Embracing Love: The Heart of Our Mission
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound connection between emotional health and mission, emphasizing that these two aspects are not mutually exclusive but rather deeply intertwined. In our fast-paced, achievement-oriented culture, especially in a city like New York, there's a tendency to prioritize mission and success over emotional health and love. However, the scriptures remind us that both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment are essential. We are called to make disciples and to love God and others, embodying both mission and morale.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, underscores the centrality of love. He argues that without love, all achievements, spiritual gifts, and acts of service are meaningless. This is a powerful reminder that love is the core of the Christian faith. Despite the church's reputation for hypocrisy and judgmentalism, Jesus calls us to be known for our love. This love is not just a feeling but a series of actions and attitudes: patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness.
We also reflected on a story of a pastor whose church grew rapidly but eventually collapsed due to a lack of love and abusive leadership. This serves as a cautionary tale that success without love is hollow. Paul provides a clear definition of love, inviting us to replace the word "love" with our own names to assess how we embody these virtues.
In a world that often values competitiveness driven by anger and fear, we are invited to embrace a different kind of competitiveness—one driven by joy and love, as exemplified by athletes like Steph Curry. This joyful competitiveness aligns with the Christian ethic of love, which is rooted in the love of God. The foundation of our ability to love others is experiencing God's love for us, a love that is sacrificial and unconditional.
Ultimately, the invitation is to find our deepest security and identity in God's love, which quiets our fears and anxieties. This love transforms us, enabling us to live out the supernatural ethic of love that Paul describes. We are most like Christ when we are in love, and this love empowers us to fulfill our mission with joy and compassion.
Key Takeaways:
1. Interconnection of Health and Mission: Emotional health and mission are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of a Christian life. The Great Commission and the Great Commandment both call us to action and love, reminding us that our mission should be fueled by love and compassion. [05:07]
2. Centrality of Love: Without love, all achievements and spiritual gifts are meaningless. Love is the core of the Christian faith, and it is defined by patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. This challenges us to assess how we embody these virtues in our daily lives. [07:29]
3. Cautionary Tale of Success Without Love: The story of a pastor whose church collapsed due to a lack of love serves as a warning that success without love is hollow. True success in the Christian life is measured by how well we love others. [09:55]
4. Joyful Competitiveness: In a world that often values competitiveness driven by anger and fear, we are invited to embrace a different kind of competitiveness—one driven by joy and love. This aligns with the Christian ethic of love and transforms how we approach our mission. [25:52]
5. Rooted in God's Love: Our ability to love others is rooted in experiencing God's love for us. This love is sacrificial and unconditional, transforming us and enabling us to live out the supernatural ethic of love that Paul describes. [27:27]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to Emotionally Healthy Mission
[01:45] - The Great Commission and Great Commandment
[03:15] - Progress and Joy in the Early Church
[05:07] - The Centrality of Love
[07:29] - Church's Reputation and Call to Love
[08:46] - Story of a Pastor's Downfall
[11:21] - Defining Love According to Paul
[13:32] - Personal Reflection on Love
[14:41] - Navigating Anxieties and Love
[17:06] - Sabbath and Personal Story
[19:34] - Inventory of the Heart
[21:56] - Love in a Competitive World
[24:02] - Michael Jordan vs. Steph Curry
[25:52] - Joyful Competitiveness
[27:27] - Rooted in God's Love
[29:28] - Experiencing Transformative Love
[32:39] - Invitation to Know God's Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
2. 1 John 4:7-10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, what does Paul say about the value of spiritual gifts and achievements without love? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on love being central to the Christian faith? [05:07]
2. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul provides a definition of love. What are some of the characteristics of love mentioned in these verses, and how do they challenge common perceptions of love? [11:21]
3. How does the story of the pastor whose church collapsed illustrate the sermon’s point about success without love being hollow? [09:55]
4. What does 1 John 4:7-10 say about the source of love and how it is demonstrated through Jesus? How does this passage support the sermon’s message about being rooted in God's love? [27:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize that love is more important than spiritual gifts or achievements? How might this perspective change the way one approaches their personal mission or goals? [05:07]
2. How can the characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 be applied in a competitive environment like New York City? What might be the challenges and benefits of doing so? [21:56]
3. Reflecting on the pastor’s story, what lessons can be learned about the importance of embodying love in leadership and community settings? [09:55]
4. How does understanding God’s love as described in 1 John 4:7-10 provide a foundation for living out the Christian ethic of love? What role does experiencing God’s love play in transforming personal relationships and community dynamics? [27:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Think of a time when you prioritized achievements or success over love and relationships. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [05:07]
2. Identify one characteristic of love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 that you find challenging. What specific steps can you take this week to cultivate this aspect of love in your interactions with others? [11:21]
3. Reflect on the story of the pastor whose church collapsed. Are there areas in your life where you might be neglecting love in pursuit of success? How can you address this imbalance? [09:55]
4. In what ways can you practice joyful competitiveness, as exemplified by Steph Curry, in your personal or professional life? How can this approach align with the Christian ethic of love? [25:52]
5. How can you create a daily practice of experiencing and reflecting on God’s love to transform your fears and anxieties? What specific actions can you take to remind yourself of God’s sacrificial and unconditional love? [27:27]
6. Consider a relationship in your life that could benefit from more love and compassion. What is one practical way you can demonstrate love to this person in the coming week? [29:28]
7. Reflect on the statement, "We are most like Christ when we are in love." How can you intentionally cultivate a loving attitude in your daily life, and what impact do you hope this will have on your relationships and community? [29:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Emotional Health Fuels Mission
Emotional health and mission are deeply interconnected, not opposing forces. In a culture that often prioritizes achievement and success, especially in fast-paced environments like New York City, it's easy to overlook the importance of emotional well-being. However, both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment call us to action and love, reminding us that our mission should be fueled by love and compassion. This means that our emotional health is not just a personal concern but a vital part of our spiritual mission. When we are emotionally healthy, we are better equipped to love others and fulfill our mission with authenticity and joy. [05:07]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize your emotional health this week to better serve others in love and compassion?
Day 2: Love as the Core of Faith
Love is central to the Christian faith, and without it, all achievements and spiritual gifts are meaningless. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that love is defined by patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. This challenges us to assess how we embody these virtues in our daily lives. Love is not just a feeling but a series of actions and attitudes that reflect the heart of Christ. In a world where the church is often seen as hypocritical or judgmental, we are called to be known for our love, which is the true measure of our faith. [07:29]
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally practice patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness in your interactions today?
Day 3: The Hollow Nature of Success Without Love
The story of a pastor whose church grew rapidly but eventually collapsed due to a lack of love and abusive leadership serves as a cautionary tale. Success without love is hollow and ultimately unsustainable. True success in the Christian life is measured by how well we love others, not by the size of our achievements or the recognition we receive. This story reminds us that leadership and influence must be grounded in love and integrity to have lasting impact. [09:55]
"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you are pursuing success. How can you ensure that love is at the center of your efforts?
Day 4: Joyful Competitiveness
In a world that often values competitiveness driven by anger and fear, we are invited to embrace a different kind of competitiveness—one driven by joy and love. This aligns with the Christian ethic of love and transforms how we approach our mission. Athletes like Steph Curry exemplify this joyful competitiveness, which is rooted in the love of God. By embracing this mindset, we can approach our goals with a spirit of joy and collaboration rather than rivalry and hostility. [25:52]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective from competitive rivalry to joyful collaboration in your work or personal life?
Day 5: Rooted in God's Love
Our ability to love others is rooted in experiencing God's love for us. This love is sacrificial and unconditional, transforming us and enabling us to live out the supernatural ethic of love that Paul describes. When we find our deepest security and identity in God's love, it quiets our fears and anxieties, empowering us to fulfill our mission with joy and compassion. We are most like Christ when we are in love, and this love is the foundation of our spiritual journey. [27:27]
"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you." (1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)
Reflection: Spend time in prayer today, asking God to help you experience His love more deeply. How can this experience transform the way you love others?
Quotes
"It doesn't matter how many supernatural, powerful things that you and I experience or that we take to the world. It doesn't matter how much we achieve, what our titles are, what success we've garnered in the world. If we don't have love, we have nothing." [00:06:01] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Now, what Paul is basically saying, he's basically continuing in the ways and the teachings of Jesus. What he's basically saying is that love is central. It's core to the Christian faith." [00:07:18] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"What's interesting is that so many surveys have been done in recent years about what the church is known for. And the two most primary things that the church is known for in the world today, outside of the church, is basically, number one, hypocrisy, and number two, judgmentalism." [00:07:29] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And see, at the end of the day, what Paul is writing is like, it doesn't matter how big of a movement or how influential or how powerful you and I might get or be. Without love, we've missed the very heart of what the Christian faith has always been about." [00:11:11] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." [00:11:47] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"See, that the foundation of any kind of ethic that would go against the ways of the world, it had to be rooted in something altogether different. Here's what John writes to the early church. He writes, 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." [00:26:37] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"See, what John is saying is that, see, with the central heartbeat of the Christian message has always been about love. See, but it doesn't start with you. It always starts with each one of us, first and foremost, and each and every day, first coming to a place, coming to a place where the very center of our heart, the very center of our being, the very center that calms our anxieties, that calms our fears, that squelches our anger, the only thing that could do that is to be a people who have been so captivated and captured by God's love." [00:27:34] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Now, what if, what if the invitation to you today is to find the love that you've been looking for? Find your deepest security. The voice that could somehow quiet your fears and anxieties. A love that's been beckoning you, that would die for you. I want you to know this love." [00:32:39] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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