Embracing the Call to Love More
Summary
Today’s focus is on the call to “get used to loving more” as followers of Jesus. In a world saturated with division, hate, and opposition, the distinguishing mark of a Christian must be love—real, tangible, and ever-increasing. This isn’t a love we can manufacture on our own; it’s a supernatural love that flows from God Himself. As we grow older, many of us notice our capacity to love expands, especially as we allow God to soften our hearts. This is not just a natural process, but a spiritual one: God desires to continually increase our love capacity so that we reflect His heart to the world.
Love is not a resource we can squeeze out of ourselves by sheer willpower, like trying to get more juice from a spent lime. Instead, love is God’s very nature, and only by drawing close to Him can we be filled and refilled to love others—especially those who are difficult to love. The closer we are to Jesus, the more our hearts will overflow with love for people, even those who oppose us or are radically different from us. This is the core of Christian witness: our love for one another and for all people is the proof to the world that we truly follow Jesus.
But loving like Jesus is uncomfortable and challenging. It means loving not just those who are easy to love, but also those who annoy us, those who are needy, those who are judgmental, and even those who hold beliefs and values that are completely opposite to ours. There are no “get out of loving” cards in the Christian life. We are called to show our love through action, not just words, and to build bridges rather than burn them.
The world is watching, and too often, Christians are known more for what we are against than what we are for. The greatest testimony we can offer is a love that overflows—first to our fellow believers, and then to all people, including those who are hardest to love. This is only possible as we draw near to Jesus, allowing Him to filter out anger, hate, and stereotypes, and fill us with His love. In the end, nothing else matters if we do not love. Let’s open our hearts, ask God to convict us, and get used to loving more.
Key Takeaways
- Love is not self-generated; it is the very nature of God. No matter how hard we try, we cannot manufacture more love from within ourselves. True love flows from God, and only by staying close to Him can our hearts be continually filled and renewed to love others, even when we feel empty or spent. [25:20]
- The measure of our love for others is directly tied to our closeness with Jesus. If you want to love your spouse, neighbor, or even your enemies more, the answer is not to try harder, but to draw nearer to Christ. The overflow of love in our lives is always proportional to our intimacy with Him. [27:52]
- Loving other Christians can be one of the hardest tests of our faith. Those closest to us often challenge our patience and grace the most, yet Jesus gives us no exceptions or “get out of loving” cards. Our love for fellow believers is a powerful testimony to the world and must be demonstrated through consistent, practical action, not just words. [33:09]
- We are called to love those who are radically different from us—those with opposing beliefs, values, and lifestyles. In a polarized world, it is tempting to retreat into echo chambers or respond with criticism, but Jesus commands us to build bridges, not burn them. Our love for all people, especially the hardest to love, is what sets us apart and draws others to Christ. [41:38]
- The world will not be convinced of Jesus’ love until they are convinced of our love. Leading with “Jesus loves you” rings hollow if it is not preceded by genuine care and relationship. When people experience our authentic love, they become open to the reality of God’s love for them, making our actions the most compelling evidence of the gospel. [44:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Series Recap: “Get Used to It”
[05:30] - The Challenge to Love More
[15:12] - The World’s Need for Love
[16:23] - Conviction, Not Condemnation
[18:01] - Grandparenting and Growing in Love
[20:09] - God Softens Our Hearts Over Time
[22:10] - God’s Desire to Increase Our Love Capacity
[23:32] - Love Comes from God, Not Ourselves
[25:20] - Only God Can Renew Our Love
[26:31] - Love as the Mark of a True Follower
[27:52] - Closeness to Jesus Equals Greater Love
[32:12] - Loving Other Christians: The Hardest Test
[35:01] - Practical Ways to Love in Community
[37:34] - Loving Those Who Are Different
[41:38] - God’s Love for All People
[44:07] - Leading with “I Love You” Before “Jesus Loves You”
[45:08] - The Supremacy of Love
[47:05] - Prayer for Greater Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Get Used to Loving More
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### Bible Reading
1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)
> Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 (ESV)
> And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
> A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 4:7-8, where does love come from, and what does it say about someone who does not love?
2. In 1 Thessalonians 3:12, what does Paul pray will happen to the believers’ love, and who should it be directed toward?
3. In John 13:34-35, what does Jesus say will show the world that we are His disciples?
4. The sermon described love as something we cannot “squeeze out” of ourselves, like trying to get more juice from a spent lime. What does this illustration teach us about the source of true love? [[25:20]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “Love is not self-generated; it is the very nature of God.” Why is it important to recognize that we can’t manufacture love on our own? How does this change the way we approach loving others? [[23:32]]
2. The pastor shared that our love for others is directly tied to our closeness with Jesus. What does it look like in real life to “draw near” to Jesus so that our love can overflow? [[27:52]]
3. Why do you think loving other Christians—especially those who are annoying, needy, or judgmental—can be one of the hardest tests of our faith? [[33:09]]
4. The sermon challenges us to love people who are radically different from us, even those we might strongly disagree with. Why is this kind of love so important for our witness to the world? [[41:38]]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor said, “There are no ‘get out of loving’ cards in the Christian life.” Is there a person or group you find especially hard to love? What would it look like to take one small step toward loving them this week? [[33:09]]
2. Think about a time when you tried to “squeeze” more love out of yourself and felt empty or frustrated. What would it look like to ask God to refill your heart with His love instead? [[25:20]]
3. The sermon mentioned that the world often knows Christians more for what we are against than what we are for. How can you personally shift the conversation in your relationships or online presence to be known for love instead of opposition? [[15:12]]
4. The pastor shared that as we grow older and let God soften our hearts, our capacity to love can increase. Is there an area of your life where you sense God wants to soften your heart? How can you invite Him to do that? [[20:09]]
5. Jesus said that our love for one another is the proof to the world that we are His disciples. What is one practical way you can show love to another believer this week—especially someone you might not naturally connect with? [[35:01]]
6. The sermon challenged us to “lead with ‘I love you’ before ‘Jesus loves you.’” Is there someone in your life who needs to experience your genuine care before hearing about God’s love? What’s one thing you can do to show them you care? [[44:07]]
7. The pastor encouraged us to ask God to “filter out anger, hate, and stereotypes” from our hearts. Are there any attitudes or stereotypes you need to surrender to God so you can love more like Jesus? [[46:11]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to increase your love capacity and to help you reflect His heart to the world.
Devotional
Day 1: Love Comes from God, Not Ourselves
True love is not something we can manufacture or squeeze out of our own efforts; it is a gift that flows from God Himself. No matter how hard we try, we cannot generate more love by sheer willpower—just as a squeezed lime cannot produce more juice once it’s empty, our hearts need to be continually refilled by God’s love. Only God can renew and regenerate our hearts, enabling us to love even when we feel empty or exhausted. When we love others, it is evidence that God is at work in us, and when we struggle to love, it is a sign to draw closer to Him, the source of all love. [25:20]
1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Reflection: Where in your life are you trying to “squeeze out” love on your own strength, and how can you invite God to refill your heart with His love today?
Day 2: The Overflow of Love Proves Our Faith
The way we love others is the clearest evidence to the world that we are followers of Jesus. Our love for people—especially when it overflows beyond what is comfortable or easy—demonstrates the reality of Christ in us. The closer we are to Jesus, the more our hearts will overflow with love, not just for those who are easy to love, but for everyone God places in our path. This overflow is not just for our benefit, but so that others may experience God’s love through us and be drawn to Him. [27:52]
1 Thessalonians 3:12 (ESV)
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the overflow of God’s love through you this week, and what is one practical way you can show it?
Day 3: Love Must Be Shown, Not Just Spoken
It’s not enough to simply say we love others; our actions must back up our words. Genuine love is proven by what we do, especially toward those who are closest to us—sometimes the hardest people to love. God calls us to move beyond lip service and to demonstrate love in tangible, practical ways, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. Our acts of love within the church and our families are a powerful testimony to the world and to each other. [33:09]
1 John 3:18 (ESV)
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to show love to a fellow believer or family member who is difficult for you to love?
Day 4: Love Those Who Are Different from You
Jesus calls us to love not only those who are like us, but also those who are radically different—those with different beliefs, values, or lifestyles. In a world that is increasingly divided and hostile, Christians are called to build bridges, not burn them. The love we show to those who are hardest for us to love is a reflection of God’s heart, who loves every person equally. Before people can believe that Jesus loves them, they often need to experience your genuine care and love first. [43:24]
Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Reflection: Who is one person or group you find difficult to love, and what is one step you can take to show them genuine care this week?
Day 5: Without Love, Everything Else Is Empty
No matter how gifted, knowledgeable, or generous we are, if we do not have love, we gain nothing. Love is the most important thing we can pursue as followers of Jesus, and nothing should take its place—not our image, possessions, or ambitions. God calls us to let go of anything that hinders us from loving others as He loves us, and to draw closer to Jesus so that His love can flow through us to the world. [45:08]
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Reflection: What is one thing in your life that tends to take priority over loving others, and how can you surrender it to God today so that love becomes your highest aim?
Quotes
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