A Church That Loves People | Pastor Joe Little | 01.25.26

Devotional

Day 1: Lifting Holy Hands as an Act of Total Surrender

Worship is more than just singing songs; it is an offering of your entire life to God. When you lift your hands in prayer, you are declaring that these hands are sacred and set apart for His use. They could be used for work, for hobbies, or for yourself, but in this moment, you choose to give them to Him. This physical posture reflects a spiritual reality where you acknowledge that your life belongs to the Father. By raising your hands, you are making a personal declaration of your dependence on His grace. [17:56]

"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling." — 1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 2: Choosing the Best Thing Over the Good Things

It is easy to get caught up in the good tasks of life, like maintaining a home or managing your career. Like Martha, you may often focus on the work that needs to be done while missing the Person who matters most. Jesus invites you to recognize that while your responsibilities are important, sitting at His feet is what is truly better. God does not want you to settle for an average life defined by busyness, but for the best life found in His presence. Today, you are invited to prioritize your relationship with Him above the noise of the world. [35:41]

"But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'" — Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)

Reflection: When you consider the pace and pressure of your daily life, what spiritual practice could you adopt to create more space to recognize God's presence?

Day 3: Guarding Your Heart Against the Distraction of Busyness

Busyness is one of the primary reasons we stop loving God and people with the intensity we once had. You can be doing hard work for the Kingdom and yet lose the very heart of why you serve. Jesus sees your long commutes, your early mornings, and your overtime, but He also warns against letting those things crowd out your first love. If your schedule has become so full that there is no room to serve or care for others, it may be time to re-evaluate your priorities. Treating your schedule like a budget helps ensure that God’s priorities receive your best time and attention. [59:26]

"I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil... But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." — Revelation 2:2, 4 (ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of obedience or service you’ve been postponing because of a busy season? What is one small, concrete action you can take this week to move toward faithful obedience?

Day 4: Refusing to Let Pain Narrow Your Soul

Unaddressed pain has a way of narrowing your focus until you can see nothing but your own struggle. When you experience heartbreak or trauma, it is natural to develop a "what about me" mentality that prevents you from seeing the needs of others. However, Jesus modeled a different way by loving and forgiving even while He was suffering on the cross. You are called to address your pain in His presence rather than just building up a high tolerance for it. By bringing your hurts to the Father, you allow Him to restore the kindness and joy that pain tries to steal. [01:06:14]

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." — 1 John 3:1 (ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that feels strained or distant due to past hurt. How might God be inviting you to participate in reconciliation, even in a small way?

Day 5: Demonstrating Love Through Our Actions Not Just Words

Biblical love is not merely an emotion or a feeling; it is a choice expressed through your deeds. You know God loves you because He demonstrated that love by sending Christ to die for you while you were still a sinner. In the same way, you are called to go back to the works of love, treating others with the grace you have received. This means viewing every person—even those you disagree with—as a child of God who is worthy of honor. Your faith becomes visible to the world when your actions align with the love you profess. Let your life be a demonstration of the Gospel to everyone you encounter. [01:21:47]

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." — Romans 5:8 (ESV)

Reflection: Where have you recently sensed God inviting you to trust Him more deeply by serving someone who cannot repay you, and what practical step of faith could you take this week in response?

Sermon Summary

Worship shapes identity: lifting holy hands signals surrender and a refusal to let the world define worth. The community is called to be a people set apart for worship and for loving others — not merely a place of good experiences but a place that embodies Jesus’ priorities. Drawing from Revelation 2 and the example of the church in Ephesus, the speaker exposes a dangerous drift: faithful labor, doctrinal vigilance, and endurance can coexist with a fading love for God and for neighbors. That loss matters to Jesus more than programmatic success; without love, lampstands can be removed.

Two primary forces erode love: busyness and pain. Busyness crowds out first things; doing many good works can quietly displace the primary work of loving. Pain narrows the soul and produces a “what about me?” posture that steals kindness, hospitality, and the capacity to forgive. Both forces make care optional until someone repaints mission as merely functional rather than redemptive.

The remedy is clear and practical. First, repentance — a turning back toward God and a renewed view of others as God’s children — must precede renewed action. Metanoia requires a recalibration of affections and perspective: people are not enemies but image-bearers for whom Christ died. Second, love must be proven in deeds; revival without visible acts of care is incomplete. The congregation is urged to return to the works done at first, to treat schedule and giving with intentionality, and to prioritize relationships and planting rather than fleeting activity.

This vision is grounded in the cross: God demonstrated love by action, not merely words. The local body is invited to be known for costly, practical love — in worship, generosity toward a new building, investments in youth and community, and a sustained willingness to suffer for others. The closing invitation presses individuals to choose Christ anew, to repent, and to re-enter the life of a church that loves with both conviction and concrete service.

Key Takeaways

1. Worship is an act of surrender Jesus invites worshipers to lift “holy hands” as a tangible declaration that time, talent, and life belong to him. This posture reframes identity: worship marks a person as set apart and orients daily choices toward God. Practically, worship becomes a locus for resisting cultural narratives about worth and purpose. [17:17]
2. Love people through costly action Affection without behavior is insufficient; the gospel insists on love that is proven by deeds. The Ephesians were praised for doctrine and endurance yet rebuked for losing love — a reminder that theological fidelity must lead to tangible mercy. Loving others often requires inconvenience, expense, and vulnerability; those costs disclose true devotion. [51:27]
3. Busyness steals the church’s love Productivity can masquerade as faithfulness until schedules replace spiritual priorities. When calendars fill with good tasks, the capacity to notice and care for suffering neighbors atrophies. A disciplined re-budgeting of time restores room for mercy and presence. [54:03]
4. Repent and change how you see Return begins with metanoia — a deliberate change of mind about people and priorities. Seeing others as God’s children reshapes speech, policy, and prayer, making it possible to act lovingly even amid disagreement. Repentance reorients the heart toward both worship and faithful works. [67:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[17:17] - Holy Hands: Worship as Surrender
[35:03] - Mary Chose What Is Better
[37:50] - Building Pledge Invitation
[41:36] - Mission Youth: Food & Friends
[43:11] - A Church That Loves People (Title)
[50:03] - Revelation Context: Letters to Churches
[51:27] - Commendation and Complaint from Jesus
[54:03] - Busyness: Service vs. First Love
[63:13] - Pain’s Effect on Compassion
[67:58] - Repent, Change Mind, Return to Works
[82:45] - Invitation: Turning Toward Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

Revelation 2:1-7 (ESV)
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”

Observation questions

In Revelation 2:2-3, what specific things does Jesus praise the church in Ephesus for doing? What does he commend them for enduring?
Despite all their good works and doctrinal purity, what is the one complaint Jesus has against them? (v. 4)
Jesus gives the church three commands in verse 5. What are the three things he tells them to do to return to him?
The church was praised for its “hard work and your patient endurance.” [51:27] What is the danger of being known for these good things while at the same time losing your first love?

Interpretation questions

What does it mean for a church to “abandon the love you had at first”? [52:00] How is it possible for a church to be so busy with good works and so committed to right doctrine, yet still be guilty of this?
Two forces that erode our love are busyness and pain. Pain, in particular, can create a “what about me?” mentality. [01:05:42] How does an inward focus caused by our own suffering prevent us from loving others the way Jesus calls us to?
Jesus warns that He will “remove your lampstand from its place” if the church doesn’t repent. [53:03] What does the lampstand represent, and what does this serious warning tell us about what Jesus values most in His church?
The remedy Jesus gives is to repent and “do the works you did at first.” Why is action (“works”) presented as the necessary evidence of a changed heart (“repentance”)?

Application questions

Lifting our hands in worship is an outward sign of surrender, a way of saying, “God, my life is yours.” [17:56] Beyond a physical posture on Sunday, what does it look like for you to live with “holy hands” throughout the week? In what specific area of your life do you need to practice this kind of surrender?
Busyness can cause us to stop loving people well. One practical suggestion was to “treat your schedule like a budget.” [01:01:58] As you look at your calendar for the upcoming week, where have you scheduled the “first things” like your relationship with God, your family, and serving others? Is there anything you might be carrying that Jesus never asked you to?
Pain has a way of “narrowing the soul until a man can see nothing but himself.” [01:06:14] Is there a past or present pain that has created a “what about me?” attitude in your heart, making it difficult to love, serve, or forgive others? How can you begin to follow Jesus’ example of loving others even in the midst of your own pain?
Repentance begins with *metanoia*—changing your mind about people. [01:09:24] Is there a person or group of people you have started to see as an enemy, a burden, or a political opponent? How would intentionally viewing them as “God’s child” [01:11:55] change the way you think, speak, and pray about them this week?
Love is not just a feeling; it’s an action. We are called to show our love, not just talk about it. [01:14:42] What is one practical, costly action you can take this week to show love to someone in your family, your small group, or your community?
The church in Ephesus was thriving for years before their love began to fade. We are in a pivotal moment in our church’s history. [01:19:01] What can we do, as a small group, to protect our “first love” and ensure we remain a church that is known for loving God and loving people well for years to come?

Sermon Clips

Church, I wanna encourage you. You are completely right. I don't see it all, but Jesus does. See, I don't see it all, but Jesus sees. Jesus sees your commute. Jesus sees you waking up early to get your kids to school. Jesus sees you working overtime so that you can take your family on vacation. Jesus sees all of these things that you do. Can I encourage you? You have a God that sees you, but he does not just say, I see. He also says, I know. This no does not mean that I know and I am distant. It actually means I know fully that I am actively engaged in your busyness. I am actively engaged in your overwhelmingness. I am actively engaged in your to do list. Come on, are we thankful today that we have a God that sees and a God that knows? We can clap for that today if we're thankful. [00:58:28] (46 seconds) #GodSeesAndKnows

Because if you felt pain, then you would stop the behavior. But because you don't feel pain, you're continuing the behavior. And I would challenge you with this, what if the reason why what if you avoiding pain instead of addressing pain is causing you more harm than you realize? Because what you and I will do is we'll wear our emotional pain tolerance as a badge. That person hurt me and I didn't even feel it. Yeah. I broke up with that person. I didn't even feel it. That happened at work and I didn't even feel it. We'll wear it as a badge. I'm a superhero. I don't I don't even feel I had that loss. I don't even feel I'm right back at work. I'm ready. I'm ready. What if your pain is harming you, then you realize? Solomon even talks about this in Song of Solomon. He says, catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyard. Church, pain is one of those small foxes that steal from the vineyard. Because when you ignore it and it does not get addressed, what happens is as you go through pain and as you go through trauma and as you go through heartache, what happens is kindness begins to be stolen from you. Joy begins to be stolen from you. Hope for humanity and hope for your future begins to be stolen from you. And what happens? You begin to lose your care for people. [01:04:19] (72 seconds) #FaceYourPain

What's crazy about the church is that you and I will want people to change before we change their mind about them, before we change our mind about them. We want people to change. Well well, when they change how they act, then I'll love them again. When they change how they vote, then I'll love them again. When they when they don't post this for a little bit, then I'll then I'll love them again. No. No. No. Jesus says you gotta change your mind first, that if you are going to love people well, then you have to view people correctly. Because how I view you will determine how I will treat you. If I'll if I view you as less than, I will treat you as less than. [01:10:37] (32 seconds) #LoveByChangingMind

Go back to the works you did at first. Not go back to the emotion you felt. Not go back to the emotion that you had. No. No. No. Go back to the works that you did at first. So what works did the church of Ephesus do at first? This is the last thing, and then we're gonna close today. I wanna give you some church history. Is that okay? Is that okay? The church of Ephesus was started thirty years prior to this letter being written. It was started thirty years prior to his letter being written by a man named Paul. Paul, one of the most amazing leaders in the Bible in human history, started the church of Ephesus, and then Timothy eventually took it over. So Timothy takes it over, and then seven years later, Paul writes a letter, and in that letter is where we get the book of Ephesians. In the book of Ephesians, it has been seven to ten years when he writes this, and he says this in the book of Ephesians. And and what you have to know about this church is they're rich, they're wealthy, and what happens is they're thriving. And in Ephesians one fifteen, he says this, for this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people. That sounds like a completely different church. That sounds like a completely different church. He says, every time I hear about you, you they say, oh, they love God, and they love people. Oh, every time I hear about the church of Ephesus, you see how they love God, and they have faith, and they love people. And he goes on to say, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. [01:16:13] (86 seconds) #ReturnToFirstWorks

May Jesus look at us in any season, in any time in history, in any moment and say, no. No. No. Mission Church loves people well. Amen? Mission Church gives to people. Mission Church get is generous. Mission Church loves people, that broken people are still finding Jesus, that they didn't stop caring about the lost, that they didn't stop caring about the broken, that they didn't stop caring about the hurting. But in every season of Mission Church, they love God and they love people. And they don't just love people with their words. They don't just love people with their emotions, but they love people with their actions. [01:20:00] (34 seconds) #LoveWithActions

So I wrote down two really quick ways that you can practically attack busyness. Number one, write down what God has asked you to carry in this season. Write it down. Write down what God has asked you to carry in this season. I was sharing this with some of our students earlier this week. God will grace you for what he has asked you to carry. So if you are overwhelmed, you might be carrying things that Jesus never asked you to. [01:00:43] (21 seconds) #CarryWhatGodGaveYou

Don't just tell me you love me. Show me you love me. So my favorite ones, don't just tell me you love me. Show me you love me. Why? Because love is not shown through words. Love is shown through actions. [01:14:39] (15 seconds) #ShowLoveNotTell

What is he saying here? He's saying, if you don't love people, you can't be my church. You wanna know what's interesting about this? Out of the all seven letters, there's seven letters. I promise we're almost done. There's seven letters. Out of all seven letters, this is the one church that is told that if you do not respond, I will remove your lampstand. The one church showing me that the highest priority of the church is that we love God and we love people. [01:20:56] (28 seconds) #LoveIsChurchPriority

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A Church That Loves People | Pastor Joe Little | 01.25.26

Devotional

Day 1: Lifting Holy Hands as an Act of Total Surrender

Day 2: Choosing the Best Thing Over the Good Things

Day 3: Guarding Your Heart Against the Distraction of Busyness

Day 4: Refusing to Let Pain Narrow Your Soul

Day 5: Demonstrating Love Through Our Actions Not Just Words

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

A Church That Loves People | Pastor Joe Little | 01.25.26

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