other virtues. As I concluded with 1 Corinthians 13:13, I emphasized that faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love. This eternal declaration reminds us that while many things in life are temporary, love never ends. It is the greatest gift we can offer and the most enduring legacy we can leave behind. [33:25]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
2. Matthew 7:24-27
3. Romans 5:8
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul say about the importance of love in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? How does he describe actions done without love? [07:02]
2. According to Matthew 7:24-27, what is the difference between the wise man and the foolish man in Jesus' parable? What does this teach us about foundations?
3. In Romans 5:8, how does Paul describe God's demonstration of love towards us? What does this imply about the nature of true love?
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts and sacrifices are meaningless? How does this relate to the Corinthian church's issues? [08:31]
2. How does the parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7 relate to building relationships on the foundation of God's love? What are the practical implications of this teaching?
3. Reflecting on Romans 5:8, how does the sacrificial nature of God's love challenge our understanding of love in our personal relationships?
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#### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you did something good but without the right motive. How did it feel, and what was the outcome? How can you ensure your actions are motivated by love in the future? [08:31]
2. Jesus' parable in Matthew 7 emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation. What steps can you take to ensure your relationships are built on the solid foundation of God's love? [04:27]
3. Reflect on a relationship in your life that is currently strained. How can you apply the principles of patience and kindness from 1 Corinthians 13 to begin healing that relationship? [16:12]
4. Paul mentions that love "keeps no record of wrongs." Is there someone you need to forgive and stop holding past mistakes against? How can you start this process? [31:48]
5. The sermon highlighted the transformative power of love. Can you share a personal story where love made a significant impact on your life or someone else's? How can you be a conduit of that transformative love to others? [35:03]
6. In what ways can you demonstrate love to someone who is difficult to love, as illustrated by the example of Lane Frost in "Eight Seconds"? What practical steps can you take this week? [36:35]
7. How can you actively show love in your church community, especially to those who might feel left out or marginalized? What specific actions can you take to make a difference? [39:44]
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This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon and apply its teachings to their lives. Encourage open and honest discussion, and remind participants that the goal is to grow in understanding and practice of God's love.
Devotional
Day 1: Covenant Love: Marriage's True Foundation
The concept of covenant love is not merely a lofty ideal but the very bedrock upon which marriages and families must be constructed. This love is characterized by its sacrificial nature, mirroring the love that Jesus Christ has for humanity. It is a love that commits beyond feelings and circumstances, choosing to act in the best interest of the other, even when it is difficult. In a world where love is often reduced to an emotion or a transactional exchange, covenant love stands as a testament to God's original design for relationships—a design that is meant to endure the storms of life and provide a stable, nurturing environment for human flourishing. This love is not passive; it is active and requires daily decisions to put the needs of others before one's own desires. [04:27]
Ephesians 5:25-27: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate covenant love in your marriage or family today, choosing to act sacrificially for the benefit of your loved ones?
Day 2: Love's Eternal Impact
The transformative power of love extends far beyond the temporal realm, reaching into eternity. Love has the capacity to change hearts, mend brokenness, and restore relationships in ways that are both profound and lasting. It is through the lens of eternal covenant love that one can view the trials and tribulations of life, understanding that the love shared and shown to others has the potential to impact not just the present but also the future. This perspective encourages believers to live out love in a way that seeks to bring about eternal good, offering hope and healing to those around them. The love that has changed one's own life is the same love that empowers individuals to become agents of change in the lives of others. [35:03]
1 John 4:11-12: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the transformative power of love to impact someone's life for eternity?
Day 3: Demonstrating Love in Action
True love is not merely spoken; it is demonstrated through actions, particularly in challenging circumstances. It is easy to profess love when conditions are favorable, but the authenticity of love is tested when it is called to action amidst life's messes. The example of Christ's love is a call to action, to show love to those who may be struggling or in need, without hesitation or judgment. This kind of love is powerful and can lead to the restoration of the most fractured relationships. It is a love that does not shy away from difficulty but instead embraces it as an opportunity to embody the love of Christ. [36:35]
James 2:15-17: "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Can you identify someone in your life who is in a difficult situation, and how can you show them Christ-like love through your actions today?
Day 4: Love Beyond the Past
Love that is true and reflective of God's nature does not keep a tally of wrongs but looks forward with grace and forgiveness. It is a love that is present-focused, seeking the well-being of others without allowing past mistakes to cloud the relationship. This kind of love requires a conscious decision to let go of resentments and to love selflessly, mirroring the way God loves humanity. It is a love that chooses to see the potential and value in others, rather than being hindered by their past failures. By embodying this love, one can foster relationships that are healthy, forgiving, and forward-looking. [31:48]
Colossians 3:12-14: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to release past grievances and show love that is not hindered by previous wrongs?
Day 5: The Supremacy of Love
Among all virtues, love is supreme. It is the greatest gift one can offer and the most enduring legacy one can leave behind. Love is the virtue that outlasts all others, remaining when all else fades away. This eternal nature of love is a reminder of its importance and the priority it should hold in one's life. It is a call to cherish and cultivate love in all relationships, recognizing that while many aspects of life are temporary, love is the constant that never ends. By prioritizing love, one can live a life that is rich in meaning and leaves an impact that transcends time. [33:25]
1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."
Reflection: How can you prioritize love in your daily interactions to ensure it becomes the greatest legacy you leave behind?
Quotes
"I am unappreciative, and when I am unaware of it, and I'm changed because of it. Listen, I can tell you today in 2024, I have been changed by the last five years and the way this church has loved me and my family because you guys have modeled love. I'm different. That's the power of love. It changes people, and listen, I'm not just different for now. I'm different forever because that's what love does." [35:03]
"I would just say, family, if you say I love you, and you mean that, you're going to have to show it, and at times, there are going to be people who are covered in the stuff we've been shoveling, but think about God's love for us and what we were covered in when Jesus Christ came to rescue, and he showed it." [36:35]
"Your marriage is not too far gone. God's love can change it. The relationship with a sibling is not so fractured and so broken that it can't be restored. God's love has the power to change it, but you're going to have to mean it when you say it, that I love you." [38:12]
"You'll be remembered. By your love. My dad went home to heaven in 2017. The anniversary of his passing was just this last week. I have very few memorabilia from my dad's life, very few things, but the thing I hold dearly is that I knew, I never doubted whether or not my dad loved me. That's the power of love." [39:44]
"Love is not irritable. And think about God, how he has been so gracious and merciful. Not toward us. Psalm 103 verse eight says, the Lord is merciful. He is gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." [30:24]
"Love keeps no record of wrongs. It is not resentful. So if you are engaged in an argument and your default ammunition, every time you're seeking to shoot down the other person with whom you're disagreeing with is to remind them of the mistake that they made that time before and the time before that and the time before that is unloving." [31:48]
"I am who I am today because my bride Mary has loved me. I am forever changed because despite what you all believe, there are seconds of every year that I'm unlovable, and yet, and yet, that wasn't a joke, that was their serious, but whatever, huh, and yet my bride loves me, and she has shown love to me when I am undeserving." [33:25]
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