Embodying Christ's Love Through Right Relationships
Summary
In our journey of faith, we are called to cultivate right relationships with others, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Today, we explored the concept of living in right relationship with our community, drawing inspiration from Acts 2. This passage illustrates the early church's commitment to fellowship, teaching, and prayer, resulting in a community that enjoyed the favor of all people. This challenges the misconception that being a follower of Christ means being disliked by the world. Instead, it invites us to consider how we can embody God's love in a way that draws others to Him.
Living in right relationship is not about being perfect; it's about being in relationship with the One who is perfect. We are called to love others because He first loved us, to be generous because He is generous, and to forgive because He has forgiven us. This is not an easy task, especially with those we do not choose to be in relationship with, like coworkers or neighbors. Yet, through Christ, we have the source of strength and love to pursue this calling.
A personal story highlighted the importance of being a source of goodness to others, even in challenging situations. It reminded us that our experiences, even difficult ones, can shape us into people who naturally extend grace and help to others. This is a journey of discipleship, where we are continually being transformed by the love of Christ and the example of those around us.
As we strive to live in right relationship, we are encouraged to approach discipleship with childlike faith, knowing we are loved, relying on others, and taking action. This involves being part of a community that supports and prays for one another, as exemplified by the Good Neighbor team, which actively serves and partners with local organizations to make a difference.
In communion, we remember Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for right relationship with us. His example inspires us to fight for shalom, the peace and wholeness that comes from living in harmony with God and others.
Key Takeaways:
1. Right Relationships Reflect Christ's Love: Living in right relationship with others is a reflection of Christ's love and grace. It challenges the notion that being a Christian means being disliked by the world, instead inviting us to embody God's love in a way that draws others to Him. [05:34]
2. Strength in Christ for the Impossible Task: While living in right relationship with everyone may seem impossible, we have the strength and love of Christ to guide us. We love and forgive others because He first loved and forgave us, making the impossible possible. [09:04]
3. Learning from Life's Challenges: Our experiences, even difficult ones, can shape us into people who naturally extend grace and help to others. These moments of discipleship teach us to be sources of goodness in the world. [13:54]
4. Childlike Faith in Discipleship: Approaching discipleship with childlike faith involves knowing we are loved, relying on others, and taking action. This faith empowers us to confront our flaws and grow in our relationship with God and others. [15:37]
5. Communion as a Reminder of Christ's Sacrifice: In communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice for right relationship with us. His example inspires us to fight for shalom, living in harmony with God and others, and being a source of goodness in our communities. [23:00]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:16] - Personal Reflections and Challenges
[02:39] - The Power of Community Prayer
[04:01] - Acts 2: A Model for Right Relationships
[04:43] - Enjoying Favor with All People
[05:34] - Misinterpretations of Christian Favor
[07:38] - Choosing Relationships
[09:04] - The Source of Right Relationships
[09:45] - Being a Source of Goodness
[11:18] - Lessons from Personal Experiences
[12:42] - Discipleship Through Life's Challenges
[13:54] - Day by Day Transformation
[14:37] - Relational Kingdom Challenge
[15:37] - Childlike Faith in Discipleship
[16:31] - Community Support and Prayer
[18:10] - The Good Neighbor Team
[23:00] - Communion and Jesus' Sacrifice
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 2:42-47: This passage describes the early church's commitment to fellowship, teaching, and prayer, resulting in a community that enjoyed the favor of all people.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the key activities that the early church devoted themselves to according to Acts 2:42-47?
2. How did the early church's actions lead to them enjoying the favor of all people? [04:43]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the common misconception that being a Christian means being disliked by the world? [05:34]
4. How does the personal story shared in the sermon illustrate the concept of being a source of goodness to others? [11:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the early church's example in Acts 2 challenge the idea that Christians should expect to be disliked by the world? [05:34]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living in right relationship with others is an impossible task without Christ? [09:04]
3. How can personal experiences, even difficult ones, shape a person into someone who naturally extends grace and help to others? [13:54]
4. What does it mean to approach discipleship with childlike faith, and how does this concept relate to living in right relationship with others? [15:37]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt challenged to live in right relationship with someone you did not choose to be in relationship with, like a coworker or neighbor. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now? [07:38]
2. Consider the idea that living in right relationship is not about being perfect but being in relationship with the One who is perfect. How does this perspective change your approach to difficult relationships? [09:04]
3. Identify a personal experience that has shaped you into someone who extends grace to others. How can you use this experience to encourage others in your community? [13:54]
4. What specific actions can you take to embody God's love in a way that draws others to Him, especially in your local community? [05:34]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of childlike faith into your daily discipleship journey? What steps can you take to rely more on others and take action in your faith? [15:37]
6. Reflect on the role of community in your spiritual journey. How can you actively contribute to a community that supports and prays for one another, like the Good Neighbor team? [18:10]
7. During communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice for right relationship with us. How does this inspire you to fight for shalom in your own life and community? [23:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting Christ's Love in Relationships
Living in right relationship with others is a profound reflection of Christ's love and grace. This challenges the common misconception that being a Christian means being disliked by the world. Instead, it invites believers to embody God's love in a way that draws others to Him. Acts 2 provides a model of the early church's commitment to fellowship, teaching, and prayer, resulting in a community that enjoyed the favor of all people. This passage encourages us to consider how we can live in such a way that our relationships reflect the love and grace of Jesus Christ, inviting others to experience His love through us. [05:34]
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where you can better reflect Christ's love. What specific actions can you take this week to show genuine love and grace in that relationship?
Day 2: Strength in Christ for the Impossible Task
While living in right relationship with everyone may seem impossible, believers have the strength and love of Christ to guide them. Christians are called to love and forgive others because He first loved and forgave them, making the impossible possible. This calling is especially challenging with those we do not choose to be in relationship with, like coworkers or neighbors. Yet, through Christ, believers have the source of strength and love to pursue this calling, transforming difficult relationships into opportunities to reflect His love. [09:04]
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being." (Ephesians 3:14-16, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a challenging relationship in your life. How can you rely on Christ's strength to love and forgive in this situation today?
Day 3: Learning from Life's Challenges
Our experiences, even difficult ones, can shape us into people who naturally extend grace and help to others. These moments of discipleship teach us to be sources of goodness in the world. A personal story highlighted the importance of being a source of goodness to others, even in challenging situations. It reminded us that our experiences can shape us into people who naturally extend grace and help to others, continually being transformed by the love of Christ and the example of those around us. [13:54]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did it shape you, and how can you use that experience to extend grace and goodness to others today?
Day 4: Childlike Faith in Discipleship
Approaching discipleship with childlike faith involves knowing we are loved, relying on others, and taking action. This faith empowers believers to confront their flaws and grow in their relationship with God and others. Being part of a community that supports and prays for one another is crucial in this journey. The Good Neighbor team exemplifies this by actively serving and partnering with local organizations to make a difference, showing that childlike faith is not passive but active and transformative. [15:37]
"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Mark 10:15, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to embrace a childlike faith? How can you take a step of action in that area today?
Day 5: Communion as a Reminder of Christ's Sacrifice
In communion, believers remember Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for right relationship with them. His example inspires them to fight for shalom, the peace and wholeness that comes from living in harmony with God and others. Communion is a powerful reminder of the love and sacrifice of Jesus, calling believers to be sources of goodness in their communities. It challenges them to live in a way that reflects the peace and wholeness of God's kingdom, continually striving to embody His love and grace in all relationships. [23:00]
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: As you partake in communion, reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. How can you be a source of peace and wholeness in your community this week?
Quotes
"God, as we talk today about the rhythm of right relationship with others, there is certainly a lot of room for all of us to grow more and more into the person of Jesus. So would you give us courage to press into that, to be excited about what you have in store for us? We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen." [00:00:32] (27 seconds)
"Well, as we continue our conversation on right relationship, we've talked about the up, right relationship with God, the in, with each other here in church. Today, we're talking about the out, right relationship with community. Our guiding text throughout this whole conversation has been Acts 2." [00:03:09] (21 seconds)
"Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." [00:04:07] (25 seconds)
"Let me tell you, if the systems that perpetuate exploitation, that perpetuate injustice, if those systems are against you, if the people who benefit from those systems are against you, maybe that's the time where you, you know, pat yourself on the back, be like, hey, like, I'm doing God's work. So hopefully we're on the same page about, hey, let's not be jerks." [00:06:36] (26 seconds)
"In one sense, obviously, it is an impossible task. If you look at marriage statistics, we as humans are not great at living in right relationship with one person. How do we live in right relationship with eight billion different people? So yes, in one hand, it is this impossible task. Even one person is impossible to do it perfect. But in another sense, as Christians, we have this amazing thing where the one person who does have it perfect, we are in relationship with him." [00:08:18] (35 seconds)
"We love others because he first loved us. We are generous towards others, right? Generous with our time, our treasure, in our talents in response to his generosity towards us. We can radically forgive others when we remember his radical forgiveness for us. Discovery, if you want to be a source of goodness to your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends, not just the people who are easy to get along with, start with God." [00:09:04] (35 seconds)
"About a month ago, I had the surprisingly difficult question of, how can I be a source of goodness to my neighbors? And I said, it's a difficult experience of taking Amtrak from Davis to Seattle. You hop on about 11 p.m., you arrive about 9 p.m. And the reason it was so difficult is I was assigned a seat, and that seat just happened to be right next to the opening between where all of the passengers go to like where all of the food is." [00:09:45] (24 seconds)
"Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when we look back, everything is different? Discovery, if you want to press into right relationship with others, press into Jesus. Well, throughout this series, we've had kind of our own series of relational kingdom challenges. Here is this week's relational kingdom challenge. It should be up here. Yes, approach one area of discipleship with childlike faith." [00:14:37] (37 seconds)
"What do I mean by childlike faith? Some of you gospel gurus out there might get the reference. Jesus said, if you want to enter into the kingdom of God, you have to be a disciple. If you want to enter the kingdom in heaven, you must become like little children. What does that have anything to do with discipleship? I'll give you three ways that has to do with discipleship. First thing, know that you are loved." [00:15:13] (23 seconds)
"If we're going to press into, honestly, one of the scariest things about life, you know, our own flaws, how we break shalom, go into that with the assurance that you are loved. Number two, children rely on others. If there's something you're lacking in, I think it's pretty clear you're not the expert on that, so go pray. Go share with your neighborhood community." [00:15:57] (34 seconds)
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