Embodying Christ's Love Through Grief and Truth

This morning, we gathered as a church family to grieve with the Wards, who have suffered a tragic loss, and to surround them with love, prayer, and practical support. In the midst of sorrow, we are reminded of the sustaining presence of God and the call to embody Christ’s love for one another, especially in times of need. As we look ahead, we prepare to embark on a season of study and prayer, focusing on the themes of gender and giftedness within our church, seeking to understand how God has uniquely equipped each of us to serve.

Central to our journey is a commitment to Scripture as our foundation and guide. Scripture is not merely a collection of ancient writings, but a living, unified story of God’s relentless love for His people. It has been preserved through the ages by those who believed deeply in its truth, even when it was misused or misunderstood. We are called to approach Scripture with humility, recognizing its depth and the need to read and wrestle with it both individually and in community. This communal pursuit of truth is a hallmark of our heritage, rooted in the Restoration Movement, which sought unity and authenticity by returning to the Scriptures above creeds or traditions.

We reflected on the example of the Bereans in Acts 17, who received new teachings with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to discern truth. Their openness stands in contrast to those who resist difficult conversations or new perspectives out of fear or discomfort. The pursuit of truth, when done together and rooted in love, has the power to unify rather than divide. Our tradition values the freedom to search the Scriptures, to ask hard questions, and to hold Christ as our common ground above all labels or divisions.

As we enter this season of study, we acknowledge that the church—both ancient and modern—is not perfect. The early church wrestled with issues of unity, forgiveness, and submission, just as we do today. Yet, Scripture remains our guide, calling us to grace, humility, and a willingness to be shaped by God’s truth. We trust that as we seek truth together, the Spirit will lead us into greater unity and freedom, equipping us for every good work and bearing witness to the world of God’s love through His church.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Grief and Community: In times of tragedy, the church is called to embody Christ’s love by surrounding those who suffer with prayer, presence, and practical support. This is not just a duty, but a privilege—to be the hands and feet of Jesus to one another, especially when words fail. Our unity is most visible when we bear one another’s burdens and remind each other that no one walks alone. [52:08]
• 2. Scripture as Living Story: The Bible is not a static rulebook or a collection of disconnected texts, but a living, unified story of God’s love and redemption. Its depth and relevance persist across generations, and it speaks differently to us as we grow and change. Approaching Scripture with reverence and openness allows it to shape us in ways that mere tradition or opinion cannot. [57:26]
• 3. The Pursuit of Truth in Community: True understanding of Scripture flourishes in community, where diverse perspectives and honest questions are welcomed. The Bereans modeled a noble eagerness to examine the Scriptures together, showing that truth is not threatened by investigation but is revealed through it. When we seek truth together, unity becomes possible even amid disagreement. [64:46]
• 4. Unity Over Division: Our heritage teaches us to prioritize Scripture over creeds and to value unity in essentials, liberty in opinions, and charity in all things. Labels and traditions can easily become sources of division, but Christ calls us to be Christians first—finding our common ground in Him rather than in denominational or cultural identities. This openness fosters humility and a spirit of learning from one another. [73:25]
• 5. Grace in the Messiness of Church Life: The early church—and every church since—has been a messy, imperfect community, wrestling with issues of power, submission, and forgiveness. Yet, it is precisely in this messiness that grace abounds. As we seek to follow Scripture together, we must give and receive grace, trusting that the Spirit will lead us into greater maturity, unity, and freedom. [76:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [52:08] - Grieving with the Ward Family
• [52:56] - Prayer for the Wards and Our Church
• [53:34] - Encouragement to Support Each Other
• [54:17] - Introduction to Upcoming Ephesians Series
• [57:26] - The Enduring Truth of Scripture
• [58:55] - The Importance of Data and Truth
• [59:42] - Searching for Truth: The Bereans
• [60:47] - Contrasting Thessalonica and Berea
• [64:46] - The Power of Community in Studying Scripture
• [66:10] - Restoration Movement Origins
• [69:12] - All Scripture is God-Breathed
• [70:29] - The Unifying Pursuit of Truth
• [73:25] - Unity Over Creeds and Labels
• [74:31] - The Messiness and Grace of Church Life
• [76:53] - Submission, Power, and Grace in the Early Church
• [77:44] - Seeking Truth Together for Freedom
• [79:38] - Invitation to Study and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Acts 17:10-12 (ESV) — > The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) — > All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

John 8:31-32 (ESV) — > So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 17:10-12, what made the Bereans different from the people in Thessalonica when they heard Paul’s message?
2. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of Scripture listed by Paul?
3. The sermon described the Bible as a “living, unified story of God’s relentless love for His people.” What examples did the pastor give to show how Scripture has been preserved and valued through history? [[57:26]]
4. What did the Restoration Movement emphasize about the role of Scripture compared to creeds or traditions? [[01:13:25]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Bereans were described as “more noble” for their approach to new teachings? What does this suggest about how we should handle new or challenging ideas in the church?
2. The sermon mentioned that Scripture has sometimes been misused or misunderstood, yet it remains true and inspired. How should this affect the way we approach difficult or controversial passages? [[57:26]]
3. The Restoration Movement’s motto was “unity in essentials, liberty in opinions, and charity in all things.” What does this look like in a real church community, especially when people disagree? [[01:13:25]]
4. The early church and the modern church both struggle with “the messiness of church life.” Why is grace so important in these situations, according to the sermon? [[01:16:53]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon began with a call to grieve with and support the Ward family. When someone in our church suffers, what are some practical ways you can be “the hands and feet of Jesus” to them? Is there someone right now you feel prompted to reach out to? [[52:08]]
2. The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily and with eagerness. What would it look like for you to approach the Bible with that same eagerness this week? Is there a specific topic or question you want to dig into? [[01:00:47]]
3. The pastor said that “truth should have nothing to fear from investigation.” Are there questions or doubts about faith you’ve been hesitant to bring up? What would it take for you to feel safe discussing them in this group? [[01:10:29]]
4. The sermon challenged us to value unity over labels and traditions. Are there any “labels” (denominational, political, cultural) that you find yourself clinging to more than your identity in Christ? How might you let go of those to pursue deeper unity? [[01:13:25]]
5. The early church was called to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ,” even when it was messy and difficult. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to give or receive more grace? What’s one step you could take this week? [[01:16:53]]
6. The sermon encouraged us to read and wrestle with Scripture both individually and in community. How can this group help you grow in your understanding of the Bible? What would you like to see more of in our discussions? [[01:04:46]]
7. As we enter a season of study on gender and giftedness, what are your hopes or fears about these conversations? How can we pray for one another as we seek truth together? [[54:17]]