Embracing God's Love: A Call to Serve All

Devotional

Day 1: God's Love Reaches Everyone

God's love knows no bounds, reaching even the most unlikely individuals. The story of Pastor Chuck Smith and the Jesus Movement illustrates this beautifully. During a time of social upheaval, many young people, often labeled as "hippies," were searching for love and peace. Traditional church leaders found it difficult to understand or reach out to them. However, Pastor Chuck, challenged by his daughter Jeanette and a young Christian hippie named Lonnie, opened his heart and church to these seekers. This act of love and acceptance sparked a movement that brought many to Christ. We are called to extend God's love to everyone, regardless of their background or current state. This love is transformative and can spark movements that bring many to Christ. [05:56]

Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV): "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who seems far from God. How can you extend God's love to them today, regardless of their background or current state?

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Day 2: Humility and Servitude

Jesus washing His disciples' feet is a profound example of humility and servitude. This act challenges us to serve others selflessly, putting their needs before our own. Jesus, the Son of God, took on the role of a servant, demonstrating that true greatness comes from serving others. This act of humility is a call to embody the essence of Christ's love in our daily interactions. We are encouraged to show hospitality and kindness to all, following Jesus' example of putting others first. [17:00]

John 13:14-15 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Identify one person in your life whom you can serve selflessly today. What specific act of kindness or service can you offer them to reflect Christ's humility?

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Day 3: The Church as a Welcoming Place

The church must be a place where everyone feels welcome, especially those who feel like outcasts or are burdened by sin. Jesus came for the broken and the sinners, and we must follow His example by opening our doors and hearts to those in need of His love and grace. The church should be a sanctuary where people can find acceptance, love, and forgiveness. By creating a welcoming environment, we reflect the heart of Jesus and provide a space for transformation and healing. [22:32]

Romans 15:7 (ESV): "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

Reflection: Think about your church community. How can you contribute to making it a more welcoming place for those who feel like outcasts or are burdened by sin?

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Day 4: God's Grace is Sufficient

No matter what we have done or where we have been, God's grace is sufficient to cover all our sins. Ephesians 2:4 reminds us that it is by grace we are saved, not by our works. This grace is available to anyone who believes and calls on the name of the Lord. God's grace is a powerful force that can transform lives, offering forgiveness and a fresh start. We are reminded that we do not have to earn God's love; it is freely given to us through His grace. [27:14]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How can you embrace His grace today, knowing that it is sufficient to cover all your sins?

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Day 5: A Call to Action

We are called to be vessels of God's love and to believe that He can use us to bring about another great movement of faith. This involves loving others as Jesus did, investing in the next generation, and being willing to serve and guide them. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the love and humility of Christ. By opening our hearts and doors to those seeking Jesus, we can play a part in transforming lives and sparking a new movement of faith. [45:59]

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Reflection: Consider how you can invest in the next generation. What specific steps can you take to mentor, guide, or support young people in their faith journey?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the transformative power of God's love through the story of Pastor Greg Laurie and the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. This era, marked by social upheaval and a quest for meaning among the youth, saw many young people, often labeled as "hippies," searching for love and peace in ways that traditional church leaders found difficult to understand. Pastor Chuck Smith, initially skeptical, was challenged by his daughter Jeanette and a young Christian hippie named Lonnie to reconsider his approach to ministry. This led to a profound change in his heart and the opening of his church to these seekers, sparking a movement that brought many to Christ.

We reflected on the boundless reach of God's love, emphasizing that Jesus came not for the righteous but for the sinners, the broken, and the outcasts. This was illustrated through biblical stories such as Jesus' interaction with the tax collector and the woman at the well. Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet served as a powerful example of humility and servitude, challenging us to serve others with the same spirit of love and humility.

The message also addressed the importance of the church being a welcoming place for all, regardless of their past or present circumstances. We were reminded that God's grace is sufficient to cover all sins and that He is always ready to forgive and transform lives. The call to action was clear: to open our hearts and doors to those seeking Jesus, to love and serve others as Jesus did, and to believe that God can use us to bring about another great movement of faith.

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Key Takeaways

1. God's Love Knows No Bounds: The story of Pastor Chuck Smith and the Jesus Movement illustrates that God's love reaches even the most unlikely individuals. Just as Pastor Chuck opened his heart to the hippies, we are called to extend God's love to everyone, regardless of their background or current state. This love is transformative and can spark movements that bring many to Christ. [05:56]
2. Humility and Servitude: Jesus washing His disciples' feet is a profound example of humility and servitude. This act challenges us to serve others selflessly, putting their needs before our own. It is a call to embody the essence of Christ's love in our daily interactions, showing hospitality and kindness to all. [17:00]
3. The Church as a Welcoming Place: The church must be a place where everyone feels welcome, especially those who feel like outcasts or are burdened by sin. Jesus came for the broken and the sinners, and we must follow His example by opening our doors and hearts to those in need of His love and grace. [22:32]
4. God's Grace is Sufficient: No matter what we have done or where we have been, God's grace is sufficient to cover all our sins. Ephesians 2:4 reminds us that it is by grace we are saved, not by our works. This grace is available to anyone who believes and calls on the name of the Lord. [27:14]
5. A Call to Action: We are called to be vessels of God's love and to believe that He can use us to bring about another great movement of faith. This involves loving others as Jesus did, investing in the next generation, and being willing to serve and guide them. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the love and humility of Christ. [45:59]
### [45:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:17] - The Hippie Movement and Pastor Chuck Smith
[05:56] - Pastor Chuck's Challenge and Transformation
[08:31] - Romans 10:14 and the Call to Ministry
[13:31] - Jesus' Love for the Broken
[16:16] - The Humility of Jesus
[22:32] - The Church as a Place of Welcome
[27:14] - The Sufficiency of God's Grace
[30:58] - God's Open Door
[34:54] - God's Transformative Power
[39:53] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[45:59] - Investing in the Next Generation
[49:17] - Final Worship and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the initial reaction of Pastor Chuck Smith towards the hippies, and what changed his perspective? ([05:56])
How did Jesus demonstrate humility and servitude in John 13, and why was this significant? ([16:16])
According to Romans 10:14, what are the steps necessary for someone to come to faith in Jesus?
What does Ephesians 2:4-5 say about the nature of God's grace and mercy?

Interpretation Questions

How did Pastor Chuck Smith's change of heart towards the hippies reflect the boundless reach of God's love? ([05:56])
In what ways does Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet challenge our modern understanding of leadership and service? ([16:16])
How does the story of the tax collector in Luke 5:30 illustrate Jesus' mission to reach the broken and the sinners? ([14:18])
What does it mean for the church to be a welcoming place for all, and how can this be practically implemented in today's context? ([22:32])

Application Questions

Pastor Chuck Smith initially struggled to understand the hippies. Have you ever struggled to understand or accept a particular group of people? How did you overcome it, or how can you start to overcome it? ([05:56])
Jesus washing His disciples' feet is a powerful example of humility. What is one practical way you can serve someone in your life this week with the same spirit of humility? ([16:16])
The sermon emphasized that the church should be a welcoming place for everyone. What steps can you take to make your small group or church more welcoming to newcomers or those who feel like outcasts? ([22:32])
Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How did you experience His forgiveness and transformation? How can you share that experience with someone who might be feeling the same way? ([27:14])
The sermon called us to be vessels of God's love and to believe in another great movement of faith. What specific actions can you take to invest in the next generation and guide them in their faith journey? ([45:59])
Think about a person in your life who is searching for meaning or struggling with their faith. How can you reach out to them and share the love of Jesus in a tangible way this week? ([08:31])
The sermon mentioned the importance of loving others as Jesus did, even those who think differently than us. How can you show love and kindness to someone with whom you have significant differences? ([47:04])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "This is the church of Jesus Christ demonstrated. This is the gospel. The story of a God who loved us so much that he sent his only son, not for the righteous, but for the sinner, not for the healthy, but for the sick. So in the same way, if you feel like an outcast today, if you're caught up in something and stuck in sin, if you feel less than worthy, if you're broken, you will find forgiveness you will find freedom right here. This is your home." [22:32] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Guys, are you weary? Are you burdened? Are you bruised? Are you hurting? Jesus says, Come. Come just the way you are. He will give you life. He's inviting you to come. And that same voice that's inviting you to come invited Greg Laurie to come. And maybe like you, he made the decision that would change his life forever. Guys, it doesn't matter what you've done or where you've been. God's grace is big enough to cover whatever that may be." [23:44] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Wherever you find yourself in life, Jesus is here. And his door is open. His door is open to you today. So just as God opened a door for Pastor Chuck, and just as God opened the door for Greg Laurie, in the same way, God's always got another door to open for you. Guys, right now God is saying, come. Come just as you are. And he will take your life, whatever it looks like right now, and he will transform it into something beyond your wildest dreams. He wants to come. He wants to bring life." [34:54] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God loves you. He's not going to give up on you. Guys, I don't know about you, but my prayer is this. Just as this great movement broke out in the 1960s, 1970s, believe it for it again. prayer is, God, use us. Use us to turn all the branch upside down, to turn the Mid-South upside down. Use us as your vessels to turn all eyes in this world to Jesus so that everybody sees the hope that he provides. believe the best is yet to come." [35:29] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Guys, we've got to love our neighbors as ourselves. But you've got to follow the example of Jesus. Going and eating with tax collectors and dirty, filthy sinners and scum. there's a thousand reasons for Christians to be a bad example today. Dear Lord, have we got elections coming up. What if we actually love the people who think differently than us? Instead of trying to argue with them. What if we love them and we showed them Jesus? Instead of trying to make a point with all of our social media posts. What if instead they all pointed to Jesus? And we let God work things out with them." [47:04] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Moved by Lonnie's sincerity and the truth of Scripture, we know that Pastor Chuck goes on to begin to say, and opening up his home and his heart to this unlikely group of seekers. And so what started with a small gesture of hospitality soon flourished into a movement. As these young people, hungry for truth and hungry for love, began to quickly find their way to Jesus. Chuck begins to develop this deep love for those who Jesus came to save. Right? And we see in the New Testament that Jesus reached out to the most broken and sinful of people." [13:31] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus was embodying the essence of servitude and humility. And he was illustrating a level of humility that was totally unexpected, especially for somebody they expected to be a revolutionary leader like him. This act of humility and service was not just for the disciples. It was an example for all believers to emulate in their relationships with others. It challenges followers of Christ to consider how we might serve those around us, putting the needs of others before ourselves and doing so with a spirit of love and humility that reflects the very character of our Savior." [17:00] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Back to Pastor Chuck's daughter, Jeanette, for a moment. She had started to lose confidence in the faith. She had started to lose confidence in the church and her faith in God. But God was still working on her. God was still tugging at her, helping her to rebuild her faith. And I promise you, just like God hadn't given up on her, God hasn't given up on you. He's still working in your life, drawing you closer to him. And he wants to embrace you if you'll allow him to." [28:27] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Guys, the older we get, I'm convinced the more and more responsibility we have for the next generation. If you're not investing in somebody else, somebody that's younger than you, I would encourage you to seek God. Because I believe He's got a plan that you need to jump into and you need to fulfill. Guys, we've got to love our neighbors as ourselves. But you've got to follow the example of Jesus. Going and eating with tax collectors and dirty, filthy sinners and scum." [45:59] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you need healing in your body, he's the healer. If your emotions are out of whack and you've been through the ringer, he's the one who is ready to restore you right here, right now. Whatever it is you're walking through, if you need financial breakthrough, he is your source. Everything you need. Everything you need is found in him. So as we sing this last song, I just ask you to just surrender to whatever the Holy Spirit has for you for the next two, three minutes before we close. Just ask him, say, Holy Spirit, what are you speaking to me right now?" [49:17] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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