Displaying God's Love: A Call to Authentic Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Live in Righteousness

Living in righteousness means allowing God’s Spirit to transform us from the inside out, putting off old patterns of sin and brokenness, and embracing the new life and right relationship that Jesus offers. This is not about perfection, but about a continual process of owning up to our failures, seeking God’s grace, and letting His holiness shape both our personal lives and our community. As we live in righteousness, we give authentic witness to the world that God’s love is not exclusive, but available to all, and we invite others to experience the same transforming grace that has changed us. [20:22]

1 John 3:1-10 (ESV)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to own up to a pattern or behavior that is not aligned with God’s righteousness, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you take a step toward transformation today?

Day 2: Live in Love

To live in love is to receive the extravagant, sacrificial love of God through Jesus and then extend that same love to others through our actions, not just our words. This love is not defined by fleeting emotions or self-interest, but by the example of Christ who laid down His life for us, calling us to serve, give, and care for others—especially those in need. When we love in this way, we break down barriers, build up others, and reveal to the world the true nature of God’s heart. [31:18]

1 John 3:11-18 (ESV)
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can serve or give to today in a tangible way, demonstrating the sacrificial love of Jesus beyond just words?

Day 3: Live in Christ

Living in Christ means anchoring your identity, confidence, and rest in Jesus as the true Messiah and Savior, rather than in the shifting promises of the world or false saviors. When you believe in Christ and abide in Him, His Spirit empowers you to love others, to act with compassion and humility, and to offer what you have received—grace, forgiveness, and hope—to those around you. This is not about legalism or condemnation, but about letting the life of Christ flow through you as a witness to a world searching for real love and a true Savior. [41:09]

1 John 3:19-24 (ESV)
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to look for confidence or identity outside of Christ, and how can you intentionally choose to abide in Him today?

Day 4: Give What You Have Received

We are called to give to others what Christ has given to us—whether that is forgiveness, compassion, service, or generosity—meeting people where they are with the same love and humility that Jesus showed. This means offering grace instead of condemnation, curiosity instead of judgment, and practical help instead of indifference, trusting that the Spirit empowers us to do what may seem impossible on our own. As we take small steps of obedience, we become living invitations for others to experience the love and freedom found in Jesus. [46:05]

Matthew 10:8 (ESV)
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Reflection: Who is someone you can intentionally bless today—through forgiveness, a listening ear, or a simple act of kindness—out of the abundance of what Christ has given you?

Day 5: Display God’s Love to the World

Displaying God’s love to the world is not just about receiving His love for ourselves, but about letting it overflow into every area of our lives—our words, our actions, our relationships, and our communities. This is a call to holistic discipleship: to discover God’s love daily, deepen it in relationship with others, and display it through acts of justice, mercy, and generosity. As we walk this pathway, we become part of God’s mission to invite all people into His family, showing that His love is powerful enough to break down every barrier and bring true life. [49:05]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally let God’s love shine through you in your workplace, neighborhood, or community this week, so that others may see and be drawn to Him?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the calling to display God’s love to the world, not just as a private experience but as a public, transformative witness. Every follower of Jesus is invited into a pathway of discipleship: to discover God’s love, deepen that love in relationship with others, and then display it to the world. In a culture where many voices compete for our allegiance and where the church is often misunderstood or even distrusted, the need for authentic, sacrificial, and visible love is more urgent than ever.

The foundation for this calling is found in 1 John 3, where we are reminded that God has lavished His love on us, making us His children. This love is not meant to be hoarded or kept private; it is meant to be lived out in righteousness, in love, and in Christ. Living in righteousness means allowing God’s Spirit to transform us, not just in our personal lives but also in our social and communal relationships. It’s about owning up to our failures, seeking forgiveness, and being real about our ongoing need for grace. This authenticity is a powerful witness to a world that is tired of hypocrisy and hungry for something real.

Living in love is more than sentiment or words; it is defined by the sacrificial example of Jesus, who laid down His life for us. This love is active, generous, and practical. It means giving of ourselves—our time, resources, and presence—to meet the needs of others, especially those who are marginalized or overlooked. Generosity breaks down barriers and speaks a better word than judgment or exclusion ever could.

Finally, living in Christ is about rooting our identity and actions in the person and work of Jesus, not in cultural saviors or passing trends. It is Christ’s love, humility, and truth that empower us to love others well. We are called to give what we have received: forgiveness, grace, and hope. This is not a one-time act but a daily journey, empowered by the Spirit, to become more like Jesus and to invite others into the same transforming love.

Key Takeaways

1. Authentic discipleship is a holistic journey that moves from receiving God’s love to actively displaying it in the world. It is not enough to privately enjoy God’s grace; we are called to let that grace overflow into every relationship and context, making the invisible love of God visible through our lives. [05:14]
2. Living in righteousness is not about perfection but about ongoing transformation. It means allowing the Spirit to expose and heal our brokenness, owning our failures, and seeking both personal and social holiness. This honest witness—admitting where we fall short and where God is at work—creates space for others to encounter grace. [20:22]
3. The love God calls us to display is defined by Jesus’ sacrificial giving, not by cultural definitions of love. True love is generous, practical, and seeks the good of others, even at personal cost. Generosity—of time, resources, and presence—breaks down walls and reveals the heart of God to a skeptical world. [35:34]
4. Our confidence and rest come from living in Christ alone, not from external achievements or the approval of others. When our identity is rooted in Jesus as Messiah, we are empowered to love without fear, to forgive freely, and to serve humbly, knowing that the same Spirit who raised Christ dwells in us. [41:09]
5. Displaying God’s love is a daily, Spirit-empowered practice of giving what we have received. Whether it’s forgiveness, hospitality, or simple acts of kindness, each step of obedience is a participation in God’s mission to reconcile and renew the world. The pathway of discipleship is not easy, but it is the way to true life and lasting impact. [47:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Honoring Veterans and Memorial Day
[02:30] - Introduction to the Pathway Series
[04:30] - The Call to Discipleship
[05:14] - Why Displaying God’s Love Matters
[06:32] - The Church’s Reputation and the Need for Authentic Love
[10:22] - Reading 1 John 3:1-10
[12:23] - Actions Speak Louder Than Words
[16:21] - Children of God vs. Children of the Devil
[19:12] - Living in Righteousness
[23:00] - Social Holiness and Community Witness
[27:35] - Authenticity and Repentance in Witness
[29:55] - Living in Love: The Example of Jesus
[35:34] - Generosity as a Mark of Love
[39:18] - Living in Christ: Confidence and Rest
[43:55] - The World’s Search for a Savior
[45:17] - The Model of Jesus: Curiosity, Not Condemnation
[47:19] - Giving What We’ve Received
[49:05] - The True Invitation of the Gospel
[51:38] - Responding to God’s Love and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 John 3:1-24 — (This was the main text for the sermon. Read the whole chapter together, or focus on verses 1-10, 11-18, and 19-24 as highlighted in the sermon.)

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 3, what does it mean to be called “children of God”? What is the reason the world does not recognize us as God’s children?
In verses 11-18, what is the difference between the way Cain treated his brother and the way we are called to treat others?
What does John say is the evidence that someone has “passed from death to life”?
The sermon mentioned that the church is often seen as judgmental or exclusionary by non-Christians. What statistics or examples did the pastor share to illustrate this? [[06:32]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said that living in righteousness is not about perfection, but about ongoing transformation and owning up to our failures. Why is this kind of authenticity important for our witness to the world? [[20:22]]
John says, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” How does this challenge the way we usually think about love? What does it look like to love “in truth”? [[29:55]]
The pastor described “living in Christ” as rooting our identity and actions in Jesus, not in cultural saviors or trends. Why is this distinction important, especially in today’s world? [[41:09]]
The sermon talked about generosity as a mark of love. How does generosity break down barriers and reveal God’s heart to others? [[35:34]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to let God’s love overflow into every relationship and context, not just keep it private. Is there a relationship or situation in your life where you tend to keep your faith or love for God hidden? What would it look like to make God’s love visible there this week? [[05:14]]
The pastor shared about owning up to failures and even apologizing for the church’s past mistakes. Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from, or a situation where you need to admit where you’ve fallen short? What’s holding you back? [[24:43]]
Generosity was described as giving of our time, resources, and presence, especially to those who are marginalized or overlooked. Who in your life could use a practical act of love or generosity this week? What specific step can you take? [[35:34]]
The sermon said that living in Christ gives us confidence and rest, freeing us from needing approval from others. Are there areas where you are seeking approval or identity outside of Christ? How can you root your confidence more deeply in Jesus? [[41:09]]
The pastor encouraged us to “give what we have received”—forgiveness, hospitality, kindness. Which of these is hardest for you to give away? Why do you think that is? [[47:19]]
The sermon mentioned that the pathway of discipleship is not easy, but it leads to true life and lasting impact. What is one “next step” in your journey of following Jesus that feels challenging right now? How can the group support you in taking that step? [[49:05]]
The pastor talked about the world being hungry for something real, not hypocrisy. What is one way you can be more authentic about your faith—both your struggles and your hope—this week? [[26:11]]

Sermon Clips

We do not believe that Christ followers are simply called to receive God's love and receive Jesus' saving offer and then never extend it to other people. In fact, as we've been talking in this series, we have stated that it is anti -Christ to believe that we're called simply just to receive God's love and then not extend it to other people. That's not the gospel. That's not the message of Jesus at all. [00:05:19] (23 seconds)

``Jesus never told his disciples to simply receive the saving work of his death and resurrection and then retreat from the world and society. Instead, he told them, go and preach the good news to every nation. Go out to those who are friends and enemies alike and love them and invite them to join in the family of God. [00:05:51] (19 seconds)

To live in love is what it means to be a Christian, amen? And not a love defined by the world, but a love that is given and revealed and defined by the sacrifice of Jesus and the sacrifice that we are called to give of ourselves for the betterment of others. [00:34:12] (16 seconds)

There's been long too, well too long in the church where people have heard a message that the call to follow Jesus is one Sunday, raising your hand saying, I give my life to Jesus and then waiting until you die to go to heaven. That is not the good news. The invitation through the gospel of Jesus that he gives to every person is freedom from our sins so that we can live in full, abundant, eternal life with him right now and forevermore. [00:49:06] (27 seconds)

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