Embracing God's Love: Being 'For the Bay'
Summary
Good morning, Menlo Church! It's a joy to be with you today as we embark on our new series, "For the Bay." This isn't just a catchy title; it's a call to action for those who follow Jesus to partner with God in His work of redemption and healing in our communities. Being "For the Bay" means looking into our own neighborhoods and cities to see where we can be agents of God's love and grace.
Today, we explored the concept of mnemonic devices, which are tools that help us remember information. Just as brands use catchy jingles to convey their promises, God uses the gospel as His "jingle" to communicate His love and grace to humanity. The gospel is a message for everyone, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. It's a call to love our neighbors as ourselves, a theme beautifully illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
In this parable, Jesus challenges us to redefine who our neighbors are. The Samaritan, considered an enemy by the Jews, shows compassion and mercy, embodying the love that God calls us to extend to all people. This story is not just about being a good neighbor; it's about recognizing Jesus as the ultimate Good Samaritan who crossed the boundaries of eternity to show us love and grace.
We are called to break down the fences that separate us from others and extend grace beyond our comfort zones. This means loving those who are different from us culturally, socially, or politically. It means being active participants in spreading God's boundless love and becoming agents of His inclusive grace.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the intimate invitation Jesus extends to us. Communion is a sacred meal where we are invited to fellowship with Him, symbolizing His body broken and His blood shed for us. It's a call to be good neighbors, to invite others to the table, and to embrace the message of love that Jesus embodies.
Let's commit to being "For the Bay" by being for our neighbors, breaking down barriers, and inviting others to experience the divine blessing of God's love.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Gospel as God's Mnemonic Device: Just as brands use jingles to convey their promises, the gospel is God's way of communicating His love and grace to humanity. It's a message for everyone, inviting us to experience His divine love and forgiveness. [32:03]
2. Redefining Our Neighbors: The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to expand our understanding of who our neighbors are. Jesus calls us to love beyond cultural, social, and political boundaries, extending grace to all people. [43:31]
3. Breaking Down Fences: Like Wilson from "Home Improvement," we often have fences that block us from truly seeing others. We are called to break down these barriers and extend grace beyond our comfort zones, fulfilling the law of love. [46:25]
4. Communion as an Invitation: Communion is a sacred meal where Jesus invites us to fellowship with Him. It's a reminder of His love and sacrifice, calling us to be good neighbors and invite others to experience His grace. [54:48]
5. Active Participants in God's Love: We are called to be active participants in spreading God's love, breaking societal norms, and becoming agents of His inclusive grace. This means loving those who oppose us and extending empathy to all. [52:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [26:20] - Introduction to "For the Bay"
- [29:06] - The Power of Mnemonic Devices
- [30:12] - Brand Promises and the Gospel
- [32:03] - The Gospel as God's Jingle
- [34:16] - The Good Samaritan Parable
- [36:41] - The Shema and Loving Your Neighbor
- [38:10] - The Samaritan's Compassion
- [39:47] - Listening and Doing
- [41:28] - Jesus as the Ultimate Samaritan
- [43:31] - Redefining Our Neighbors
- [45:09] - Lessons from "Home Improvement"
- [46:25] - Breaking Down Fences
- [47:43] - Expansive Love and Grace
- [49:51] - Bearing One Another's Burdens
- [52:19] - Building Bridges with Faith
- [54:48] - Communion: An Invitation to Fellowship
- [57:11] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "For the Bay"
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 10:25-37 (Parable of the Good Samaritan)
- Romans 13:8-10 (Love fulfills the law)
- Galatians 6:2 (Bear one another's burdens)
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#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, what actions did the Samaritan take that demonstrated compassion and mercy? [38:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the gospel as God's "mnemonic device"? What is its purpose? [32:03]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the barriers or "fences" we build in our lives? How do these affect our relationships with others? [46:25]
4. How is communion described in the sermon, and what does it symbolize in terms of community and fellowship? [54:48]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the parable of the Good Samaritan teach about the nature of true neighborly love, and how does it challenge societal norms? [41:28]
2. How does the sermon interpret Jesus as the ultimate Good Samaritan, and what implications does this have for understanding His role in our lives? [41:28]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love fulfills the law, and how does this relate to the concept of breaking down barriers? [46:25]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to redefine who their neighbors are, and what challenges might arise from this redefinition? [43:31]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt separated from others by a "fence" of your own making. What steps can you take to break down that barrier and extend grace? [46:25]
2. Consider the people in your life who are different from you culturally, socially, or politically. How can you actively show them love and compassion this week? [43:31]
3. Communion is described as an invitation to fellowship. How can you invite others into your life to experience this kind of community and love? [54:48]
4. The sermon calls us to be active participants in spreading God's love. Identify one specific action you can take this week to embody this call in your community. [52:19]
5. Think about a person you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take to show them kindness and empathy, following the example of the Good Samaritan? [41:28]
6. How can you incorporate the gospel as a "mnemonic device" in your daily life to remind yourself of God's love and grace? [32:03]
7. Reflect on the concept of bearing one another's burdens. How can you support someone in your community who is struggling, and what resources can you offer? [49:51]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gospel as a Divine Reminder
The gospel serves as God's mnemonic device, a powerful reminder of His love and grace for humanity. Just as brands use jingles to convey their promises, the gospel communicates God's unwavering commitment to us. It is a message that transcends time and culture, inviting everyone to experience divine love and forgiveness. This invitation is not limited to those who are already on a spiritual journey but extends to all, regardless of where they stand. The gospel calls us to embrace this love and share it with others, becoming living testimonies of God's grace. [32:03]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you embody the gospel's message of love and grace in your interactions today, especially with those who may not share your beliefs?
Day 2: Expanding the Definition of Neighbor
The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to redefine who our neighbors are. In a world often divided by cultural, social, and political boundaries, Jesus calls us to extend love and grace to all people. The Samaritan, once considered an enemy, becomes a model of compassion and mercy. This story invites us to look beyond our preconceived notions and biases, recognizing that everyone is deserving of love and kindness. By doing so, we reflect the inclusive nature of God's love, which knows no boundaries. [43:31]
"And he answered, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.' And he said to him, 'You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.'" (Luke 10:27-28, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life have you overlooked as a neighbor? How can you take a step today to show them love and kindness?
Day 3: Breaking Down Barriers
We often build fences that prevent us from truly seeing and loving others. These barriers can be cultural, social, or personal, and they hinder us from fulfilling the law of love. Like Wilson from "Home Improvement," we may find comfort in these fences, but God calls us to break them down. By extending grace beyond our comfort zones, we become agents of God's love, reaching out to those who are different from us. This act of breaking down barriers is a testament to the transformative power of God's love in our lives. [46:25]
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: What personal barriers have you built that prevent you from loving others fully? How can you begin to dismantle them today?
Day 4: Communion as a Sacred Invitation
Communion is more than a ritual; it is an intimate invitation to fellowship with Jesus. This sacred meal symbolizes His body broken and His blood shed for us, reminding us of His love and sacrifice. As we partake in communion, we are called to be good neighbors, inviting others to experience the grace and love that Jesus embodies. It is a moment to reflect on our relationship with God and others, committing to live out the message of love and inclusion that Jesus taught. [54:48]
"So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment." (1 Corinthians 11:33-34, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use the act of communion as a reminder to invite others into your life and share the love of Christ with them?
Day 5: Active Participation in God's Love
We are called to be active participants in spreading God's love, breaking societal norms, and becoming agents of His inclusive grace. This means loving those who oppose us and extending empathy to all. By doing so, we reflect the heart of God, who loves unconditionally and without reservation. Our actions and attitudes should mirror this divine love, challenging us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with the world around us in meaningful ways. [52:19]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in spreading God's love today, especially to those who may be difficult to love?
Quotes
1. "We are in a brand new sermon series called For the Bay. Now, I just want you all to know, like, it's not like a branding thing. It's not like, hey, let's join us in our new sermon series. Like, this is legitimately one of the most important things that we can talk about. Because if you call yourself a follower of Jesus, it actually means for you being For the Bay means that you are following and partnering with God. And His work of redeeming all of creation, to seeing the brokenness healed, to seeing people who are disenfranchised connected to God, and connected to one another, and connected to community." ([00:25:35] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "Marketing and branding experts use this method to create an emotional and psychological response to what's called a brand promise. So, for example, if you went to Starbucks and you wanted to get your, you know, your pumpkin spice latte, hashtag PSL, and you went in there and you ordered it and then they gave you a tire, you'd be like, what is this? They're like, this is the tire that you, you know, I ordered a pumpkin spice latte. You see, that would be called what's happening when you don't get a brand promise. Or when you go to that one restaurant that you just love it so much and then when you taste your favorite dish, for some reason, that joints off." ([00:30:44] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "The good news or the gospel is actually the jingle, the mnemonic device of God to communicate to you and I his love, his grace, and his divine understanding of intent for all humanity. That the love and grace of God is for all people. And if you've never heard this jingle, the tune of this jingle of God's mnemonic device sounds a little something like this. These are the verses of God's true jingle to you and I, for us to remember in our hearts and in our minds. This is a message for all." ([00:32:25] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "But friends, the good news that I have for you today is that our failures are not final because God's forgiveness is always faithful. Amen. Amen. In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows us our neighbor and how we are to be good neighbors. As we look into this parable and understand, we can actually see how we can embody true neighborly love to be a neighbor of mercy, grace, and justice to others." ([00:35:13] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "You see, God calls for us to listen to his instruction and then do. That's why we have in the scripture of believing or faith and then also works. You see, they're not disconnected. They're actually joined together. So this expert in the law knows exactly what he is to do. He asked Jesus, what must I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus shows him in the law. How do you read it? You see, the expert answers rightly." ([00:40:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Jesus tells the story of a man attacked by robbers and left half dead. And the priest and the Levi, they actually pass by him without helping. The Samaritan, the one who was considered an enemy in this text, the enemy of the Jews stopped to help this man. Now, one of the things we need to understand that, yes, this story is a story where we can learn how to be good neighbors. But what we need to understand." ([00:41:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "The Samaritan shows compassion. He's the one who bandages the man's wound, and takes him to the end, and cares for him. The question is, friend, that we have to ask ourselves, are we willing to redefine who our neighbor is by God's standards, or will we keep them as our own? You see, can we love those? Can we see those who are different than us culturally, socially, or politically as deserving of our compassion, or even deserving of God's compassion?" ([00:43:11] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "The Samaritan becomes the agent of God's inclusive love, bringing societal, I mean, breaking societal expectations and norms. Friends, are we building walls or are we building bridges with our faith? Do we use our beliefs to separate ourselves from others or do we use it to connect with others? Let's choose to be active participants in spreading God's boundless love. This is what it means to be a good neighbor." ([00:52:40] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "Jesus crossed through the fence of eternity and he shows us his face. Jesus says, anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. He shows us this is who I am. He shows us God by stepping down into our world, breaking down the barriers between humanity and the divine. Jesus destroys the fence that separates us from his eternal love." ([00:53:20] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "Communion is something that represents that we don't eat with our enemies, but yet Jesus calls us to partake of a table called communion, to fellowship with us. We typically reserve tables in our homes and eat with only people that we like. We don't eat with our enemies. It's one of the most intimate spaces. But we as a church are able to go partake of this meal. And today, friends, you are all going to be partakers of this meal." ([00:55:08] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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