Embracing God's Heart Through Love and Service
Summary
### Summary
This weekend has been filled with joy and blessings, from celebrating our granddaughter Maisie's second birthday to witnessing my father's water baptism. Reflecting on my father's journey, I am reminded of the power of faith and God's miraculous interventions. My father, who grew up in a Catholic household and faced many challenges, including battling cancer, has now come to a profound faith in Christ. His journey has been marked by moments of divine intervention, such as miraculous healings and encounters with what we believe to be angels. These experiences have not only strengthened his faith but also mine.
Today, I want to focus on the importance of having the heart of God. In our prayer lives, we often ask for God's will to be done and for His heart to be formed in us. This is a significant prayer because it requires us to align our actions and desires with God's values. The heart of God is reflected in our love for Him and our love for others. Jesus summarized the commandments into two: loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. These two commandments are inseparable and equally important.
Loving God means our actions and deeds reflect Him, and our lives become a testimony to His presence. It means putting others before ourselves and serving them. Jesus taught that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others, not in seeking titles or recognition. He modeled this through His life, culminating in washing His disciples' feet, including Judas's, who would betray Him.
As we prepare for our upcoming Serve Day, where we will join 13 other churches to serve our community, let us remember that our love for God is demonstrated through our love and service to others. This event is an opportunity to put our faith into action and to show the love of Christ in tangible ways. Let us embrace this chance to serve and make a difference for the Kingdom of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Heart of God in Our Lives: Praying for God's heart to be formed in us is a profound request. It means aligning our actions and desires with God's values, which often requires us to put others before ourselves and serve them selflessly. This alignment is crucial for living a life that truly reflects God's love and presence. [54:29]
2. Loving God and Loving Others: Jesus summarized the commandments into two inseparable and equally important directives: loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Our relationship with God is measured by how we treat others, making it impossible to claim love for God while neglecting or mistreating our fellow man. [01:01:47]
3. True Greatness Through Service: In the Kingdom of God, greatness is not about titles or recognition but about serving others. Jesus modeled this by washing His disciples' feet and teaching that the greatest among us must be a servant. This principle challenges us to humble ourselves and prioritize the needs of others. [01:11:48]
4. Faith in Action: Our love for God must be actionable. It's not enough to profess love for God; we must demonstrate it through our actions, especially in how we serve and care for others. This is a tangible expression of our faith and a reflection of God's love in our lives. [01:15:16]
5. Serve Day as an Opportunity: The upcoming Serve Day is a practical application of these principles. By joining with other churches to serve our community, we have the chance to put our faith into action and show the love of Christ in tangible ways. This event is a reminder that our faith is not just about personal devotion but also about communal service and impact. [01:25:14]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[40:53] - Celebrating Family and Faith
[42:08] - My Father's Journey of Faith
[45:53] - Divine Interventions and Miracles
[53:15] - The Heart of God in Our Lives
[57:39] - Loving God and Loving Others
[01:01:47] - True Greatness Through Service
[01:11:48] - Faith in Action
[01:15:16] - Serve Day as an Opportunity
[01:25:14] - Preparing for Serve Day
[01:27:51] - Invitation to Accept Christ
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 22:34-40 - "But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' 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. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'"
2. John 13:14-15 - "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."
3. Matthew 25:35-40 - "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two greatest commandments according to Jesus in Matthew 22:34-40?
2. How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of serving others in John 13:14-15?
3. In Matthew 25:35-40, what actions are highlighted as ways to serve Jesus through serving others?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized loving God and loving others as the greatest commandments? How are these two commandments connected? [57:39]
2. How does Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet in John 13:14-15 serve as a model for Christian behavior? What does this teach us about humility and service?
3. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus identifies specific acts of kindness and service. Why do you think these particular actions are significant in demonstrating our love for God?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. How can you better align your actions and desires with God's values, especially in terms of putting others before yourself? [54:29]
2. Think about a time when you had the opportunity to serve someone but chose not to. What held you back, and how can you overcome similar barriers in the future? [56:11]
3. Jesus taught that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others. What are some practical ways you can serve your community, especially during the upcoming Serve Day? [01:11:48]
4. How can you demonstrate your love for God through tangible actions this week? Identify one specific act of kindness or service you can perform for someone in need. [01:15:16]
5. Reflect on the story of the pastor's father and his journey of faith. How can you support someone in your life who is on their own journey of faith, especially through acts of service and love? [42:08]
6. During the upcoming Serve Day, what specific role or task do you feel called to participate in? How can you prepare your heart and mind to serve selflessly alongside others? [01:25:14]
7. Consider the importance of humility in serving others. How can you cultivate a humble heart in your daily interactions, especially with those who may be difficult to love? [01:23:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Our Hearts with God's Values
Praying for God's heart to be formed in us is a profound request. It means aligning our actions and desires with God's values, which often requires us to put others before ourselves and serve them selflessly. This alignment is crucial for living a life that truly reflects God's love and presence. When we seek to have the heart of God, we are asking for a transformation that goes beyond mere behavior modification; we are seeking a change in our very nature to reflect His love, compassion, and humility.
This transformation is not instantaneous but a continuous process of surrendering our will to God's will. It involves daily decisions to act in ways that honor God and serve others, even when it is inconvenient or challenging. By praying for God's heart, we are inviting Him to shape our character and guide our actions, making us more like Christ in our everyday lives. [54:29]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to align your heart more closely with God's values? How can you serve someone selflessly this week?
Day 2: Loving God and Loving Others
Jesus summarized the commandments into two inseparable and equally important directives: loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Our relationship with God is measured by how we treat others, making it impossible to claim love for God while neglecting or mistreating our fellow man. This dual commandment challenges us to evaluate our love for God through the lens of our interactions with others.
Loving God means that our actions and deeds reflect Him, and our lives become a testimony to His presence. It means putting others before ourselves and serving them. Jesus taught that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others, not in seeking titles or recognition. He modeled this through His life, culminating in washing His disciples' feet, including Judas's, who would betray Him. [01:01:47]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you may have neglected to show love to someone. How can you make amends and demonstrate God's love to that person today?
Day 3: True Greatness Through Service
In the Kingdom of God, greatness is not about titles or recognition but about serving others. Jesus modeled this by washing His disciples' feet and teaching that the greatest among us must be a servant. This principle challenges us to humble ourselves and prioritize the needs of others. True greatness is found in the humility and willingness to serve without expecting anything in return.
Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet was a powerful demonstration of servant leadership. It showed that no task is too lowly for those who follow Him. By serving others, we reflect the heart of Jesus and His love for humanity. This kind of service requires us to put aside our pride and ego, focusing instead on the well-being and needs of those around us. [01:11:48]
Mark 10:43-45 (ESV): "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who could use your help or support. How can you serve them in a way that reflects the humility and love of Jesus?
Day 4: Faith in Action
Our love for God must be actionable. It's not enough to profess love for God; we must demonstrate it through our actions, especially in how we serve and care for others. This is a tangible expression of our faith and a reflection of God's love in our lives. Faith without works is dead, and our actions are the evidence of our faith in God.
Putting faith into action means looking for opportunities to serve and make a difference in the lives of others. It involves being attentive to the needs around us and responding with compassion and generosity. By doing so, we become living testimonies of God's love and grace, drawing others to Him through our deeds. [01:15:16]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can put your faith into action today? How can you show God's love through your deeds?
Day 5: Serve Day as an Opportunity
The upcoming Serve Day is a practical application of these principles. By joining with other churches to serve our community, we have the chance to put our faith into action and show the love of Christ in tangible ways. This event is a reminder that our faith is not just about personal devotion but also about communal service and impact. Serve Day is an opportunity to live out the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Participating in Serve Day allows us to come together as a body of believers, united in our mission to serve and bless our community. It is a chance to demonstrate the love of Christ through acts of kindness, service, and generosity. As we prepare for this event, let us remember that our service is a reflection of our love for God and our commitment to His Kingdom. [01:25:14]
Galatians 5:13-14 (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. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and mind for Serve Day? What specific acts of service can you commit to that will make a meaningful impact in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The heart of God is to serve people. The heart of God is in serving others. Now I'm, I'm not sure if there's anything more in life that's more against the natural flow of the sin, sin nature that's on the inside of us. Okay, that selfish nature. Then when we put our desires on the back burner, the things that I want to do on the back seat and say, okay, Lord, not, not my will. I'm going to do what you need me to do today." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You cannot say that you love God and not love people. So the bigger question for us today is what does it mean to love God? What does it mean to love God? What does it mean to love God? To actually love people. What does that really mean? Now, remember, we're talking about what it means to get the heart of God into our life. What does it mean? How can I get the heart of the Father into me? How can I get his heart, how God thinks, the things that are the most important to him, how can I get that into my being?" (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The greatest among you must be a servant. Those who exalt themselves, will be humbled. And those who humble themselves will be exalted. Now, what did Jesus say in that passage? If you want to be great, yeah, you're going to have to really humble yourself. You're going to have to become nothing. You're going to have to become a servant. Matter of fact, if you humble yourself, Jesus said, I'll lift you up. In other words, the way up in God's kingdom is down." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and, okay, say it one more time, with actions and truth. How many of you know the love of God is an action? It's actionable. Like when you say you love God, but you're never in the house of God, you don't love God. You say you love God, but you don't love his people. No, don't tell me that. You love God, but you never make yourself vulnerable or you don't put yourself out for other people." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The health and the maturity of our relationship with God is measured by the health and maturity of our relationship with our fellow man. I want you to get that in you. The health and the maturity of our relationship with God is measured by the health and maturity of our relationship with God. In other words, I've got this vertical relationship with God. I say, I know God. I love Jesus. Hallelujah. I got a great relationship with him. That's only as true as how healthy and how right your relationships are with your fellow man." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I think for some of us, we've had time and time again, where Jesus will come to you and he will speak into your life. He'll do things for you. He'll witness to you. He'll testify to you the goodness of God. And you still turn your back on him. But in that moment, he was going through a real rough time. And my dad was head of a, you know, one of the top banks in the world. And he was at the bank that he was working at there in Indianapolis. And he was just out in the office parking lot and smoking a cigarette and stressed out. That's where he was." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I want your heart to be formed in me. Now that's a big prayer. When you say, Lord, I want your heart in me. I want your heart to be formed in me. That's a big prayer, okay? Because I don't think anybody can honestly sit before the Lord and pray, God, I need your heart without realizing that there is a mega difference between the heart of God and where our hearts are. How many know what I'm talking about? There's things that God values. There's things that God delights in. There's things that God, that moves the heart of God." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The reason why many people compartmentalize their faith in regard to what Jesus is trying to teach to us in that passage there in Matthew is because of the selfish need that we have sometimes to relieve ourselves of the outward responsibility that we have toward our fellow man. How many see that? Lord, I'm just going to love you today. I know there's a need over there, but I'm too busy loving you right now. Oh, Lord, I want to... I'm just here. Say what? You want me to do what? For who? No, I can't. I'm with Jesus right now." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Bible's very clear. We're to love God, and we're to love people. So how many of you are starting to see this a little bit? You're getting this, all right? You cannot say that you love God and not love people. So the bigger question for us today is what does it mean to love God? What does it mean to love God? What does it mean to love God? To actually love people. What does that really mean? Now, remember, we're talking about what it means to get the heart of God into our life. What does it mean? How can I get the heart of the Father into me?" (26 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He sent me to do what? To comfort the brokenhearted. And to do what? To proclaim that the captives will be released from their, and their prisoners will be freed. He sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come. Hallelujah. And with that, the day of anger against their enemies. And later, when Jesus stood among his disciples and defined greatness and being a leader in the kingdom of God, he couched his mission statement this way." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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