Embracing God's Love: Action, Prayer, and Redemption
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on Jesus as our King, focusing on His death, burial, and resurrection. We began by considering the love of God as emphasized in 1 John, where love is a central theme. John tells us that God's love is shown through Jesus, who was sent as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. This love calls us to love one another, making God's love complete in us.
We then transitioned to the Lord's Supper, remembering Christ's body and blood, and reflecting on the global body of Christ. We were reminded that true love for God is demonstrated through our love for our brothers and sisters. This led us to 1 John 3, which teaches that love is not just words but actions, especially in helping those in need.
We also discussed the importance of prayer and action within our church community. We should actively pray for each other and use our gifts to serve others, as demonstrated during our recent VBS. This service fosters deeper relationships and community bonds.
Our journey through the Book of Daniel continued, focusing on Daniel's prayer in chapter 9. Daniel's prayer is a model for us, emphasizing confession, humility, and reliance on God's consistency, reputation, and covenant. Daniel's prayer is deeply rooted in Scripture, showing his understanding of God's promises and his trust in God's plan.
Daniel's vision and Gabriel's message reveal that God's plan extends beyond immediate restoration to a complete solution to the problem of sin, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This reinforces that Jesus is central to God's plan for humanity, fulfilling the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Love is Central and Transformative: The letter of 1 John emphasizes that God's love is foundational to our faith. This love is not just a feeling but an action demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice. As recipients of this love, we are called to love one another, making God's love complete in us. This love should be evident in our daily interactions and actions. [12:51]
2. True Love is Demonstrated Through Action: 1 John 3 teaches that love is more than words; it is shown through our actions, especially in helping those in need. This challenges us to look beyond ourselves and actively seek ways to serve others, reflecting God's love in tangible ways. Our faith is made visible through our deeds. [17:49]
3. Prayer and Confession are Vital: Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 is a model of humility and confession. He acknowledges the sins of his people and himself, seeking God's mercy and intervention. This teaches us the importance of confessing our sins and relying on God's grace, rather than our own righteousness. [32:47]
4. God's Consistency and Faithfulness: Daniel's prayer highlights God's consistency and faithfulness. God has always kept His promises, whether in delivering Israel from Egypt or in punishing and restoring them. This consistency assures us that God will continue to be faithful in our lives, fulfilling His promises and plans. [54:07]
5. Jesus is the Fulfillment of God's Plan: Gabriel's message to Daniel points to a future complete solution to sin, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus' sacrifice addresses the problem of sin once and for all, bringing everlasting righteousness. This underscores that Jesus is central to God's redemptive plan, fulfilling the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. [01:00:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:51] - Reflecting on God's Love in 1 John
[13:32] - The Lord's Supper and Christ's Sacrifice
[14:14] - God's Love Made Complete in Us
[15:04] - Thankfulness for Jesus' Sacrifice
[16:01] - Loving Our Brothers and Sisters
[17:49] - Love in Action
[18:35] - The Importance of Prayer
[19:16] - Using Our Gifts to Serve Others
[19:56] - Blessings of Giving
[27:42] - VBS and Community Building
[29:55] - Daniel's Prayer in Chapter 9
[31:55] - Practical Lessons from Daniel's Prayer
[32:47] - Confession and Humility in Prayer
[54:07] - God's Consistency and Faithfulness
[01:00:38] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of God's Plan
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 4:7-12: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
2. 1 John 3:16-18: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
3. Daniel 9:4-19: "I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: 'Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 4:7-12, how is God's love demonstrated among us?
2. In 1 John 3:16-18, what is the evidence of true love according to John?
3. What are the key elements of Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9:4-19? [32:47]
4. How does Daniel describe the relationship between the people's sins and God's actions in Daniel 9:11-14? [49:43]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for God's love to be "made complete in us" as mentioned in 1 John 4:12?
2. How does 1 John 3:16-18 challenge the way we typically think about love and action in our daily lives?
3. Why is confession and humility important in Daniel's prayer, and how does it reflect his understanding of God's character? [32:47]
4. How does Daniel's reliance on God's consistency and faithfulness shape his prayer and expectations? [54:07]
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on 1 John 4:7-12, how can you actively demonstrate God's love in your interactions this week?
2. In what ways can you move from loving "with words or speech" to loving "with actions and in truth" as encouraged in 1 John 3:18? [17:49]
3. Daniel's prayer emphasizes confession and humility. How can you incorporate these elements into your own prayer life? [32:47]
4. Think about a time when you relied on God's faithfulness. How did that experience shape your trust in Him, and how can you apply that trust to a current situation? [54:07]
5. How can you use your gifts and talents to serve others in your community, as discussed in the sermon? [19:16]
6. Daniel's prayer was deeply rooted in Scripture. How can you use Scripture to guide your prayers and align them with God's will? [32:47]
7. Reflect on the idea that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's plan. How does this understanding impact your view of Jesus' role in your life and in the world? [01:00:38]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Love is Actionable and Transformative
God's love is not merely a feeling or an abstract concept; it is a transformative force that calls us to action. The letter of 1 John emphasizes that God's love is foundational to our faith, demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice. This love is meant to be lived out in our daily interactions, making God's love complete in us. As recipients of this divine love, we are called to love one another, reflecting God's love in tangible ways. This means that our faith should be evident not just in our words but in our actions, especially in how we treat others and meet their needs. [12:51]
1 John 4:9-11 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can show God's love to someone in your life today. What action can you take to make God's love tangible to them?
Day 2: Love in Action
True love is demonstrated through our actions, not just our words. 1 John 3 teaches that love is more than words; it is shown through our deeds, especially in helping those in need. This challenges us to look beyond ourselves and actively seek ways to serve others, reflecting God's love in practical, tangible ways. Our faith is made visible through our deeds, and this is how we make God's love complete in us. This means that we must be intentional in our efforts to help others, whether through acts of kindness, generosity, or service. [17:49]
1 John 3:17-18 (ESV): "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: Identify a specific need in your community or church. How can you meet that need this week in a way that reflects God's love?
Day 3: The Power of Prayer and Confession
Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 is a model of humility and confession. He acknowledges the sins of his people and himself, seeking God's mercy and intervention. This teaches us the importance of confessing our sins and relying on God's grace, rather than our own righteousness. Prayer and confession are vital components of our spiritual lives, helping us to maintain a humble and dependent relationship with God. By confessing our sins, we acknowledge our need for God's mercy and grace, and we open ourselves up to His transformative power. [32:47]
Daniel 9:4-5 (ESV): "I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, 'O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.'"
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on any unconfessed sins in your life. Spend time in prayer, confessing these sins to God and asking for His mercy and grace.
Day 4: Trusting in God's Consistency and Faithfulness
Daniel's prayer highlights God's consistency and faithfulness. God has always kept His promises, whether in delivering Israel from Egypt or in punishing and restoring them. This consistency assures us that God will continue to be faithful in our lives, fulfilling His promises and plans. Trusting in God's faithfulness means that we can rely on Him in all circumstances, knowing that He will never fail us. This trust is built on the foundation of God's unchanging nature and His steadfast love for us. [54:07]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can this memory strengthen your trust in Him today?
Day 5: Jesus as the Fulfillment of God's Plan
Gabriel's message to Daniel points to a future complete solution to sin, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus' sacrifice addresses the problem of sin once and for all, bringing everlasting righteousness. This underscores that Jesus is central to God's redemptive plan, fulfilling the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. Understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan helps us to see the bigger picture of God's work in the world and in our lives. It reminds us that our faith is rooted in the historical and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. [01:00:38]
Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV): "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan change the way you view your own life and purpose? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's redemptive plan?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God does amazing work when his people come together. They carry out his mission in the world. And so every year, VBS is just such a blessing when we get to see those kind of things happen again and again. And God's always working out his will in amazing ways. And he's working through his people. And sometimes those things happen in very unexpected ways. Like even in the midst of hardship, we might learn about good news coming and hope." [29:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We often want just a really easy path. And we take God's word out of context. And we make it mean, well, I'm never going to have trouble. God wants me to, yes, he does want you to be blessed. But he wants you to obey him. And when we don't, we face the consequences of that. So God's working multiple things here. And Daniel can see in Jeremiah that, yes, we deserve it. But yes, there's hope. There's hope on the end of the hardship." [40:18] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Daniel pours out his heart about the sin of Israel, and God says, I'm going to deal with that. I'm going to bring healing. I'm going to remove transgression. I'm going to deal with wickedness. I'm going to deal with the sin problem, and I'm going to establish everlasting righteousness. Friends who walk with Jesus Christ, who does that sound like? You've got to believe Jesus is a part of God's plan. That Jesus is the solution to the sin problem." [01:01:09] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The gospel is not something new that starts with your New Testament. It's something that God has had in the works all along. That when we look at Jesus, yes, he's the answer to the sin problem. Yes, he's the one who takes away our sin. But he's the answer to all of God's promises. For all of us. For all of history. All that humanity has been longing for from the beginning is answered in Jesus coming and being a sacrifice for us." [01:02:48] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Notice all the we and our and us language. much of our prayers are laden with that language versus the me and my and I language. You see, Daniel is a sinner. He confesses that. At the end of his prayer, he says, I'm confessing my sins and the sins of my people. But notice what it is here. It's not a me and God. It's a we and God. Daniel realizes that the problem is not the me and God. It is greater than himself." [43:50] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Daniel teaches us appropriately. We need to be concerned about how the body is doing. How are we doing before the Lord as a community? And as a community. They've got some. Big, big problems. As James would write in his letter. They need to confess their sins to each other. And pray for each other. So that God could bring healing to that event. We need to do the same thing, folks. We need to be involved in each other's lives. We need to work together with sin problems. Not just I, I, I." [44:49] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Daniel confesses, It's the Lord. Who's going to have to act here. There's no pick yourself up by your bootstraps, dust yourself off and get back to work in Daniel's prayer. Not one bit of it. If God doesn't hear and God doesn't see and God doesn't move, nothing's going to change. Do we live with that kind of attitude before the Lord?" [52:28] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Daniel had prayed that God would deal with Israel's sin, and Gabriel answers in verse 24, Oh, he will, but not merely in the coming return from exile. Beyond that, in about 500 years' time, God will act so decisively that he will bring about not just a temporary restoration of a still sinful people to their land, but a complete solution to the whole problem of sin itself." [01:00:03] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Daniel knows his scripture. And in this prayer, he starts quoting scripture. We're not going to look at all the sidelines. That would be fun for me. But that would take us forever. And we might get out at dinner time. So just know that Daniel is using language. Of Leviticus, of Deuteronomy, of the Psalms, of the Proverbs. As he's praying, he's using God's own word to ask God his desires. But watch how he does this. Because he doesn't start just by asking questions. He starts this prayer in a very different way than we usually pray." [41:43] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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