Embracing Divine Love: A Call to Action
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the transformative power of divine love and the spiritual principles that guide us toward a deeper understanding of our relationship with the Creator. We explored the necessity of change, the commitment to spiritual growth, and the profound realization that the Infinite Source is available to all, transcending race, gender, and religion. This Source, which supports the stars, is the same principle that supports each of us.
We reflected on the two great commandments: to love God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These commandments are not mere suggestions but are the foundation upon which we build our spiritual lives. They are the laws that the Master Teacher, Jesus, came not to abolish but to fulfill. In doing so, He exemplified the law of divine love, which is impartial and unconditional.
The sermon emphasized the importance of spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation, which are pathways to enlightenment, ascension, and awakening. These practices allow us to tap into our own divinity and the divine love that resides within us. We are reminded that we are created in the image and likeness of God, and as such, we have the capacity to express divine love in its purest form.
We discussed the concept of agape, a love that is not based on emotion or sentiment but on a decision of the will to be loving, regardless of whether that love is reciprocated. This divine love is not ours to own or withhold; it is meant to flow through us to everyone and everything. Our role is to be vessels of this love, allowing it to pass through us and into the world without judgment or reservation.
As we move forward, we are called to action—to let the flow of divine love go forth wherever we go. We must set aside our personal grievances, prejudices, and past hurts to allow God's love to shine through us. This is not a passive endeavor but an active extension of the divine love that is already present within each of us.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine love transcends our human understanding of love; it is not a commodity to be hoarded or distributed based on merit. Instead, it is an ever-present force that flows through us, seeking to reach all without discrimination. This love is not dependent on our greatness or achievements; it is freely given because we exist. [31:05]
- Spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation are not optional extras in our faith journey; they are essential tools that facilitate our direct connection with the Divine. Through these practices, we cultivate a consciousness that aligns us with the Creator and allows us to experience spiritual quickening—a profound awakening to our true identity in God. [32:36]
- The Master Teacher, Jesus, demonstrated that fulfilling the law is not about adhering to a set of rules but about embodying the essence of divine love. By loving God and our neighbors wholeheartedly, we participate in the divine flow of love that seeks to heal and unify all creation. [28:43]
- Agape, often discussed in theoretical terms, must be activated into action—into agapa. This requires a conscious decision to let the divine love within us extend to others, regardless of our personal feelings or the responses we receive. It is a love that is not ours to control but ours to share. [35:49]
- We are vessels of divine love, and our task is not to force this love upon others but to remove the barriers within ourselves that impede its flow. By doing so, we become conduits of a love that has the power to transform not only those around us but also ourselves, as we become more attuned to the divine presence within. [47:13]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)
"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
2. Deuteronomy 7:7-8 (ESV)
"It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."
3. Matthew 5:17 (ESV)
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
4. 1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 22:37-39, what does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind? How is this connected to loving your neighbor as yourself?
2. Reflecting on the same passage, why do you think Jesus describes the commandment to love your neighbor as "like" the first commandment?
3. Considering Deuteronomy 7:7-8, what does it reveal about the nature of God's love towards us?
4. How does Matthew 5:17 help us understand the relationship between love and the Law?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does loving God with all one's being transform the way we interact with our neighbors?
2. What implications does the second commandment have for how we view and treat others who are different from us?
3. In light of Deuteronomy 7:7-8, how should the understanding that God's love is not based on our greatness affect our self-perception and our perception of others?
4. How might fulfilling the law, as mentioned in Matthew 5:17, be related to the expression of divine love in our daily lives?
Application Questions:
1. Identify a practical way you can demonstrate love for God in your daily routine this week.
2. Think of a neighbor or someone in your community who is different from you. What is one specific action you can take to show them love this week?
3. Reflect on a time when you felt insignificant or unworthy. How can you use the truth from Deuteronomy 7:7-8 to encourage someone else who might be feeling the same way?
4. Choose one aspect of the law (such as honesty, purity, or justice) and discuss how you can embody this in a way that reflects divine love.
5. Consider a barrier within yourself that might be impeding the flow of divine love to others. What is one step you can take to begin removing that barrier this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Flow of Divine Love
Divine love is an all-encompassing force that defies our limited human understanding. It is not a resource that we can hoard or distribute selectively based on someone's worthiness. This love is a constant presence, seeking to touch every life without prejudice. It is given freely and unconditionally, not because of what we have done or who we are, but simply because we exist. As recipients of this divine love, we are called to recognize its boundless nature and to allow it to flow through us to others, serving as channels for its grace and compassion.
This love is not dependent on our actions or achievements; it is a gift that we are meant to share. When we open ourselves to this divine flow, we become instruments of love in the world, touching lives and healing hearts without expectation of return. The challenge lies in letting go of our ego and allowing this pure love to move through us, transforming us in the process.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:7-8 ESV
Reflection: How can you become a more open vessel for divine love to flow through you to others today?
Day 2: Cultivating Connection Through Spiritual Practice
Spiritual disciplines such as prayer and meditation are not just optional activities for those with extra time; they are vital practices that connect us directly with the Divine. These practices help to cultivate a consciousness that is in harmony with the Creator, allowing us to experience a spiritual awakening to our true identity as children of God. Through consistent engagement with these disciplines, we can achieve enlightenment and ascension, deepening our understanding of the divine presence within us.
As we commit to these practices, we begin to peel away the layers of our ego and encounter the divine love that resides at the core of our being. This process of spiritual quickening is a profound transformation that aligns our hearts and minds with the divine will, leading us to live out our faith with greater authenticity and purpose.
"But you, when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:6 ESV
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to deepen your spiritual practice and enhance your connection with the Divine?
Day 3: Living the Law of Divine Love
The Master Teacher, Jesus, demonstrated that the essence of the law is not found in strict adherence to rules but in the embodiment of divine love. By loving God with our entire being and loving our neighbors as ourselves, we fulfill the law in its truest form. This divine love is impartial and seeks to bring healing and unity to all of creation. It is a call to action, inviting us to participate in the divine flow of love that has the power to transform the world around us.
When we commit to this path, we become active participants in the divine narrative, working alongside the Creator to bring about reconciliation and peace. It is through our daily acts of love and compassion that we mirror the divine love that Jesus exemplified, becoming beacons of light in a world that often dwells in darkness.
"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." - John 13:34 ESV
Reflection: How can you embody the law of divine love in a practical way in your interactions with others today?
Day 4: Agape in Action
Agape love is a decision of the will, a commitment to be loving regardless of emotions or reciprocation. This divine love is not something we possess or control; it is a gift that we are called to share with the world. Agape requires us to move beyond theoretical understanding and put love into action, extending grace and kindness to all, even when it is challenging.
By choosing to love in this way, we reflect the nature of the Divine, who loves unconditionally and without reservation. This active expression of love, or agapa, is a powerful force that can break down barriers and create connections where there were once divisions.
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." - 1 John 3:16 ESV
Reflection: Who is someone you find difficult to love, and how can you choose to extend agape to them today?
Day 5: Becoming Conduits of Transformation
We are not merely recipients of divine love; we are vessels through which this love is meant to flow. Our task is not to impose this love on others but to remove the obstacles within ourselves that hinder its movement. As we work to eliminate these barriers, such as personal grievances and prejudices, we become clearer channels for divine love, allowing it to reach others and bring about transformation.
This process of becoming conduits of love is not passive; it requires active engagement and a willingness to be changed by the love that passes through us. As we align ourselves with the divine presence within, we not only facilitate the healing of those around us but also experience personal growth and spiritual evolution.
"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." - Colossians 3:14 ESV
Reflection: What barriers within yourself can you work on removing today to allow divine love to flow more freely through you?
Quotes
1) "The principle supporting the stars is the principle supporting and available to each of us as I declare this statement in the first person I declare for all I am open and receptive to this Divine living principle." [25:43] (Download | )
2) "I choose to allow the love of my Creator that's in me to flow out of me to whomever and whatever. I don't have to have emotions; I don't have to be sentimental about it." [35:49] (Download | Download cropped video)
3) "We are working with Divine love, and what we want to do is actively extend an agape consciousness into every facet of our life, even to those people and things we find challenging to love." [39:39] (Download | )
4) "When I realize that I am a vessel through which Divine love flows, a love that shows no partiality, an energy that promotes the good, a power that heals, our choice is to be a speaker or a conveyor of divine love." [42:01] (Download | Download cropped video)
5) "The Divine love was never mine to hold on to; it was put there for me to allow it to flow through me. It was never yours to hold, to own, or to stifle. It is in us to pass through us back out into the universe." [42:43] (Download | Download cropped video)
6) "Spiritual quickening is defined as an awakening up of the whole being to the full consciousness of what they are in the sight of God." [27:13] (Download | )
7) "Our work is in developing the consciousness that does not pick and choose, that does not select who or what should receive this Divine energy that's within us." [41:16] (Download | Download cropped video)
8) "The good part about this is that we really don't have to consciously force the issue of extending this love; we really have to get out of the way and allow it to flow." [40:24] (Download | Download cropped video)
9) "This Divine love that we don't own, that's not ours, we shouldn't be stifling it. We don't have to worry about that; it's a pass-through, come through me out into the Universe." [44:20] (Download | )
10) "The nonpersonal love, not based on affection but upon a decision of the will to be loving, to be given or offered even if that love is not received well or reciprocated, is the Divine aspect placed in each of us at birth." [44:58] (Download | )
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?