Embodying Christ-like Love: Lessons from Ancient Spiritualities
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored two spiritual traditions that have deeply influenced my walk with Jesus: Celtic Christianity and the spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. These traditions, though ancient, offer timeless lessons for our modern faith journey. We began by examining a folding ruler as a metaphor for history, illustrating how Christianity has evolved over 2,000 years. This visual tool helped us understand that our current practices are just a small part of a much larger historical tapestry.
We then delved into the core question: What is the church truly about? Is it about power and control, or is it about Christ-like love? The answer, of course, is love. However, history shows that when the church aligns with worldly power, it often corrupts. Conversely, when marginalized and struggling, the church tends to embody Christ-like virtues more authentically. This led us to the Desert Fathers and Mothers, who sought holiness through radical austerity, self-denial, and solitude. Despite their extreme practices, they were known for their gentleness, humility, and hospitality.
Next, we explored Celtic Christianity, which emerged on the fringes of the Roman Empire. Unlike the Desert Fathers, the Celts saw all of life as sacred and sought to engage with the world rather than withdraw from it. They believed in the interconnectedness of all creation and practiced radical hospitality. Their spirituality was less about formal structures and more about living in harmony with nature and community.
Both traditions offer valuable lessons. The Desert Fathers teach us the importance of inner perfection and self-denial, while the Celts remind us of the sacredness of all life and the importance of community and engagement. These spiritualities, though different, both strive to embody the love and teachings of Jesus in profound ways.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Corruption of Power: When the church aligns with worldly power, it often loses its way. History shows that the church is at its best when it is marginalized and struggling, embodying Christ-like virtues such as humility, gentleness, and hospitality. This is a sobering reminder that true spiritual power comes from love, not control. [06:42]
2. Radical Austerity and Hospitality: The Desert Fathers and Mothers practiced extreme self-denial and solitude to seek inner perfection. Despite their harsh lifestyles, they were known for their incredible gentleness and hospitality. This paradox teaches us that true holiness involves both self-discipline and a welcoming spirit. [23:58]
3. Sacredness of All Life: Celtic Christianity teaches that all of life is sacred and interconnected. This spirituality encourages us to engage with the world, seeing God's presence in all creation. It challenges us to break down the barriers between the sacred and the secular, recognizing that God is present in every aspect of life. [30:27]
4. Inclusion and Relationships: The Celts practiced radical hospitality and saw every person as sacred. This inclusive approach contrasts sharply with institutional religion, which often focuses on power and control. The Celts remind us that true spirituality is about building relationships and seeing the divine in everyone. [47:53]
5. Walls vs. Wells: Institutional religion often builds walls to separate and control, while Celtic spirituality digs wells to nourish and sustain. This metaphor challenges us to focus less on boundaries and more on providing life-giving resources that draw people to Jesus. It’s a call to create communities centered around the well of Christ’s love. [52:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:46] - The Folding Ruler: A Metaphor for History
[03:30] - The Evolution of Christianity
[05:05] - Power vs. Christ-like Love
[06:42] - The Corruption of Power
[08:22] - Introduction to Desert Fathers and Mothers
[09:54] - Geographical Marginality
[11:34] - Financial and Political Marginality
[13:09] - The Essence of Love
[14:52] - The Spirit Within Us
[16:23] - The Unstoppable Kingdom
[17:51] - Desert Spirituality: Radical Austerity
[19:35] - The Desire for Holiness
[21:00] - Early Desert Fathers
[22:26] - Martyrdom and Self-Denial
[23:58] - Gentleness and Hospitality
[25:23] - Overcoming Negative Feelings
[26:54] - Simon Stylides: Extreme Asceticism
[28:27] - Key Lessons from Desert Spirituality
[30:27] - Celtic Spirituality: Sacredness of All Life
[32:15] - Worship and Nature
[33:48] - The Celts and Their Culture
[35:10] - The Influence of Irenaeus
[36:37] - Original Goodness
[38:22] - Re-speaking Sacred Goodness
[39:56] - Union and Interconnection
[41:35] - Institutional Religion vs. Celtic Spirituality
[43:04] - Cathedrals of Stone vs. Cathedrals of Nature
[44:46] - Wandering Teachers and Healers
[46:10] - Abundant Life in Being Like Jesus
[47:53] - Male and Female Sacredness
[49:22] - Vulnerable People and Creation
[50:47] - Embracing Change
[52:24] - Walls vs. Wells
[54:13] - Strengths and Pitfalls of Celtic Spirituality
[55:48] - Seven Possible Calls for Today
[57:53] - Radical Grace and Humility
[59:34] - Radical Openness
[01:00:10] - Radical Connection to God
[01:00:42] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 4:10-12 (NIV): "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
2. Romans 12:17-21 (NIV): "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 John 4:10-12 say about the nature of God's love and how it should influence our relationships with others?
2. According to Romans 12:17-21, how should Christians respond to evil and conflict?
3. In the sermon, what were the two spiritual traditions discussed, and what are their main characteristics? [08:22]
4. How did the Desert Fathers and Mothers practice radical austerity and hospitality? [23:58]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of love in 1 John 4:10-12 challenge the way we typically think about religious practices and community life?
2. What are the practical implications of Romans 12:17-21 for a Christian living in a society that often values power and control?
3. The sermon mentioned that the church is at its best when marginalized and struggling. How does this align with the teachings of Jesus and the early church? [06:42]
4. How do the practices of the Desert Fathers and Mothers and Celtic Christians reflect their understanding of what it means to follow Jesus? [08:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on 1 John 4:10-12, how can you show Christ-like love in your daily interactions, especially with those who are difficult to love?
2. Romans 12:17-21 encourages us to overcome evil with good. Can you think of a recent situation where you had to choose between retaliation and showing kindness? How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time?
3. The sermon highlighted the dangers of the church aligning with worldly power. In what ways might our church be tempted to seek power and control, and how can we resist this temptation? [06:42]
4. The Desert Fathers and Mothers practiced radical self-denial and hospitality. Is there an area in your life where you feel called to practice more self-discipline or hospitality? [23:58]
5. Celtic Christianity emphasizes the sacredness of all life and radical hospitality. How can you incorporate these values into your community and daily life? [30:27]
6. The metaphor of "walls vs. wells" was used to describe different approaches to spirituality. How can our church focus more on being a "well" that nourishes and sustains rather than building "walls" that separate? [52:24]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of seeing the divine in everyone. Think of someone you struggle to see as sacred. How can you change your perspective and actions towards this person? [47:53]
Devotional
Day 1: The Corruption of Power
When the church aligns with worldly power, it often loses its way. History shows that the church is at its best when it is marginalized and struggling, embodying Christ-like virtues such as humility, gentleness, and hospitality. This is a sobering reminder that true spiritual power comes from love, not control. The church's alignment with power can lead to corruption, but when it is marginalized, it tends to reflect the virtues of Christ more authentically. This paradox challenges us to seek spiritual power through love and humility rather than control and dominance. [06:42]
Jeremiah 22:3 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place."
Reflection: Think of a time when you or your community sought power or control. How can you shift your focus to embodying Christ-like love and humility instead?
Day 2: Radical Austerity and Hospitality
The Desert Fathers and Mothers practiced extreme self-denial and solitude to seek inner perfection. Despite their harsh lifestyles, they were known for their incredible gentleness and hospitality. This paradox teaches us that true holiness involves both self-discipline and a welcoming spirit. Their lives were marked by radical austerity, yet they were gentle and hospitable, showing that true spiritual growth involves both self-discipline and a heart open to others. This balance is essential for a holistic spiritual life. [23:58]
Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"
Reflection: In what ways can you practice self-discipline while also being open and hospitable to others in your daily life?
Day 3: Sacredness of All Life
Celtic Christianity teaches that all of life is sacred and interconnected. This spirituality encourages us to engage with the world, seeing God's presence in all creation. It challenges us to break down the barriers between the sacred and the secular, recognizing that God is present in every aspect of life. The Celts saw the divine in all of creation and lived in harmony with nature and community, reminding us to see the sacred in the everyday and to engage with the world around us. [30:27]
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: How can you recognize and honor the sacredness of all life in your daily interactions and surroundings today?
Day 4: Inclusion and Relationships
The Celts practiced radical hospitality and saw every person as sacred. This inclusive approach contrasts sharply with institutional religion, which often focuses on power and control. The Celts remind us that true spirituality is about building relationships and seeing the divine in everyone. Their inclusive nature challenges us to see the sacred in every person and to build genuine relationships rather than focusing on institutional power. [47:53]
Romans 12:10-13 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Reflection: Who in your life do you need to see as sacred and worthy of radical hospitality? How can you build a genuine relationship with them today?
Day 5: Walls vs. Wells
Institutional religion often builds walls to separate and control, while Celtic spirituality digs wells to nourish and sustain. This metaphor challenges us to focus less on boundaries and more on providing life-giving resources that draw people to Jesus. It’s a call to create communities centered around the well of Christ’s love. Instead of building walls that divide, we are called to dig wells that provide spiritual nourishment and draw people closer to Jesus. [52:24]
John 4:13-14 (ESV): "Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"
Reflection: What are some "walls" in your life or community that need to be broken down? How can you start digging "wells" that provide spiritual nourishment and draw others to Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What is love? God loves me. I want you to know that he loves you too. No one's ever seen God. God is other. God is infinite. God is invisible. God, shoot, God is everywhere, but you can't see him. But when his love fills us, when I live in this knowledge that I am loved, and I love others that way, guess what? His love is made complete in us." [13:09] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The kingdom of heaven is like a dandelion. No, Jesus said a kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. But for the people who heard him preach that, I think it was the same. Dandelions and mustard seeds are both edible. They're both medicinal. But farmers tend not to plant them. Why don't we plant dandelions? Because they tend to take them. They take over the whole garden. They spread like crazy. They're unstoppable. The kingdom of heaven is like a dandelion." [16:23] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus did not come to start a new religion. Yeah, he did. Don't be Jewish. Be Christian. No, no, he never talked like that. He talked about a kingdom of heaven coming to earth. Follow me. Be a part of it. Be in it. That's the language he would have used. And so we have these spiritualities which are informal, disorganized. You could say untamed, like dandelions. You can't tame them. They're wild." [17:51] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What if we didn't worry too much about what people believe and how they behave, and we just help them to come back to the well of Jesus every day? Would that do it? Well, there's some risks. Let me talk about those." [54:13] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If God really is present and active and loving, then he's with me in the shopping mall, at work, with family, golfing, canoeing, walking. He's there. And he's actively caring for me because he loves me. Loves me. Sees you. Knows you. Delights in you. Gifts and calls and sends you. Connected, right?" [01:00:10] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "What are the followers of Jesus like when they are struggling and marginal? What are the followers of Jesus Christ like when they have power, when they get aligned with the things of this world? We tend to think that the Christianity we practice is sort of the epitome of what has been getting better and better and more perfected, and here we are at the apex of brilliant beliefs and wonderful behavior. That's not the way it goes." [05:05] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What are Christians like when we're poor and struggling and marginalized? The answer is super. Even though we don't have much resources, we reach out to build schools and universities for orphans. We care for refugees. We build hospitals. We do all these really good things. And this morning, what I'm doing is reaching back to two very early expressions of Christianity. The Desert Fathers and Mothers and the Celtic Christians. I'm reaching back to a real high point of Christ-likeness and seeing what we can learn from them today." [08:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Love is the way of the kingdom of heaven, not power, not control, not order. Love. Love takes shape in community. And so the vows that these people would take would be poverty, chastity, obedience, not only to scripture, but also to my fellow people living in my community, and stability, which is interesting. Stability means stay where you are. You don't move to the next monastery just because they have a new swimming pool. You stay where you are, trusting that God is there with you." [28:27] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Holiness is in purity, getting away from the world versus holiness is connection, weighed deep into the world. It's not the absence of dirt that makes you clean. It's the being a part of bringing life. That makes you clean. Separation of sacred and worldly. This is a sanctuary, right? Out there is Granville Street where the druggies and the people who run red lights are. Well, no, we're in the sanctuary, you see. Yes, we're separated. And the Celts would say, you know, all things are sacred. Everything is included. Everything is interrelated." [50:47] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The possible pitfall is that you stop reading scripture because you're just having so much joy out in nature, commuting with the big trees and the waterfalls, that you actually forget that God has spoken to us in words, with ideas. There is a mission to be a part of, and there are people to be cared for. So that, over the centuries, has been the pitfall of Celtic spirituality. Does it have a weakness? Of course it does. All spiritualities do. But I still think they have things that they can teach us." [54:13] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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