Deepening Our Relationship: Staying in Love with God
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of "Staying in Love with God," the third general rule of John Wesley. This concept is not about fulfilling our desires but about nurturing a deep, enduring relationship with God. Relationships, whether with God or others, require active participation and commitment from both sides. Reflecting on personal experiences, I shared how friendships can fade when effort is one-sided, drawing a parallel to our relationship with God. If God ceased to initiate contact with us, where would we be? This underscores the importance of engaging in practices that maintain our connection with the divine.
We delved into the practices that help us stay in love with God, such as prayer, worship, and participating in the sacraments. These are not mere rituals but means of grace that ground us in faith and help us endure life's challenges. Our faith is not about getting what we want but about aligning with God's will, as exemplified by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Even when our prayers aren't answered as we wish, we find peace in knowing that God is with us.
Today's scripture also highlights the communal aspect of faith. The church is not just a place for personal spirituality but a community where we care for one another and grow together in faith. Wesley emphasized that there is no holiness without social holiness, meaning our faith is lived out in community and service to others.
On this World Communion Sunday, we are reminded of the global body of Christ. Christians worldwide, despite cultural differences, come together to celebrate the Eucharist, symbolizing our unity in Christ. This unity transcends the elements used in communion, focusing instead on the relationship and grace experienced through the sacrament.
As we conclude this series on living faith, I encourage you to reflect on how you will stay in love with God. What practices will you engage in to cultivate a vibrant, living faith that is a testament to your relationship with our Savior?
Key Takeaways:
1. Active Participation in Relationships: Just as friendships require effort from both parties, our relationship with God demands active participation. If God stopped reaching out to us, our spiritual lives would suffer. We must engage in practices that nurture our connection with God, ensuring it remains vibrant and life-giving. [13:38]
2. Faith Beyond Personal Desires: Our faith journey is not about getting what we want but aligning with God's will. Even Jesus, in his moment of struggle, submitted to God's plan. This teaches us that true faith finds peace in God's presence, regardless of how our prayers are answered. [15:19]
3. Communal Faith and Social Holiness: Wesley emphasized that faith is not just personal but communal. The church is a place where we support each other and grow together in faith. Our spiritual growth is intertwined with our community, equipping us for service and mission in the world. [20:05]
4. Unity in Diversity on World Communion Sunday: The global celebration of the Eucharist reminds us of our unity in Christ, transcending cultural and material differences. The focus is on the relationship and grace experienced through the sacrament, not the specific elements used. [24:17]
5. Living Faith Through Practices: Engaging in practices like prayer, worship, and sacraments helps us stay in love with God. These are not checklists but means of grace that shape our lives and strengthen our faith, enabling us to endure life's challenges with God's presence. [18:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:01] - Announcements and Events
[04:09] - Opening Prayer
[09:23] - Living Faith Series Recap
[10:33] - Staying in Love with God
[11:40] - Importance of Relationships
[13:38] - Active Participation in Faith
[15:19] - Faith Beyond Personal Desires
[17:03] - Obedience and Faith
[18:10] - Practices to Stay in Love with God
[20:05] - Communal Faith and Social Holiness
[21:48] - Music and Worship
[22:53] - World Communion Sunday
[24:17] - Unity in Diversity
[27:18] - Closing Reflections and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Staying in Love with God
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 26:39 - "And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.'"
2. James 5:13-20 - This passage discusses prayer, healing, and the communal aspects of faith.
Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the practices mentioned in the sermon that help us stay in love with God? [18:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between personal faith and communal faith? [20:05]
3. What example from Jesus' life was used to illustrate aligning with God's will rather than personal desires? [15:19]
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of World Communion Sunday? [24:17]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane illustrate the concept of aligning our will with God's will? [15:19]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that communal faith contributes to personal spiritual growth? [20:05]
3. How does the sermon challenge the idea that faith is about getting what we want from God? [17:03]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of active participation in our relationship with God? [13:38]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any new practices you feel called to incorporate to deepen your relationship with God? [18:10]
2. Think about a time when your prayers were not answered as you wished. How did you find peace in God's presence during that time? [15:19]
3. How can you actively participate in your church community to support both your faith and the faith of others? [20:05]
4. Consider the diversity of the global Christian community. How can you celebrate and embrace this diversity in your own faith journey? [24:17]
5. Identify a relationship in your life that may need more effort from your side. What steps can you take to nurture it, similar to how we nurture our relationship with God? [13:38]
6. How can you align your personal desires with God's will in your daily life, especially in challenging situations? [17:03]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to stay in love with God, as encouraged by the sermon? [27:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Engagement in Divine Relationship
In our spiritual journey, maintaining a vibrant relationship with God requires active engagement and commitment. Just as human relationships can falter when one party stops putting in effort, our connection with God can weaken if we become passive. God continually reaches out to us, and it is crucial that we respond by engaging in practices that nurture this divine relationship. These practices, such as prayer, worship, and reflection, are not mere obligations but opportunities to deepen our love for God and ensure our spiritual lives remain vibrant and life-giving. [13:38]
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: What specific practice can you incorporate into your daily routine this week to actively engage in your relationship with God?
Day 2: Aligning Desires with Divine Will
True faith is not about fulfilling our personal desires but aligning ourselves with God's will. This alignment often requires surrendering our own plans and trusting in God's greater purpose, even when it contradicts our immediate wants. Jesus exemplified this in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he submitted to God's plan despite his personal struggle. By finding peace in God's presence, we learn to trust that His plans are for our ultimate good, even when our prayers are not answered as we wish. [15:19]
"And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'" (Mark 14:36, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where your desires conflict with God's will. How can you begin to align your heart with His purpose today?
Day 3: The Communal Nature of Faith
Faith is not solely a personal journey but a communal experience that thrives in the context of community. John Wesley emphasized that there is no holiness without social holiness, meaning our spiritual growth is intertwined with our relationships with others. The church serves as a community where believers support one another, grow together, and engage in service and mission. This communal aspect of faith equips us to live out our beliefs in tangible ways, fostering a deeper connection with God and each other. [20:05]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth of your church community this week?
Day 4: Unity in Diversity through the Eucharist
World Communion Sunday reminds us of the unity we share as the global body of Christ, transcending cultural and material differences. The celebration of the Eucharist symbolizes this unity, focusing on the relationship and grace experienced through the sacrament rather than the specific elements used. This unity in diversity is a powerful testament to the universal nature of Christ's love and the shared faith that binds Christians worldwide. [24:17]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a cultural or denominational difference you have encountered in the body of Christ. How can you embrace this diversity as a strength in your faith journey?
Day 5: Cultivating a Living Faith through Spiritual Practices
Engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer, worship, and the sacraments is essential for cultivating a living faith. These practices are not mere checklists but means of grace that shape our lives and strengthen our connection with God. By consistently participating in these practices, we equip ourselves to endure life's challenges with the assurance of God's presence and guidance. A vibrant faith is a testament to our relationship with our Savior, reflecting His love and grace in our daily lives. [18:10]
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
Reflection: What spiritual practice can you commit to deepening this week to strengthen your faith and relationship with God?
Quotes
1) "When we live a life of genuine faith, rooted in grace and shaped by Wesley's general rules, we can begin to see and understand that even when things don't happen the way we want them to, God is with us. Our prayers are that thy will be done, not my will be done. Even Jesus struggled with this we see in Matthew 26, verse 39. And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, my father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want. Doesn't sound like Jesus was real happy about obeying at that point, does it? But he ultimately bowed to God's will. Our faith is not contingent on Goddesse answering our prayers the way we want God to." [16:32] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Staying in love with God or keeping the ordinances of God is not something we do with the goal of getting what we want, but rather grounds us in a faith relationship with God that can help us endure whatever life brings. This passage lists several solid practices that the church at the time was doing in the first century. They were praying, anointing with oil, confessing sins, and forgiving, singing praises. These types of actions are all real ways that they and we can stay in love with God. There are other others that Wesley discusses, receiving the Lord's supper, attending church. You all are participating in that relationship just by being here today." [18:10] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Today's passage suggests that no matter what our circumstances, we can bring them to God in both worship and prayer. This is not just abstract, but made concrete in the life of the church. The church does not exist only for our own personal or individual religion, but as a place to care for one another with the love of God and accompany one another in christian faith. This is a key aspect of wesleyan faith. If you look at our book of discipline, paragraph 102 says this. Finally, we emphasize the nurturing and serving function of christian fellowship in the church. The personal experience of faith is nourished by the worshiping community. For Wesley, there is no religion but social religion, no holiness but social holiness." [19:24] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Another aspect of this scripture today is in verses 19 and 20. It talks about those who have strayed from the faith and are brought back. It illuminates the concern of the early church to care for one another's souls, encourage one another, and be the grace of God to others. Perhaps I need to reach out once again to those friends. Perhaps I need to find ways to rekindle and cultivate the relationship rather than leaving them to just be memories. Given that the whole letter ends on this note, it shows the importance of God's love always extending to each and every one of us, no matter where we've been or what we've done." [20:05] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "I got to ask, what are you going to do to stay in love with God this week? What will you take from this series to cultivate a living faith that is a relationship with our savior." [27:18] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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