Embodying Godly Love: A Call to Action
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound and transformative power of godly love, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and John 13:34-35. We began by reflecting on the most loving people in our lives and how their qualities align with the biblical definition of love. This led us to consider the importance of embodying godly love in our own lives, especially in a world that often misunderstands and misrepresents what true love is.
We delved into the reasons why the world might not be listening to our message of God's love, with a significant focus on the hypocrisy often observed among Christians. This hypocrisy, where actions do not align with professed beliefs, is a major stumbling block for non-believers. To counter this, we must ensure that our actions speak louder than our words, living out the love we preach.
Jesus' commandment to love one another as He has loved us is not just a suggestion but a mandate that carries the weight of our witness to the world. Our love for each other within the church is a testimony to the world of our discipleship. This love must be evident in our actions, not just our words.
We discussed three practical ways to practice godly love: choosing compassion over condemnation, listening to understand, and sacrificially serving others. These actions reflect the love Jesus demonstrated and are essential for transforming how the world perceives Christians and, ultimately, how they perceive Christ.
In conclusion, godly love is a resource that grows as it is shared. By asking ourselves if we are becoming more loving and seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can continually grow in love and reflect God's love more accurately to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Hypocrisy Hinders Our Witness: The number one reason people doubt Christianity is the perceived hypocrisy of religious people. Our actions must align with our words to effectively witness to the world. Living with integrity and consistency in our faith is crucial for representing Jesus well. [32:20]
2. Love as Jesus Loved: Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us is foundational. This love is our proof to the world that we are His disciples. It is a love that is patient, kind, and enduring, and it must be evident in our interactions within the church and beyond. [36:24]
3. Compassion Over Condemnation: Choosing compassion instead of condemnation reflects Jesus' mission to save, not to condemn. This approach is essential both within the church and in our interactions with non-believers. Compassionate actions can transform perceptions and open hearts to the gospel. [41:39]
4. Listening to Understand: True listening involves understanding the other person, not just preparing to respond. This practice demonstrates respect and love, fostering deeper connections and more effective communication. It aligns with the biblical principle of being quick to listen and slow to speak. [45:39]
5. Sacrificial Service: Serving others sacrificially, as Jesus did, is a powerful expression of godly love. This service requires time, energy, and resources but has the potential to transform lives and communities. It is through such acts of love that the world can see the true nature of Christ. [50:51]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:14] - Introduction to Love
[29:11] - Special Welcome to New Life Online and Holdridge
[30:09] - Defining Godly Love
[31:08] - Why the World Isn't Listening
[32:20] - Hypocrisy and Its Impact
[34:09] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[35:21] - Jesus' Command to Love
[36:24] - The Weight of Our Witness
[37:23] - Love in Action
[38:18] - Surprising the World with Love
[39:15] - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Quote
[40:34] - Are We Listening to Jesus?
[41:39] - Choose Compassion Over Condemnation
[45:39] - Listen to Understand
[50:51] - Sacrificially Serve Others
[53:07] - Outreach Events and Serving the Community
[54:57] - The Cost of Godly Love
[56:19] - Becoming More Loving
[57:37] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
2. John 13:34-35: "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, what are the characteristics of godly love?
2. In John 13:34-35, what commandment does Jesus give to His disciples, and what is the purpose of this commandment?
3. What is the number one reason people doubt Christianity, as mentioned in the sermon? ([31:08])
4. What are the three practical ways to practice godly love discussed in the sermon? ([41:39])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the biblical definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 challenge the world's understanding of love? ([30:09])
2. Why is it significant that Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us? How does this impact our witness to the world? ([36:24])
3. How can choosing compassion over condemnation change the way non-believers perceive Christians? ([41:39])
4. What does it mean to listen to understand, and why is this important in practicing godly love? ([45:39])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt judged rather than understood. How did that experience affect you, and how can you ensure you listen to understand others better? ([45:39])
2. Think of a situation where you were tempted to condemn someone. How could you have chosen compassion instead, and what might have been the outcome? ([41:39])
3. Identify a specific way you can serve someone sacrificially this week. What resources (time, energy, money) will it require, and how will you prioritize this act of service? ([50:51])
4. Consider your interactions within the church. Are there ways you can better demonstrate love to your fellow believers? What steps will you take to improve these relationships? ([37:23])
5. Reflect on the question, "Am I becoming more loving?" What evidence do you see in your life that supports your answer? If you feel you need to grow, what specific actions will you take to cultivate more love? ([56:19])
6. How can you ensure that your actions align with your words, especially in your witness to non-believers? Share a specific example where you can improve in this area. ([32:20])
7. Think of someone in your life who might be skeptical of Christianity due to perceived hypocrisy. How can you demonstrate godly love to them in a way that might change their perception? ([31:08])
Devotional
Day 1: Integrity in Witness
Hypocrisy is a significant barrier to effective Christian witness. When actions do not align with professed beliefs, it creates doubt and skepticism among non-believers. To represent Jesus well, Christians must live with integrity and consistency in their faith. This means that our daily actions should reflect the love and teachings of Christ, ensuring that our lives are a true testament to the gospel we preach. By doing so, we can break down barriers and open hearts to the message of God's love. [32:20]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your actions did not align with your professed beliefs. How can you seek to rectify this and ensure your future actions reflect your faith more accurately?
Day 2: Love as Jesus Loved
Jesus' command to love one another as He has loved us is foundational to Christian discipleship. This love is characterized by patience, kindness, and endurance, and it must be evident in our interactions both within the church and beyond. Our love for each other serves as proof to the world that we are His disciples. By embodying this love, we can demonstrate the transformative power of God's love and draw others to Him. [36:24]
1 John 4:12 (ESV): "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: Identify one person in your church community whom you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take this week to show them the love of Christ?
Day 3: Compassion Over Condemnation
Choosing compassion over condemnation reflects Jesus' mission to save, not to condemn. This approach is essential both within the church and in our interactions with non-believers. By showing compassion, we can transform perceptions and open hearts to the gospel. Compassionate actions demonstrate the love of Christ and can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities to share the message of salvation. [41:39]
James 2:13 (ESV): "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."
Reflection: Think of someone you have judged harshly. How can you show them compassion and mercy this week, reflecting the love of Christ in your actions?
Day 4: Listening to Understand
True listening involves understanding the other person, not just preparing to respond. This practice demonstrates respect and love, fostering deeper connections and more effective communication. It aligns with the biblical principle of being quick to listen and slow to speak. By truly listening, we can better understand the needs and concerns of others, allowing us to respond with empathy and love. [45:39]
Proverbs 18:13 (ESV): "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you were more focused on responding than understanding. How can you practice active listening in your next interaction?
Day 5: Sacrificial Service
Serving others sacrificially, as Jesus did, is a powerful expression of godly love. This service requires time, energy, and resources but has the potential to transform lives and communities. Through acts of sacrificial love, we can demonstrate the true nature of Christ and make a lasting impact on those around us. [50:51]
Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Reflection: Identify one person or group in your community who could benefit from your sacrificial service. What specific actions can you take this week to serve them in a meaningful way?
Quotes
1. "It's not enough to say that you subscribe to it. You subscribe to a set of beliefs. The people watching you want to see evidence of those beliefs actually put into action. Simply put, it's the cliche, actions speak louder than words. Actions speak louder than words. I taught in the elementary world for nine years. And one of the things that was just drilled into me by some great leaders was that your students, when you're teaching in a classroom, your students will do what they see you do more than they will do what you tell them to do." [32:20] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Why is the world not listening to us when we try to tell them about God's love? There's an organization called Barna. Barna studies culture and faith and then publishes reports that offer insight into the world in which we live. And in the fall of 2022, Barna polled adults and teens in the US and asked them what causes them to doubt Christianity. They're asking teens and adults, just about two years ago, what causes them to doubt Christianity? The number one reason people of other faiths, other than Christianity, or people that claim no faith, the number one reason that people of other faiths and people with no faith affiliation doubt Christianity is the hypocrisy of religious people." [31:08] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So now I am giving you a new commandment. Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. That's powerful. Do you feel the weight of that? The responsibility that comes with that. When he says your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. We've got some work to do to transform the view the world has of Christians, but it goes beyond just our reputation in the world." [36:24] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Imagine with me for just a moment what this would do to the world. What would it do to our country? Or better yet, let's boil it down. What would it do to our communities? Kearney, Holdridge, North Platte, Ogallala, wherever you're watching from online. What would it do for our communities if non-Christians started seeing a genuine, godly love present within the church every single time they looked at the church? How might this change the world? I think it's pretty safe to say there'd be less fighting in the world. Gossip would stop. Hating would be overcome." [38:18] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The world will not be transformed for the better by anything other than godly love. It's not going to be changed for the better by one more snarky social media comment. The world's not going to be changed for the better because of the never-ending toxic political climate. Is it just me or does it seem like we already have people that are running for office in like 2028 and they're campaigning? They're not making the world a better place, are they? The church, being known as judgmental hypocrites, will only be changed when we display godly love consistently." [39:15] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So, full disclosure, godly love is going to cost you. When you choose condemnation, excuse me, when you choose compassion over condemnation, when you listen to understand, when you sacrificially serve others, it's going to cost you. It costs us our time, it costs us our energy, it costs us what we want, our priorities, it costs us our resources. Because love isn't cheap. And that's why it has the ability to transform the world. A church that loves one another the way that Jesus loves each of us will be undeniably attractive to the world that's watching and searching for love." [54:24] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The secret about godly love is that it's a resource that doesn't diminish as you share it. As you share it with one another, as you share it with coworkers, classmates, people that you interact with at the doctor's office, the more you share godly love, the more it grows. It's a resource that doesn't diminish. And so I want you to ask yourself this question. Am I becoming more loving? If I look at my life over the last six months, over the last few years, maybe just the last six weeks, if you look over the course of your life, would you say, I'm becoming more loving?" [55:41] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If you want to practice loving like Jesus this week, choose compassion over condemnation. Listen to understand. And then the third one is this. Sacrificially serve others. We see Jesus model this for us over and over in Scripture. Our core Scripture today where Jesus said to love one another and that the world will know that you're my disciples by the way that you love each other. Right before that, at the beginning of the Last Supper, Jesus got down on his knees and he washed his disciples' feet. He sacrificially served them. Let's do the same." [50:51] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We have the definition of love. It's outlined for us in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. We kick things off today with love is patient. Love is kind. But it's not enough to tell other people what love is. We must show them what love is. And it starts, believe it or not, with how we treat one another within the church. We have an incredible opportunity. It's my perception that people are watching Christians as closely as they ever have. And sure, they may be watching us so closely to find our faults and find reasons why they don't want any part of the church, why we're wrong, why we should just go away or be quiet. They're looking for our faults. And they're watching us as close as they ever have. But wouldn't it be great if they were surprised by what they saw?" [37:23] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Are we as Christ followers listening to Jesus when he talks to us about godly love? Let me phrase the question a bit differently since scripture tells us that God is love. Are we watching what Jesus does and then doing the same? Are we allowing him to transform us into people that love like he does? After all, that's what Jesus was telling us. Telling his disciples in the Last Supper, John 13, 34, Love each other just as I have loved you. You should love each other. So let's break down godly love into a few practical actions that each one of us can take." [40:34] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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