Embracing God's Love: A Call to Action
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound truth that God's love is the foundation of our faith and the catalyst for our actions as believers. We began by acknowledging the holiness of God and the supremacy of His name over all things, including our fears and anxieties. We celebrated the installation of a new elder, Mark Merriman, whose story of faithfulness and service is a testament to the work of God in our community.
We then shifted our attention to the mission of the church, highlighting our upcoming "Do Good Friday" event, which is an opportunity for us to serve our community and reflect on Jesus' sacrifice for us. This event is designed to reach out to those who may feel forgotten or marginalized, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and loved.
As we delved into the Word, we explored the book of 1 John, emphasizing the need to test the spirits and discern truth from deception. We were reminded that the Holy Spirit always glorifies Jesus and that any spirit that denies the incarnation of Christ is not from God. We were encouraged by the assurance that the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.
The sermon culminated with a call to love others as a reflection of God's love for us. We were challenged to let God's perfect love cast out fear and to love others not just with words, but through sacrificial actions, just as Christ loved us. We were reminded that love is not just a characteristic of God but the defining attribute from which all His actions flow.
Key Takeaways:
- The true test of any spirit or teaching is whether it glorifies Jesus Christ and affirms His incarnation. The Holy Spirit will always point us to the truth of Jesus, and we must be vigilant against teachings that deviate from the Gospel. [01:03:01]
- Our love for others is a direct reflection of our understanding and acceptance of God's love for us. When we love others, God's love is perfected in us, and this love becomes the evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. [01:29:25]
- The act of loving others is not optional but a command from God. It is through loving others that we demonstrate our love for God. If we struggle to love others, it may indicate a need to deepen our love and relationship with God. [01:39:13]
- The power to love others does not come from our own strength but from the transformative work of Jesus on the cross. When we feel unable to love, we must turn to God to soften our hearts and empower us to love as He does. [01:41:01]
- As believers, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ's love to the world. This means actively participating in the mission of the church, reaching out to those who have not heard the Gospel, and living out the love of Christ in tangible ways. [01:33:15]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 4:1-21 - This passage emphasizes testing the spirits, the incarnation of Christ, and the command to love one another as a reflection of God's love for us.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 John 4:1-3 say about testing the spirits and identifying false prophets?
2. According to 1 John 4:9-10, how did God demonstrate His love for us?
3. What does 1 John 4:18 mean when it says, "perfect love casts out fear"?
4. How does 1 John 4:20-21 describe the relationship between loving God and loving others?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to test the spirits according to 1 John 4:1-3? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on discerning truth from deception? [01:03:01]
2. How does the incarnation of Christ serve as a test for true and false spirits, as mentioned in 1 John 4:2-3? Why is this significant for our faith?
3. In what ways does the assurance that "the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4) provide comfort and confidence to believers? [01:10:08]
4. How does the command to love others in 1 John 4:20-21 challenge our understanding of what it means to love God? How does this align with the sermon’s call to love through sacrificial actions? [01:39:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching or belief that did not glorify Jesus. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to better test the spirits in the future? [01:03:01]
2. The sermon mentioned that our love for others is a direct reflection of our understanding and acceptance of God's love for us. How can you deepen your understanding of God's love this week, and how might that impact your interactions with others? [01:29:25]
3. Consider the upcoming "Do Good Friday" event. How can participating in this event help you live out the command to love others sacrificially? What specific actions can you take to serve those who feel forgotten or marginalized? [49:33]
4. The sermon highlighted that the power to love others comes from the transformative work of Jesus on the cross. When you feel unable to love, what practical steps can you take to turn to God for strength and guidance? [01:41:01]
5. Think about someone in your life who is difficult to love. What specific actions can you take this week to show them love, even if it requires sacrifice on your part? How can you rely on God's strength to help you in this? [01:39:13]
6. The sermon emphasized that love is not optional but a command from God. How can you make loving others a more intentional part of your daily routine? What changes might you need to make in your attitude or behavior to align with this command? [01:39:13]
7. Reflect on the statement, "As believers, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ's love to the world." How can you actively participate in the mission of the church and share the love of Christ in your community this week? [01:33:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Discerning the Spirit's Truth
The ability to discern the truth is a critical aspect of a believer's life. It is essential to understand that the Holy Spirit's role is to guide us into all truth, particularly the truth about Jesus Christ. The Spirit affirms the incarnation of Christ and glorifies Him in all things. Believers are called to test every spirit and teaching against this standard. The presence of the Holy Spirit in one's life is marked by a steadfast focus on Jesus and His Gospel. Any teaching or spirit that deviates from the truth of Jesus' incarnation and His work on the cross must be recognized as false and not from God. This discernment is not just for the protection of one's own faith but also for the health and unity of the church body as a whole. [01:03:01]
1 John 4:2-3 (ESV)
"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."
Reflection: How can you practice discerning the spirits in your daily intake of media, conversations, and teachings?
Day 2: Love Perfected in Us
Understanding and accepting God's love is transformative. It is not enough to merely speak of love; it must be demonstrated through actions that reflect the sacrificial nature of Christ's love for us. When love is put into action, it is perfected and becomes a clear indicator of the Holy Spirit's presence within us. This love is not passive; it actively seeks to serve and uplift others, mirroring the love that God has shown to each believer. It is a love that goes beyond feelings and is characterized by selfless giving and serving. [01:29:25]
1 John 3:18 (ESV)
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can show God's love through action in your community this week?
Day 3: Commanded to Love
Loving others is not an optional part of the Christian life; it is a direct command from God. This command serves as a litmus test for our love for God. Struggles with loving others often reveal areas in our own hearts that need to be surrendered to God's transformative love. The depth of our relationship with God is reflected in our ability to love those around us, even when it is challenging. This love is a hallmark of true discipleship and a witness to the world of God's presence in our lives. [01:39:13]
1 John 4:21 (ESV)
"And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Is there someone you find difficult to love, and what step can you take today to show them Christ-like love?
Day 4: Empowered to Love by the Cross
The power to love others does not originate from within ourselves but is a gift that flows from the cross of Christ. It is through Jesus' transformative work that believers are empowered to love in ways that surpass human ability. When faced with the challenge of loving those who may seem unlovable, it is crucial to turn to God and ask Him to soften our hearts. By relying on His strength, we can extend grace and love to others, just as we have received from Him. [01:41:01]
Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV)
"So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you rely on Christ's strength to show love to someone who challenges you?
Day 5: Ambassadors of Christ's Love
As believers, we are called to be active participants in the mission of the church, embodying Christ's love to the world. This involves reaching out to those who have not heard the Gospel and expressing the love of Christ in tangible, practical ways. Being an ambassador of Christ's love means stepping out in faith to serve, give, and share the hope that is found in Jesus. It is through these actions that the church can truly reflect the heart of God to a world in need. [01:33:15]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can be an ambassador of Christ's love in your workplace or neighborhood this week?
Quotes
1) "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God for many false prophets have gone out into the world. So guys, the fact is that people are finding spirituality through so many things these days... But the Bible doesn't tell us to just dive in. The Bible tells us to test." [01:03:01]
2) "Little children, you are from God and you've overcome them. For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world... Greater is he that is in you than he that is in this world. Which means if you have Jesus inside of you, you have nothing to fear because Jesus and the power of his resurrection lives inside of your body." [01:11:05]
3) "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one's ever seen God, but if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. Hey, if you're taking notes, write this down. Love becomes perfected when we love others." [01:29:25]
4) "God is love. And whoever abides in love abides in God and God abides in him. Hey, if you're taking notes, write this down. Love is the evidence that we have the spirit. You cannot be controlled by the Holy Spirit and act unloving at the same time." [01:31:11]
5) "God sent Jesus to die for the whole world. Does not matter the country you're from, does not matter your background... God sent Jesus to die for everybody. So listen, if Jesus died for the whole world, then we are compelled by his love to go to the world with the gospel." [01:33:15]
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