Calibrating Life: Love and Service in Mortality
Summary
### Summary
Today, I shared a personal story about my fear of flying, particularly a harrowing experience with Ariana Airlines in Afghanistan. This story served as a backdrop to emphasize the importance of calibrating our lives in light of our mortality. We often get caught up in the trivialities of life, but moments of fear and uncertainty can bring clarity about what truly matters: our relationship with God and our love for others.
We are in a series about our church's direction and priorities for the coming year. The central theme is to "calibrate your life in light of your death," with Christ at the center. This means living each day with the awareness that our time is limited and focusing on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our love for others.
To illustrate this, we looked at Jesus' farewell discourse in John 13-17, where He washes His disciples' feet. This act of humility and service encapsulates the essence of His teachings. Jesus, knowing His time was near, chose to serve His disciples, demonstrating that true greatness lies in humility and love. He gave a new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you." This commandment is not just about generalized niceness but involves faithful, developmental, and sacrificial love.
Faithful love means sticking with people through thick and thin. Developmental love involves helping others grow and reach their full potential in Christ. Sacrificial love means giving up something valuable for the sake of something more valuable—just as Jesus did for us.
In practical terms, this means we should be willing to serve one another in ways that may seem demeaning or uncomfortable, just as Jesus washed His disciples' feet. This kind of love will not only strengthen our community but also serve as a powerful witness to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Calibrate Your Life in Light of Your Death: Living with the awareness of our mortality helps us focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our love for others. This perspective shifts our priorities and helps us live more meaningful lives. [37:57]
2. Jesus' Example of Humility and Service: Jesus washing His disciples' feet is a powerful example of humility and service. Despite being the most important person in the universe, He chose to perform a task considered demeaning. This act teaches us that true greatness lies in serving others. [40:36]
3. The New Commandment to Love: Jesus' new commandment to "love one another as I have loved you" is both simple and profound. It calls us to a higher standard of love that is faithful, developmental, and sacrificial. This kind of love is a clear indicator of true discipleship. [45:13]
4. Faithful and Developmental Love: Jesus' love was faithful and developmental. He stuck with His disciples through their ups and downs and helped them grow into their full potential. We are called to love others in the same way, being there for them and helping them grow. [53:00]
5. Sacrificial Love: Sacrificial love involves giving up something valuable for the sake of something more valuable. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross is the highest example of this kind of love. We are called to love others sacrificially, putting their needs above our own. [57:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:53] - Introduction: Fear of Flying
[32:41] - The Ariana Airlines Experience
[33:24] - Delayed Flight and Mechanical Issues
[34:08] - Flying Out of Kabul
[34:36] - Circling Kabul
[35:21] - Over the Iranian Desert
[35:57] - Reflections on Mortality
[37:18] - Series Introduction: Calibrate Your Life
[37:57] - What Truly Matters
[38:45] - Jesus' Farewell Discourse
[39:46] - Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
[40:36] - The Significance of Foot Washing
[41:14] - Cultural Context of Foot Washing
[43:21] - Jesus' New Commandment
[45:13] - The Nature of a Commandment
[48:37] - Why the Commandment is New
[50:18] - Stepping into a New Reality
[52:18] - Loving One Another
[53:00] - Faithful and Developmental Love
[57:11] - Sacrificial Love
[58:48] - Personal Experience with Foot Washing
[01:02:14] - Vision for the Church Community
[01:03:26] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 13:1-17 (Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet)
2. John 13:34-35 (The New Commandment)
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions did Jesus take to demonstrate humility and service in John 13:1-17?
2. How did Jesus' knowledge of His impending death influence His actions and teachings in John 13:1-3?
3. What is the significance of Jesus washing His disciples' feet, considering the cultural context of the time? [41:14]
4. What new commandment does Jesus give in John 13:34-35, and how does He describe the nature of this love?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to wash His disciples' feet as a demonstration of His teachings on humility and service? [40:36]
2. How does the awareness of our mortality, as discussed in the sermon, help us focus on what truly matters in life? [37:57]
3. In what ways does Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you" set a higher standard for love compared to previous commandments? [45:13]
4. How can the concepts of faithful, developmental, and sacrificial love be applied in our relationships within the church community? [53:00]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced fear or uncertainty. How did it help you recalibrate your priorities and focus on what truly matters? [35:57]
2. Jesus demonstrated humility by performing a task considered demeaning. What are some practical ways you can serve others in your community, even if it feels uncomfortable or beneath you? [40:36]
3. Think about someone in your life who has been a consistent source of support. How can you show faithful love to them in return, especially during difficult times? [53:17]
4. Identify a person in your church or community who could benefit from developmental love. What specific actions can you take to help them grow and reach their full potential in Christ? [53:36]
5. Sacrificial love involves giving up something valuable for the sake of something more valuable. What is one thing you can sacrifice this week to better serve someone else? [57:11]
6. Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet was a powerful symbol of humility and service. What is a corresponding action you can take to show love and humility to someone in your life? [58:48]
7. Discuss with your group what it means to "calibrate your life in light of your death." How can this perspective change the way you live daily, focusing on your relationship with God and love for others? [37:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Living with Mortality in Mind
Description: Living with the awareness of our mortality helps us focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our love for others. This perspective shifts our priorities and helps us live more meaningful lives. When we understand that our time on earth is limited, we are more likely to invest in things that have eternal significance rather than getting caught up in trivial pursuits. This mindset encourages us to deepen our relationship with God and to love others more intentionally and sacrificially. [37:57]
Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Reflection: Think about one area of your life where you are spending time on trivial matters. How can you reallocate that time to deepen your relationship with God or to love others more intentionally?
Day 2: Humility and Service
Description: Jesus washing His disciples' feet is a powerful example of humility and service. Despite being the most important person in the universe, He chose to perform a task considered demeaning. This act teaches us that true greatness lies in serving others. By humbling Himself, Jesus demonstrated that leadership and greatness are not about power or status but about serving others selflessly. This example challenges us to look for ways to serve others, even in tasks that may seem beneath us. [40:36]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Identify a task or service opportunity that you have avoided because it seems demeaning or uncomfortable. How can you take a step to serve in that area this week?
Day 3: The New Commandment to Love
Description: Jesus' new commandment to "love one another as I have loved you" is both simple and profound. It calls us to a higher standard of love that is faithful, developmental, and sacrificial. This kind of love is a clear indicator of true discipleship. It goes beyond mere niceness and involves a deep, committed, and selfless love that mirrors Jesus' love for us. This commandment challenges us to love others in a way that is transformative and reflective of Christ's love. [45:13]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience faithful, developmental, and sacrificial love. What is one specific action you can take this week to show them this kind of love?
Day 4: Faithful and Developmental Love
Description: Jesus' love was faithful and developmental. He stuck with His disciples through their ups and downs and helped them grow into their full potential. We are called to love others in the same way, being there for them and helping them grow. This means being patient, encouraging, and supportive, even when it is difficult. Faithful love involves commitment and consistency, while developmental love focuses on helping others become who God created them to be. [53:00]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "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: Reflect on a relationship where you have struggled to be faithful and developmental. What is one practical step you can take to be more supportive and encouraging in that relationship?
Day 5: Sacrificial Love
Description: Sacrificial love involves giving up something valuable for the sake of something more valuable. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross is the highest example of this kind of love. We are called to love others sacrificially, putting their needs above our own. This means being willing to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of others, whether it is our time, resources, or comfort. Sacrificial love is a powerful witness to the world and reflects the heart of Christ. [57:11]
John 15:13 (ESV): "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Reflection: Consider a personal sacrifice you can make this week to meet the needs of someone else. How can you demonstrate sacrificial love in a tangible way?
Quotes
1. "Calibrate your life in light of your death. We're one life church. We want to remind you you're in one life. You have one life only and you're in it right now. It's going to go a little bit quicker than you thought. And it will end. And instead of pitching that end out to a foggy future, pull it to your present and use it. Because what I have discovered about moments like that, and I obviously, we made it to Dubai and we did okay. And I'm here. But that moment taught me what was, what was important to" [37:18] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Thinking about God. Thinking about eternal things. Thinking about who he is. And thinking about the people that I love and that I care about. That matters now as much as it mattered when I wanted off that plane so bad I couldn't hardly stand it. So that's what you're doing. You're kind of calibrating your life off the day of, in light of your death. Now last week we also added one because we wanted to avoid a little mistake we can make with this. It's calibrate your life in light of your death with Christ at the same time." [37:57] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "With Christ at the center. In other words, you don't want to kind of look forward, yeah you only live once and kind of reach your own conclusions emotionally or mentally or whatever what you ought to do about life. You ought to look at him and have him tell you what is important to do. Now the best way you can onboard to that entire reality and that entire thing if you really want to hear what Jesus has to say about your life, about your death and everything else." [38:45] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He knows he has authority. He has power. He's positionally the greatest person in the universe. And what he does with it is nothing short of amazing in telling about who God is and everything else. He gets up and he washes the disciples feet. Now I would say to those who explore and those who wonder about faith. Even if you don't believe in this God, you should want to believe in this God. You would want God to be that way. That's an amazing statement." [40:36] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "A new commandment. I give you. That you love one another. Even as I have loved you. That you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples. If you have love for one another. Simon Peter said to him. Lord where are you going? Jesus answered. Where I go you cannot follow me now. But you will follow later. Now those two things are very important to put together." [44:26] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "He says. As I have loved you. You are to love one another. He puts a definition on it. He puts a character around it. So that brings up another question. How did Jesus love them? What did he mean to love? Because too often. In our culture. In our lives. In our overall society. Views love. As what I would call. Generalized niceness. I'm basically nice to people. That I like. I'm not quite as nice to people. Who I don't like. I'm a loving guy. You know. That's kind of it." [52:18] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We know he was faithful. It says. He having loved his own. He loved them to the end. Jesus' love was faithful. You want people. Who will be with you. Through thick and thin. You want people. Who will be with you. Even and love you. Even when you are annoying. Which for some of us. Is more often than not. Let's just say it. That's what faithfulness is. I'm not just with you. When you're just. Making my life shine. We've got our ups and downs. But I'm going to be here. For you. He was faithful." [53:00] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus love is sacrificial. I'm not nearly as intrigued. By that one. because I know what it means. Sacrifice is giving up something you value for something you value ultimately more. And it involves giving up. Now, remember we said that the foot washing thing was a portrait of everything he's going to tell them. So let's go back and read his commentary on the foot washing. He says, so when he washed their feet and taken his garments and reclined at the table again, he said to them, do you know what I've done to you?" [57:11] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "What is the corresponding action? That shows love to one another. Because here's what it does. It says, not a pure bone in my body. I'm not above anything. I'm not above anyone. Even if I stand on this platform, I'm not. Not even remotely. The second thing it did was it said, I want you to experience your redemptive potential. And I want you to experience Jesus' love. So what's the corresponding service that we grant to one another? That's the question I want us to ask in the coming week." [01:01:00] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We say that our mission statement is to equip a Christ-centered community that will help people far from God. Trust and follow Jesus. The first task is to get us relating together to where we're at least symbolically willing to wash one another's feet. Maybe a little bit. You go for it. And have that kind of place. And Jesus goes on to say in that very passage, if you do that stuff, people know. They know. They can tell. I walk in this place, holy cow. And that's the part of the mission." [01:02:14] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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