Embodying True Love: The Pursuit of Holiness

 

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church. Today, we gather to celebrate Mother's Day, recognizing all the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and spiritual mothers who have played significant roles in our lives. We also acknowledge those for whom this day is difficult, whether due to the loss of a mother or child, or the longing for a child. As I stand here on my second Mother's Day without my mom, I am reminded of God's faithfulness and His ability to carry us through our seasons of grief and joy.

We are continuing our series on the pursuit of holiness, focusing today on love as a fruit of the Spirit. Holiness is not just about being set apart; it is about embodying the characteristics of God, including love. We have discussed justification, being made right with God through Jesus' sacrifice, and sanctification, the ongoing process of becoming holy. This process requires daily intentionality, obedience, and a willingness to be refined by God.

Obedience is not always easy or enjoyable, but it is necessary for our spiritual growth. Last week, my husband delivered a powerful message on forgiveness, emphasizing that forgiveness is for our benefit, freeing us from the anchors of our past. Today, we delve into love, a fundamental aspect of our faith and a key fruit of the Spirit.

The world offers many counterfeit versions of love, often rooted in selfish desires and fleeting emotions. True love, however, is selfless and sacrificial, as exemplified by Jesus. Mothers often embody this kind of love, praying and interceding for their children, even when it is difficult to let go and trust God with their lives.

Our mission as a church is to reach up, reach in, and reach out. We reach up to worship and glorify God, acknowledging His worthiness. We reach in to accept His love for us, even when our past experiences make it difficult to understand or receive love. And we reach out to love others, demonstrating God's love through our actions.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes love as patient, kind, and selfless. Without love, all our spiritual gifts and good deeds are meaningless. Love is the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, transforming us from the inside out. It is not enough to possess spiritual gifts; we must also cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We are living in the last days, as described in 2 Timothy 3, where people are self-centered, unloving, and unforgiving. As followers of Christ, we are called to be different, to be loving and forgiving, reflecting God's character in a world that desperately needs it. This requires us to be intentional in our pursuit of holiness, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.

In Genesis, we see that God created everything with a purpose, including us. He desires to partner with us in cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. This partnership requires us to be fertile soil, open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and willing to get our hands dirty in the process of growth and transformation.

As we close, let us remember that our ultimate goal is to know God and to be known by Him. Our good deeds and spiritual gifts are important, but they must be rooted in love. Let us strive to be imitators of Christ, showing the world what it means to live a godly life through our love for God and for others.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Pursuit of Holiness: Holiness is not just about being set apart; it is about embodying the characteristics of God, including love. This requires daily intentionality, obedience, and a willingness to be refined by God. Holiness is a process that involves justification through Jesus' sacrifice and ongoing sanctification. [02:42]

2. The Importance of Forgiveness: Forgiveness is essential for our spiritual well-being. It frees us from the anchors of our past and allows us to move forward. Forgiveness is not about reconciling with those who have hurt us but about setting ourselves free. Unforgiveness keeps us tethered to our past and hinders our spiritual growth. [05:34]

3. True Love vs. Counterfeit Love: The world offers many counterfeit versions of love, often rooted in selfish desires and fleeting emotions. True love, however, is selfless and sacrificial, as exemplified by Jesus. Mothers often embody this kind of love, praying and interceding for their children, even when it is difficult to let go and trust God with their lives. [09:08]

4. The Role of Spiritual Gifts and Fruit: Spiritual gifts are given to us to serve and edify the body of Christ, but they must be accompanied by the fruit of the Spirit. Without love, all our spiritual gifts and good deeds are meaningless. Love is the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, transforming us from the inside out. [27:08]

5. Living in the Last Days: We are living in the last days, as described in 2 Timothy 3, where people are self-centered, unloving, and unforgiving. As followers of Christ, we are called to be different, to be loving and forgiving, reflecting God's character in a world that desperately needs it. This requires us to be intentional in our pursuit of holiness, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. [33:38]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:50] - Acknowledging Mother's Day
[02:42] - God's Faithfulness and the Pursuit of Holiness
[03:48] - Justification and Sanctification
[04:33] - The Challenge of Obedience
[05:34] - The Power of Forgiveness
[07:14] - The Epitome of a Mother's Love
[09:08] - Counterfeit Love vs. True Love
[09:47] - Our Mission: Reach Up, Reach In, Reach Out
[13:41] - Loving Others Through God
[15:57] - Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit
[16:46] - Daily Surrender and Crushing Idols
[17:33] - Revival in Our Hearts
[18:39] - The Commandment to Love One Another
[19:28] - God's Purpose in Creation
[22:02] - Partnering with the Holy Spirit
[23:07] - The Pruning Process
[24:55] - Saved by Grace, Not Works
[25:54] - The Role of Good Deeds
[27:08] - Spiritual Gifts vs. Fruit of the Spirit
[29:57] - Imitating Christ
[30:56] - The Long List of Spiritual Responsibilities
[32:04] - The Exhaustion of Self-Reliance
[33:38] - Living in the Last Days
[34:43] - The Dangers of Acting Religious
[35:43] - The Importance of Love
[36:57] - A Prayer for Genuine Love
[37:55] - Characteristics of True Love
[38:47] - The Desire for Genuine Fruit
[40:02] - Self-Serving Love vs. Godly Love
[40:51] - The Story of the Fish
[42:23] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[42:55] - Worship and Crushing Idols
[43:47] - The Priority of God
[44:28] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
2. John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
3. 2 Timothy 3:1-5: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, what is the significance of love in relation to spiritual gifts and good deeds?
2. In John 13:34-35, what command does Jesus give to His disciples, and what is the intended outcome of following this command?
3. Based on 2 Timothy 3:1-5, what are some characteristics of people in the last days, and how do these characteristics contrast with the fruit of the Spirit?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the absence of love render spiritual gifts and good deeds meaningless according to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? [35:43]
2. What does Jesus mean when He says that loving one another will show that we are His disciples in John 13:34-35? How does this relate to our daily interactions? [18:39]
3. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul describes behaviors that are prevalent in the last days. How can Christians intentionally pursue holiness and love in such an environment? [33:38]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to forgive someone. How did holding onto unforgiveness affect your spiritual growth? What steps can you take to practice forgiveness this week? [05:34]
2. Think about the different versions of love the world offers. How can you discern between true, selfless love and counterfeit love in your relationships? [09:08]
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of being intentional in our pursuit of holiness. What daily practices can you implement to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, especially love, in your life? [02:42]
4. How can you demonstrate God's love through your actions in your community? Identify one specific way you can reach out to someone in need this week. [09:47]
5. The sermon highlighted the role of mothers in embodying selfless love. How can you honor and support the mothers and spiritual mothers in your life, especially those who may be struggling? [01:50]
6. Reflect on the concept of partnering with the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. What does this partnership look like in your daily life, and how can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance? [20:53]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of love as the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. How can you ensure that your spiritual gifts are accompanied by genuine love? [27:08]

Devotional

Day 1: The Pursuit of Holiness
Holiness is not just about being set apart; it is about embodying the characteristics of God, including love. This requires daily intentionality, obedience, and a willingness to be refined by God. Holiness is a process that involves justification through Jesus' sacrifice and ongoing sanctification. Justification is the act of being made right with God through Jesus' sacrifice, while sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming holy. This process requires daily intentionality, obedience, and a willingness to be refined by God. Holiness is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey that involves daily surrender and commitment to God's will.

Holiness is not always easy or enjoyable, but it is necessary for our spiritual growth. It requires us to be intentional in our pursuit of holiness, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. This means being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and willing to get our hands dirty in the process of growth and transformation. As we strive to embody the characteristics of God, including love, we become more like Christ and reflect His character to the world around us. [02:42]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to be more intentional in your pursuit of holiness? How can you allow the Holy Spirit to refine you in this process?


Day 2: The Importance of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is essential for our spiritual well-being. It frees us from the anchors of our past and allows us to move forward. Forgiveness is not about reconciling with those who have hurt us but about setting ourselves free. Unforgiveness keeps us tethered to our past and hinders our spiritual growth. When we hold onto unforgiveness, we are unable to fully experience the freedom and peace that God desires for us. Forgiveness is a choice that we must make daily, and it requires us to trust God with our pain and allow Him to heal our hearts.

Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is necessary for our spiritual growth. It requires us to let go of our desire for revenge and trust God to bring justice in His own time and way. As we choose to forgive, we are able to experience the freedom and peace that comes from releasing our pain to God. This allows us to move forward in our spiritual journey and grow in our relationship with God. [05:34]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 3: True Love vs. Counterfeit Love
The world offers many counterfeit versions of love, often rooted in selfish desires and fleeting emotions. True love, however, is selfless and sacrificial, as exemplified by Jesus. Mothers often embody this kind of love, praying and interceding for their children, even when it is difficult to let go and trust God with their lives. True love is not about what we can get from others but about what we can give. It is about putting others' needs before our own and being willing to make sacrifices for their well-being.

True love is patient, kind, and selfless. It is not about seeking our own desires but about seeking the best for others. This kind of love is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out, we are able to love others with the same selfless and sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated. This kind of love is a powerful witness to the world and reflects the character of God. [09:08]

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "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: Reflect on your relationships. Are there areas where you have been showing counterfeit love instead of true love? How can you begin to demonstrate selfless and sacrificial love to those around you?


Day 4: The Role of Spiritual Gifts and Fruit
Spiritual gifts are given to us to serve and edify the body of Christ, but they must be accompanied by the fruit of the Spirit. Without love, all our spiritual gifts and good deeds are meaningless. Love is the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, transforming us from the inside out. It is not enough to possess spiritual gifts; we must also cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of a transformed life. As we grow in our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit works in us to produce these qualities. This transformation is a process that requires daily surrender and commitment to God's will. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we become more like Christ and reflect His character to the world around us. This is the true measure of our spiritual maturity and effectiveness in serving the body of Christ. [27:08]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Reflect on the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Are there areas where you need to grow? How can you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you to produce these qualities?


Day 5: Living in the Last Days
We are living in the last days, as described in 2 Timothy 3, where people are self-centered, unloving, and unforgiving. As followers of Christ, we are called to be different, to be loving and forgiving, reflecting God's character in a world that desperately needs it. This requires us to be intentional in our pursuit of holiness, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. We are called to be a light in the darkness, showing the world what it means to live a godly life through our love for God and for others.

Living in the last days means that we must be vigilant and intentional in our spiritual walk. We must be aware of the signs of the times and be prepared for Christ's return. This requires us to be rooted in God's Word and to be led by the Holy Spirit. As we live out our faith in a world that is increasingly hostile to the things of God, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to give us the strength and courage to stand firm and to be a witness to those around us. [33:38]

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV): "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."

Reflection: In what ways can you be a light in the darkness in your daily life? How can you intentionally pursue holiness and reflect God's character to those around you?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "It's cultivating it towards the Father. Being in right relationship with him. With all of our heart, our mind, our spirit, our soul, our strength. We love you, Lord. Daily. Daily. I want to die a thousand deaths to myself. I want. I want to empty myself of everything that I am. I want to crush every idol. I want to crush every idol. Everything that tries to exalt itself above the knowledge of Christ in my life. We want it to be burned off. Till nothing else is left. But him. Nothing fancy. No eloquent of words. No spectacle. No production. Till nothing left but you, God." [17:33]( | | )

2. "But what would we say that love is? Love is God. He is love. God loved us first so that we would love him. He loved us so that we would love him and that we would love others. And it's a picture of the cross. My husband has done this before. And it's actually how we came up with our mission statement. And if you don't know it, you can know it because I'm going to tell you. But if you don't know it, it's real easy. It's real easy to learn. But it's simple. We exist to reach up, reach in, and reach out. Very simple. It's not wordy. You don't have to try to memorize it. You just have to know it. You have to live it. You have to understand the meaning behind it." [09:47]( | | )

3. "So why is this sanctification so important? Why is he requiring us to be sanctified, to be living according to the spirit? Why is it so important? Because we are to be imitators of Christ. We are to show others what living a godly life is. And that is through our fruit, not our gift. Our gift is for the body. Our gift is to encourage each other, to uplift, to edify. But the fruit of the spirit is not our gift. The spirit is for others. We want to be uncompromising in our pursuit for righteousness." [29:57]( | | )

4. "It's going to be hard for us to love others at times. Hard for us to even forgive. And so we know that things are a process. We know that, you know, we have to be obedient. We are walking in the sanctification. We are forgiving. But then there's an action also of loving. Lord, how do I? I can forgive. Okay, because that sets me free. I can move forward. I don't want to be tethered to the past. I don't want to be tethered to the hurt and the baggage that comes with that. But now I have to express love. But now I have to love my neighbor as myself." [13:41]( | | )

5. "I just recently took a spiritual gifts test for a program that I'm in. And I was kind of hesitant to do it. But I actually didn't do it by the deadline. Because I felt like I've done this so many times before. I know what my spiritual gifts are. But I did it. And I was so surprised at how some of them have changed. And I believe I still have some of the gifts that I had before. But gift of exhortation was my highest. And for those of you that don't know what that means, it's the ability to encourage. The ability to uplift and edify." [14:29]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "We know that these days that we live in are the last days. And we've been saying this since a long time, forever, but it really is. It really is. I'm going to read the scripture in 2 Timothy 3, 4 through 1 and see if it's familiar. You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, it will be very difficult times for people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. Is that not what we're living today?" [33:38]( | | )

2. "This is the Word of God. They will act religious, but will reject the power of God that can make them godly. This is what we're talking about. This is the pursuit of holiness. It takes our action and our obedience and our pursuit to go after it, because if we're not going after it, guess what? We're falling into the same old things. We could be doing what, acting religious and doing all the things on the list that we're supposed to be doing, but unless we're consecrated unto God, we're not going to love. We're not going to forgive." [34:43]( | | )

3. "So my prayer for me to God this week has been, oh Lord, search my heart. Search my heart and eradicate anything that is not of you, so that I may be able to love. Amen. The way you have called and desired me to love. Check my motives. Check my motives, God. I don't want to have a false humility. I don't want to walk in pride. I don't want to walk in ego. I don't want to walk puffed up." [36:57]( | | )

4. "I don't want the gifts without the fruit. I don't want the gifts without the fruit. I don't want the knowledge. I don't want the ability to do anything unless I have the fruit of the Holy Spirit living in and through me. That is our desire, Lord. That is our desire. Amen. Amen. Love is patient and it is kind. And I know that I am not always patient, and I know that I am not always kind. But through you, God, I know that it is possible to be your hands and your feet, and to love the way that you love, to love my neighbor as myself." [38:47]( | | )

5. "I want to talk a little bit about the gifts of the spirit versus the fruit of the spirit. And I don't believe I have the scriptures to the AVL team. But in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 12 in the letter to the Corinth church, we see that the spirit gives us gifts. And it says in 1 Corinthians 12, for there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us." [27:08]( | | )

6. "But even sitting there, I was just so moved by God. Just moved by, you know, just again how faithful he is that he allows us to use what the enemy intended for harm, for our good, for our healing, for the ability to have an impact on others. And that was forgiveness is what he talked about. He said, And a lot of times we think that it does. We think that when we forgive somebody, we have to go into right relationship with them. And that's not true. We could definitely, you know, if that's what God is intending to for a relationship, definitely forgiveness is required before you can reconcile. But that's not necessarily what it means, right?" [05:34]( | | )

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Transcript
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