Embracing Christ's Love: Building a Unified Church Community
Summary
Today, I began our sermon series titled "O.T.A. One to Another," focusing on the new commandment Jesus gives us in John 13:34-35, which instructs us to love one another as He has loved us. This commandment is not just a mere suggestion but a directive that defines our identity as His disciples. The love we exhibit towards one another within the church community is a testament to our faith and a witness to the world.
In this sermon, I emphasized the importance of community within the church. The church is designed by God not just as a gathering of individuals, but as a body where each member supports and enhances the growth of others. This community aspect is crucial because it is within the church that we learn to practice the love that Christ commands us to show. We discussed how this love should not be superficial but must be deep, sacrificial, and unconditional, mirroring the love Christ has for us.
I highlighted the reality that our relationships within the church can sometimes be challenging. We encounter a diverse group of individuals, some of whom may be quite different from us. However, these relationships are God's tool to refine us, teaching us to love unconditionally. This is not always easy, but it is essential for our growth as believers and for the health of the church community.
Furthermore, I addressed the issue of church hurt, acknowledging that while the church is a sanctuary, it is also composed of imperfect people who can sometimes cause pain. Yet, this should not deter us from engaging with the church. Instead, it should drive us to lean more into Christ's example of forgiveness and reconciliation, striving to embody His character in all our interactions.
Finally, I called on each member to reflect on their role within the community. Are we contributing to the unity and love that Christ desires for His church? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to heal wounds and bridge divides? This reflection is crucial as we aim to not only grow individually but also strengthen the fabric of our church community.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Primacy of Love in Christian Community: The new commandment to love one another as Christ loved us is not just a rule to follow but the foundation of our identity as followers of Christ. This love is active, sacrificial, and unconditional, reflecting the depth of Christ's love for us. In practicing this, we become a living testimony to the world of God's love and grace. [01:12:20]
2. Church as a Refining Community: The church is designed by God to be a place where we are spiritually formed and refined. Through interactions, sometimes challenging, with fellow believers, we learn patience, forgiveness, and compassion. These virtues are essential for personal growth and for upholding the integrity of the church as the body of Christ. [01:26:38]
3. Dealing with Church Hurt: While the church is a place of healing, it can also be a place where we experience hurt. However, this should not lead us to withdraw but to engage more deeply, allowing Christ to work through us to bring healing and reconciliation. This process is crucial for personal and communal healing. [01:24:59]
4. The Role of Each Member in the Church: Every member has a role to play in building up the church. We are called to contribute positively, using our gifts in service to one another and to foster an environment where the love of Christ is evident and active. This service is a direct reflection of our obedience to Christ's commandment. [01:15:27]
5. Continuous Self-Examination and Growth: As believers, we must continually examine our hearts and actions to ensure they align with Christ's commandments. This ongoing self-examination helps us to avoid complacency and spurs us on to greater Christ-likeness in our thoughts, actions, and relationships within the church. [01:53:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [27:37] - Introduction to Church Community
- [54:04] - Prayer and Encouragement
- [58:37] - Scripture Reading and Sermon Introduction
- [01:12:20] - Discussing the New Commandment
- [01:24:59] - Addressing Church Hurt
- [01:53:35] - Call to Action and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 13:34-35 (ESV): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
#### Observation Questions
1. What is the new commandment that Jesus gives in John 13:34-35?
2. According to the sermon, why is the commandment to love one another significant for the church community? [01:12:20]
3. How does Jesus describe the way we should love one another in John 13:34-35?
4. What are some challenges mentioned in the sermon that we might face when trying to love one another within the church? [01:19:06]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize loving one another as a distinctive mark of discipleship? How does this reflect our relationship with God? [01:12:20]
2. How can the church community serve as a refining tool for believers, according to the sermon? [01:26:38]
3. What does the sermon suggest about dealing with church hurt and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation? [01:24:59]
4. How does the new commandment to love one another relate to the concept of a new heart and new covenant mentioned in the sermon? [01:30:09]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships within the church. Are there specific individuals you find challenging to love? How can you begin to show them Christ-like love this week? [01:19:06]
2. Have you ever experienced church hurt? How did you handle it, and what steps can you take to seek healing and reconciliation now? [01:24:59]
3. In what ways can you contribute to the unity and love within your church community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to foster a more loving environment. [01:15:27]
4. How can you practice sacrificial and unconditional love in your daily interactions, both within and outside the church? Share a recent example or a plan for how you will do this. [01:12:20]
5. The sermon calls for continuous self-examination and growth. What specific area of your life do you feel needs more alignment with Christ’s commandment to love? How will you address this? [01:53:35]
6. Think of a time when you felt the love of Christ through someone in your church. How did it impact you, and how can you be that person for someone else? [01:12:20]
7. How can you use your spiritual gifts to serve others in your church community, ensuring that the love of Christ is evident and active? [01:15:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Love as Christ Loved Us
The new commandment to love one another as Christ has loved us is foundational to our identity as Christians. This love is not passive; it is active, sacrificial, and unconditional. It requires us to go beyond mere feelings and to act in ways that genuinely meet the needs of others, just as Christ did for us. This kind of love is transformative, both for the giver and the receiver, and it serves as a powerful witness to the world of God's love and grace. By embodying this love, we reflect the very nature of Christ to those around us, drawing others closer to Him. [07:40]
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: How can you demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in your community this week, following Christ's example?
Day 2: The Church as a Refining Community
The church is designed by God to be more than a gathering; it is a community where we are spiritually formed and refined. Through our interactions, especially the challenging ones, with fellow believers, we develop virtues like patience, forgiveness, and compassion. These interactions are not accidental but are divinely appointed opportunities for growth. As we engage with one another, even in difficult circumstances, we are polished and refined, becoming more like Christ. This process is essential not only for our personal spiritual growth but also for maintaining the integrity of the church as the body of Christ. [26:38]
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your church community challenges you the most, and how can you approach your interactions with them as opportunities for spiritual growth?
Day 3: Addressing Church Hurt
While the church is intended to be a place of sanctuary and healing, it is also a place where hurt can occur, given that it is made up of imperfect people. Recognizing this, we should not withdraw but rather engage more deeply, allowing Christ's example of forgiveness and reconciliation to guide us. This engagement is not just for our healing but also for the healing of others within the community. By doing so, we embody the healing and reconciliatory work of Christ, making the church a true refuge for all. [24:59]
Colossians 3:12-14 ESV: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Is there a past hurt within your church community that you need to seek healing for, and how can you initiate reconciliation?
Day 4: Every Member's Role in the Church
Each member of the church has a unique role to play in building up the community. We are called to use our gifts in service to one another, fostering an environment where the love of Christ is palpable and active. This service is a direct reflection of our obedience to Christ's commandment to love one another. When every member actively participates, using their God-given talents and gifts, the church thrives and grows in unity and love, becoming a beacon of Christ's love in the world. [15:27]
Romans 12:4-6 ESV: "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."
Reflection: What are your unique gifts, and how are you currently using them to serve your church community?
Day 5: Continuous Self-Examination and Growth
As believers, we must continually examine our hearts and actions to ensure they align with Christ's commandments. This ongoing self-examination is crucial to avoid complacency and to spur us on to greater Christ-likeness. By regularly assessing our spiritual health and growth, we can make necessary adjustments that align more closely with Christ's teachings and example. This practice not only benefits us personally but also strengthens our witness to others, as they see genuine transformation in our lives. [53:35]
Lamentations 3:40-41 ESV: "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel you have become complacent, and what steps can you take to renew your commitment to grow in that area?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me. And just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you. Where I am going, you cannot come. A new commandment I give to you. That you love one another. Just as I have loved you. You also are to love one another. By this. Everybody say by this. All people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." [58:37]
2. "Relationship goals. Generally when we see or hear. The term relationship goals. It is speaking to the romantic love between a couple. Focuses on romantic love between two individuals and what they should do. In order to keep that relationship strong happy and healthy." [01:00:31]
3. "And sororities have you ever had to guess what fraternity or sorority somebody belong to if you did they don't belong to one you know by the colors they wear you know by the paraphernalia they have on some people you know by the brand that's marked on their body you know what fraternity or sorority they belong to when you go to a sporting event you know who somebody's cheering for you don't show up at the game with the opposing team's jersey on you showing up with a jersey that lets everybody know this is the distinctive mark of the allegiance that I have." [01:49:07]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The church is not a place of perfection but a community where we grow, learn, and are refined by our interactions. It's where we practice the commandment to love as Jesus loved us, deeply and sacrificially. This love is not just a feeling but an action, a commitment to live out Christ's love in our daily interactions." [01:12:20]
2. "We encounter a diverse group of individuals in the church, and these relationships can sometimes be challenging. However, these relationships are God's tool to refine us, teaching us to love unconditionally. This is not always easy, but it is essential for our growth as believers and for the health of the church community." [01:22:04]
3. "Furthermore, I addressed the issue of church hurt, acknowledging that while the church is a sanctuary, it is also composed of imperfect people who can sometimes cause pain. Yet, this should not deter us from engaging with the church. Instead, it should drive us to lean more into Christ's example of forgiveness and reconciliation, striving to embody His character in all our interactions." [01:24:59]
4. "Every member has a role to play in building up the church. We are called to contribute positively, using our gifts in service to one another and to foster an environment where the love of Christ is evident and active. This service is a direct reflection of our obedience to Christ's commandment." [01:15:27]
5. "As believers, we must continually examine our hearts and actions to ensure they align with Christ's commandments. This ongoing self-examination helps us to avoid complacency and spurs us on to greater Christ-likeness in our thoughts, actions, and relationships within the church." [01:17:24]
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