Embracing Our Spiritual DNA: Love and Mission
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we embark on a new series called "DNA," where we explore the core of who we are as a church and as followers of Jesus. Just as DNA is the blueprint for all living things, our spiritual DNA defines our purpose, mission, and values. We share a common faith code with Christians worldwide, but our church has a unique DNA that we need to understand and live out.
Our purpose is rooted in the Great Commandment: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the foundation of our faith and the reason we exist as a church. Jesus emphasized this when asked about the greatest commandment, highlighting that loving God and loving people are inseparable and must be done in that order.
We also discussed the Great Commission, which is our mission: "Real people helping people become more like Jesus as a family." Jesus entrusted this mission to ordinary people, empowering us to make disciples in our everyday lives. This involves praying for others, inviting them to church, and studying the Bible together. It's not complicated; it's about being real people helping others grow in their faith.
Our church family plays a crucial role in this mission. We are not meant to be lone rangers; God sets us in spiritual families to support and grow together. This family connection is vital for our spiritual health and mission. We must communicate our needs, serve others, and carry our weight in the family. This shared connection, both in joy and pain, strengthens us and helps us grow in love and faith.
As we continue this series, let's embrace our spiritual DNA, commit to loving God and people, and fulfill our mission together as a family. Let's pray for God's guidance and strength to live out our purpose and mission.
### Key Takeaways
1. Loving God and Loving People: Our purpose is rooted in the Great Commandment, which calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This dual commandment is foundational to our faith and must be done in this order. Loving God first enables us to love others genuinely and selflessly. [39:57]
2. The Great Commission: Jesus entrusted us with the mission to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands. This mission is not just for perfect people but for real people with real struggles. We are empowered by Jesus' authority to carry out this mission in our everyday lives. [51:11]
3. The Role of the Church Family: God sets us in spiritual families to support and grow together. This family connection is vital for our spiritual health and mission. We must communicate our needs, serve others, and carry our weight in the family. This shared connection, both in joy and pain, strengthens us and helps us grow in love and faith. [57:14]
4. Discipleship: Discipleship is about real people helping others become more like Jesus. It involves praying for others, inviting them to church, and studying the Bible together. It's not complicated; it's about being real people helping others grow in their faith. We are called to lead others by example, following Christ and helping others do the same. [55:46]
5. Embracing Our Spiritual DNA: Understanding and embracing our spiritual DNA is crucial for living out our purpose and mission. Our church has a unique DNA that defines our values, mission, and purpose. By committing to loving God and people, and fulfilling our mission together as a family, we can make a significant impact in our community and beyond. [38:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[15:04] - Introduction to "What Would You Ask God?"
[36:07] - Introduction to the DNA Series
[36:56] - Understanding DNA and Its Significance
[37:57] - Unique DNA of Our Church
[38:59] - Embracing Our Purpose: Loving God and People
[39:57] - The Great Commandment
[40:59] - Jesus' Teaching on the Greatest Commandment
[41:53] - The Shema: A Daily Prayer
[43:02] - The Importance of Daily Reminders
[45:10] - The Ten Commandments: Loving God and People
[46:35] - Loving God with All Your Mind
[48:05] - Loving People as Jesus Did
[49:42] - The Great Commission: Our Mission
[51:11] - Jesus' Authority and Our Mission
[55:46] - Becoming More Like Jesus as a Family
[57:14] - The Role of the Church Family
[01:00:24] - Communicating Needs and Serving Others
[01:03:27] - Strengthening Each Other in Love
[01:05:10] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 12:28-31 - "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?' 'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself." There is no commandment greater than these.'"
2. Matthew 28:16-20 - "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
3. 1 John 4:19-21 - "We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two greatest commandments according to Jesus in Mark 12:28-31?
2. In Matthew 28:16-20, what mission does Jesus give to His disciples before ascending to heaven?
3. According to 1 John 4:19-21, what is the relationship between loving God and loving others?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength before loving your neighbor? How does this order affect our ability to love others? [39:57]
2. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 shape the mission and activities of the church? What does it mean to make disciples in our everyday lives? [51:11]
3. What does 1 John 4:19-21 suggest about the authenticity of our love for God if we harbor hatred towards others? How does this challenge our personal relationships within the church family? [49:42]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you deepen your love for Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength this week? [39:57]
2. Identify one person in your life who you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take to show them love and kindness, following Jesus' command to love your neighbor as yourself? [48:05]
3. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples. Who in your life can you start praying for, inviting to church, or studying the Bible with? What is one specific action you can take this week to help them grow in their faith? [51:11]
4. Think about your role in the church family. Are there any needs you have not communicated or ways you can serve others more effectively? How can you start addressing these areas this week? [01:00:24]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt supported by your church family during a difficult period. How can you offer similar support to someone else in the church who might be going through a tough time? [57:14]
6. Consider the unique DNA of your church. How can you contribute to living out the church's mission and values in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to embrace and promote this spiritual DNA? [38:59]
7. How can you ensure that your actions and words align with the command to love God and love people? What changes might you need to make in your daily interactions to reflect this commitment more clearly? [49:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Loving God as the Foundation of Our Faith
Description: Our purpose as followers of Jesus is deeply rooted in the Great Commandment, which calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This dual commandment is foundational to our faith and must be done in this order. Loving God first enables us to love others genuinely and selflessly. When we prioritize our love for God, it transforms our hearts and minds, allowing us to extend His love to those around us. This is not just a command but a way of life that reflects our spiritual DNA and purpose as a church. [39:57]
Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (ESV): "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart."
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. How can you intentionally prioritize loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength today? What specific actions can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 2: Empowered by Jesus' Authority to Fulfill the Great Commission
Description: Jesus entrusted us with the mission to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands. This mission is not just for perfect people but for real people with real struggles. We are empowered by Jesus' authority to carry out this mission in our everyday lives. This involves praying for others, inviting them to church, and studying the Bible together. It's about being real people helping others grow in their faith, leading by example, and following Christ. [51:11]
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV): "And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus. How can you take a step today to share His love with them, whether through prayer, an invitation to church, or a conversation about faith?
Day 3: The Vital Role of the Church Family
Description: God sets us in spiritual families to support and grow together. This family connection is vital for our spiritual health and mission. We must communicate our needs, serve others, and carry our weight in the family. This shared connection, both in joy and pain, strengthens us and helps us grow in love and faith. Being part of a church family means being there for one another, encouraging each other, and working together to fulfill our mission. [57:14]
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (ESV): "That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."
Reflection: Reflect on your role within your church family. How can you better support and serve your church community this week? What specific actions can you take to strengthen your connection with others?
Day 4: Discipleship Through Real Relationships
Description: Discipleship is about real people helping others become more like Jesus. It involves praying for others, inviting them to church, and studying the Bible together. It's not complicated; it's about being real people helping others grow in their faith. We are called to lead others by example, following Christ and helping others do the same. This relational approach to discipleship is at the heart of our mission and reflects our spiritual DNA. [55:46]
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
Reflection: Think of someone you can mentor or disciple in their faith journey. How can you reach out to them today and begin building a relationship that encourages spiritual growth?
Day 5: Embracing Our Unique Spiritual DNA
Description: Understanding and embracing our spiritual DNA is crucial for living out our purpose and mission. Our church has a unique DNA that defines our values, mission, and purpose. By committing to loving God and people, and fulfilling our mission together as a family, we can make a significant impact in our community and beyond. Embracing our spiritual DNA means recognizing our unique calling and working together to achieve it. [38:59]
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: Reflect on the unique aspects of your church's mission and values. How can you personally contribute to living out this mission in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to align your actions with your church's spiritual DNA?
Quotes
1. "DNA is the genetic code for any living thing. It is the blueprint for life. Our DNA determines everything about a person. So your hair color, your eye color, skin color, voice, your personality, muscle density, everything, right? And in this series, we are looking closely at the DNA blueprint of our faith and what that looks like for our life." [36:56] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We also, as Christians worldwide, share a common faith code among all believers in Jesus. But it looks a little different from one person and from one church to the next. We have many churches in our community that follow Jesus and teach others to follow Jesus as well. But our church has a very unique DNA." [37:57] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It starts with our purpose. I'll restate that, uh, from what Sean said, it is loving God and loving people. This is the reason that we exist as a church, as a people. This is why God created us. And this is based on the great commandment." [38:59] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus loves them. He loved them enough to die for them and that can be hard for us to understand sometimes but guess what you're one of those frustrating people too to others they might actually have a hard time loving you too and that's hard for us to accept sometimes but understand God loves you and died for you too even though you're a difficult person to others too." [48:05] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Our relationship with God is in the correct place in our lives. Loving people is then what we are on a mission to do. The purpose of our lives is to live in right relationship with God and with others. That's what he designed us for as a people and as a church. So we must commit to loving God and loving people as our foundation." [49:42] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Real people. Well because Jesus didn't empower and send perfect people. Because there are none. There are only real people. Jesus came to these very real people that had real struggles. They were common men and women. They had ordinary jobs and families and real issues. And he entrusted them to them with his real work of making disciples every day in their everyday lives and for it to continue for thousands of years until he returns." [52:39] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We don't want to make disciples that look more like us. We don't need disciples that look like us. We want to see them become more like Jesus. Because that is our desire to become more and more like Jesus. We're teaching them to follow us as we follow Christ. We see this from Paul. First Corinthians chapter 11 verse 1. Follow me as I follow Christ." [55:46] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We are not lone rangers. We do not go out on mission alone. Because it was God's design to set you in a spiritual family. A very imperfect one, but a family nonetheless. We see this in Psalms chapter 68 verse 6. God sets the lonely in families. He leads out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious are not alone. He leads out the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." [57:14] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Real people. Loving people. Means we're not doing it perfectly. Still sometimes in a broken way, but we're healing. We're works in progress as we bring one another to the throne and heal together. And so if you're still feeling lonely, and disconnected here, I have to ask, are you coming to the family dinner? It's our choice to come to the family table." [01:00:24] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I think of my granddaughters, and you pull their little booster seats up, and we're a big, crazy, loud family when we get together and eat. But they learn to eat by watching us eat. And so likewise, if you're a new believer here, you learn to eat spiritually, feed yourself spiritually by watching those that are more spiritually mature around you. And they pour into you, and they share their life with you. And this is the heart of true discipleship." [01:01:58] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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