Compelled by Christ's Love to Share the Gospel
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound call to "go in love" as part of our mission to expand God's kingdom. Our mission at Victory Fellowship is to "grow in love and go in love," and this morning, we delved into the third "E" of our mission: expanding God's kingdom. This involves reaching out to those who do not yet know Christ, driven by the love that Christ has shown us. We examined 2 Corinthians 5:14, which speaks of Christ's love compelling us to action. This love is not merely our love for Christ but the overwhelming love that Christ has demonstrated through His sacrificial death on the cross. This love should move us to share the good news with others.
We discussed how living for ourselves is a form of bondage, as it leads us to constantly chase after things that cannot satisfy us apart from Christ. Christ's death frees us from this bondage, offering forgiveness and liberation. This freedom is available to all, but it must be received through faith. Just as a free sandwich must be claimed, the love and freedom Christ offers must be accepted. We are called to share this message with others, not out of obligation, but because Christ's love compels us.
We acknowledged that sharing our faith can be challenging, often hindered by our own fears and insecurities. However, we are reminded that we are no longer living for ourselves but for Christ, who cares deeply for the lost. Our mission is to proclaim Christ in all we do and say, expanding His kingdom by loving the lost. This is not just a weekly recitation but a way of life that reflects the freedom and love we have received through Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Christ's Love Compels Us: The love that Christ has shown us through His sacrificial death compels us to action. It is not our love for Christ that drives us, but His overwhelming love for us that should move us to share the good news with others. [17:35]
2. Freedom from Self-Bondage: Living for ourselves is a form of bondage, as it leads us to chase after unattainable satisfaction apart from Christ. Christ's death frees us from this bondage, offering forgiveness and liberation. [23:52]
3. The Gift of Salvation Must Be Claimed: Just as a free sandwich must be claimed, the love and freedom Christ offers must be accepted through faith. It is available to all, but not everyone knows it, which is why we must share this message. [25:37]
4. Overcoming Fear in Sharing Faith: Sharing our faith can be challenging due to our own fears and insecurities. However, we are reminded that we are no longer living for ourselves but for Christ, who cares deeply for the lost. [27:03]
5. Living for Christ, Not Ourselves: Our mission is to proclaim Christ in all we do and say, expanding His kingdom by loving the lost. This is not just a weekly recitation but a way of life that reflects the freedom and love we have received through Christ. [29:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:25] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
- [17:35] - Christ's Love Compels Us
- [19:12] - Personal Story: Compelled by Love
- [23:52] - Freedom from Self-Bondage
- [25:37] - The Gift of Salvation Must Be Claimed
- [27:03] - Overcoming Fear in Sharing Faith
- [29:10] - Living for Christ, Not Ourselves
- [30:26] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Brunch
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Corinthians 5:14 say about what compels us to action? How is this different from being motivated by our own love? [17:35]
2. According to the sermon, what is the bondage that living for ourselves creates, and how does Christ's death free us from it? [23:52]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of claiming the gift of salvation with the analogy of a free sandwich? [25:37]
4. What are some reasons mentioned in the sermon that make sharing our faith challenging? [27:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the love of Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:14, differ from human love, and why is it significant for believers? [17:35]
2. In what ways does living for oneself create a form of bondage, and how does Christ's death offer liberation from this? [23:52]
3. Why is it important to actively claim the gift of salvation, and how does this relate to the analogy of the free sandwich? [25:37]
4. How can believers overcome the fears and insecurities that hinder them from sharing their faith, according to the sermon? [27:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt compelled by Christ's love to take action. How did it influence your decision, and what was the outcome? [17:35]
2. Identify an area in your life where you might be living for yourself rather than for Christ. What steps can you take to shift your focus? [23:52]
3. Have you ever hesitated to share your faith because of fear or insecurity? What practical steps can you take to overcome these barriers? [27:03]
4. Think of someone in your life who may not know about the love and freedom Christ offers. How can you share this message with them this week? [25:37]
5. How can you incorporate the mission of "expanding God's kingdom by loving the lost" into your daily routine? What specific actions can you take? [29:10]
6. Consider the analogy of the free sandwich. How can you ensure that you are actively claiming and living out the freedom and love Christ offers? [25:37]
7. What is one practical way you can remind yourself daily that you are living for Christ and not for yourself? [29:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ's Love as a Catalyst for Action
The love of Christ is not passive; it is a dynamic force that compels us to act. This love, demonstrated through His sacrificial death, is the driving force behind our mission to share the good news with others. It is not our love for Christ that initiates this action, but His overwhelming love for us. This love should move us beyond our comfort zones, urging us to reach out to those who have not yet experienced the transformative power of His grace. As we reflect on 2 Corinthians 5:14, we are reminded that Christ's love is the catalyst that propels us into a life of service and evangelism. [17:35]
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died." (2 Corinthians 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the love of Christ through your actions today? How can you intentionally reach out to them this week?
Day 2: Liberation from Self-Centered Living
Living for oneself is a form of bondage that leads to a never-ending pursuit of satisfaction apart from Christ. This self-centered existence is a trap that keeps us from experiencing true freedom. However, Christ's death on the cross offers us liberation from this bondage, providing forgiveness and a new way of living. This freedom is not just a concept but a reality that we can live out daily. By embracing this freedom, we are empowered to live for Christ and not for ourselves, finding true fulfillment in serving Him and others. [23:52]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways are you still living for yourself? How can you begin to embrace the freedom Christ offers and serve others in love?
Day 3: The Necessity of Accepting Salvation
The gift of salvation is freely offered to all, but like any gift, it must be claimed. Just as a free sandwich must be accepted to be enjoyed, the love and freedom Christ offers must be received through faith. This gift is available to everyone, yet not everyone is aware of it. Therefore, it is our responsibility to share this message with others, ensuring that they know about the incredible gift that is available to them. By doing so, we participate in expanding God's kingdom and bringing others into the fold of His love. [25:37]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Have you fully accepted the gift of salvation in your life? How can you share this gift with someone who may not know about it yet?
Day 4: Conquering Fear in Evangelism
Sharing our faith can be daunting, often hindered by our own fears and insecurities. However, we are reminded that we are no longer living for ourselves but for Christ, who has a deep concern for the lost. This shift in perspective helps us overcome our fears, as we realize that our mission is not about us but about expanding God's kingdom. By focusing on Christ's love for the lost, we can find the courage to share our faith, trusting that He will guide us and give us the words to speak. [27:03]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: What fears hold you back from sharing your faith? How can you rely on God's power and love to overcome these fears?
Day 5: Living a Christ-Centered Life
Our mission is to proclaim Christ in all we do and say, expanding His kingdom by loving the lost. This is not just a weekly recitation but a way of life that reflects the freedom and love we have received through Christ. By living for Christ and not for ourselves, we become ambassadors of His love, demonstrating His grace and mercy to those around us. This lifestyle is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, inviting others to experience the same freedom and love that we have found in Christ. [29:10]
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make living for Christ a daily practice? What specific actions can you take to ensure that your life reflects His love and freedom?
Quotes
"Paul is saying that the love that Christ has shown him compels him to action right so my love for chick-fil-a compelled me to pull in even though I wasn't even hungry Paul is saying it's not our love for God that compels him it's Christ's love for Paul that compels him that draws that drives him that moves him to action right" [00:19:12] (18 seconds)
"Freedom is found when we give our lives to Christ and allow him to be the source of everything. Now, it might sound like this is forced dedication to Christ. I'm no longer living for myself. I'm living for him. It might sound like it's forced kind of dedication to him, but really it's liberation by Christ, right?" [00:24:32] (19 seconds)
"But I think a lot of the times the reasons that we give, the reasons that we come up with for not sharing our faith, for not talking about Jesus to our family members, to our friends, the reasons that we give are usually focused on ourselves, right? I don't know what to say." [00:29:32] (15 seconds)
"Christ's love, has freed us from that, right? We are no longer living for ourselves. We are now living for Christ, and Christ cares about the lost, right? Christ loves our family members who don't know him. Christ loves our co-workers, our friends, our classmates, our teammates who don't know him." [00:30:26] (19 seconds)
"Grow in love and go in love, expanding God's kingdom by loving the lost and proclaiming Christ in all I do and say. These are not just words that we recite every week at the end of service, right? This is the way that we live our life because Christ has called us, has set us free." [00:31:10] (18 seconds)
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