Embracing Transformation: Living Out Christ's Love

 

Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound calling we have as followers of Christ. Our journey is not just about what we are saved from, but more importantly, what we are saved into—a life filled with love, joy, peace, and purpose. This month, we've been focusing on "growing young," which means reaching up to God, reaching in to nurture our community, and reaching out to the world. This growth isn't about numbers but about expanding the kingdom of God through genuine transformation.

We are reminded that God, in His infinite love, chose us before the foundation of the world. Through Jesus Christ, we are adopted into His family, freed from the penalties of our misdeeds, and given the opportunity to live abundantly. This freedom is not just a future promise but a present reality, empowering us to live a life that reflects Christ's love and grace.

The message of Jesus is one of love, peace, faith, hope, and grace. It is transformational, affecting every aspect of our lives—our thoughts, words, and actions. It calls us to respond to God's grace by extending grace to others, to respond to His mercy with mercy, and to respond to His love with love. In a world filled with division and strife, we are called to embody the love of Christ, to be a community that welcomes and includes, and to be a people of good news.

Our challenge is to take the message of Jesus seriously, allowing it to transform us into better neighbors and more authentic followers of Christ. This transformation requires us to look beyond political and social identities and to embrace the values of the kingdom of God. As we do so, we will find endless energy and boundless grace, enabling us to reach out to the young, the old, the poor, the rich, the outcasts, and the seekers.

Let us choose today to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, to take His message seriously, and to allow it to shape our lives and our community. May we be a people who not only embrace the grace of God but also share it with the world, bringing the good news of Jesus to all who need it.

Key Takeaways:

1. Empowerment and Leadership: We are called to empower the next generation by giving them opportunities to lead and serve. This is not just about speaking but about living out the message of Jesus in a way that inspires others to follow. [54:14]

2. Adoption and Freedom: God chose us before the foundation of the world, adopting us into His family through Jesus Christ. This adoption brings freedom from sin and a call to live abundantly in His love and grace. [57:03]

3. Transformational Love: The message of Jesus is one of genuine love that transforms our lives. It calls us to respond to God's grace, mercy, and love by extending the same to others, impacting our thoughts, actions, and relationships. [01:03:44]

4. Community and Inclusion: We are called to be a welcoming and inclusive community, embodying the love of Christ in our interactions with others. This requires us to move beyond mere intellectual understanding to living out the gospel in tangible ways. [01:10:53]

5. Taking Jesus Seriously: To take the message of Jesus seriously means to allow it to transform us into better neighbors and more authentic followers of Christ. This involves embracing the values of the kingdom of God and sharing the good news with the world. [01:15:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Empowering the Next Generation
- [02:15] - Invitation to Non-Believers
- [04:00] - Growing Young: Reaching Up, In, and Out
- [06:45] - Prayer for Strength and Love
- [09:30] - God's Plan and Our Adoption
- [12:00] - Freedom in Christ
- [14:30] - The Transformational Message of Jesus
- [17:00] - Responding to God's Love
- [19:30] - The Struggle to Live Out the Message
- [22:00] - The Importance of Community
- [24:30] - Embodying the Gospel
- [27:00] - Taking Jesus Seriously
- [29:30] - A Call to Action and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:3-14
- Philippians 1:6
- John 1:1-3

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 1:3-14, what are some of the spiritual blessings we receive in Christ? How does this passage describe our adoption into God's family? [57:03]

2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the concept of "growing young" by reaching up, in, and out. What does this mean, and how does it relate to the idea of expanding the kingdom of God? [01:01:16]

3. How does the sermon describe the transformational message of Jesus, and what are some specific ways it affects our lives? [01:03:44]

4. What role does the church play in embodying the love of Christ, according to the sermon? How is this related to the idea of community and inclusion? [01:10:53]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Ephesians 1:3-14 speaks of being chosen and adopted by God. How does understanding this adoption impact a believer's identity and purpose? [57:03]

2. The sermon emphasizes taking the message of Jesus seriously. What does it mean to take this message seriously, and how might it challenge one's current lifestyle or beliefs? [01:15:35]

3. The pastor mentioned the struggle to live out the message of Jesus in a politically charged and combative culture. How can believers navigate these challenges while remaining true to the values of the kingdom of God? [01:06:51]

4. How does the concept of "growing young" by reaching up, in, and out challenge traditional views of church growth? What might this look like in practice? [01:01:16]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea of being adopted into God's family. How does this truth affect your daily interactions with others, especially those who may not share your faith? [57:03]

2. The sermon calls for taking the message of Jesus seriously. Identify one area of your life where you feel challenged to live out this message more authentically. What steps can you take this week to address this? [01:15:35]

3. In what ways can you contribute to creating a more welcoming and inclusive community within your church? Consider specific actions you can take to embody the love of Christ. [01:10:53]

4. The pastor mentioned the importance of empowering the next generation. How can you actively support and mentor younger members of your church community? [54:14]

5. Think about a recent situation where you struggled to respond with grace and love. How can you prepare yourself to respond differently in the future, in line with the message of Jesus? [01:03:44]

6. The sermon highlighted the need to look beyond political and social identities. How can you ensure that your primary identity is rooted in Christ, and what practical steps can you take to prioritize this in your life? [01:13:25]

7. Identify one person in your life who might be seeking or in need of the good news of Jesus. How can you intentionally share this message with them in a way that is genuine and loving? [01:15:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Empowering the Next Generation Through Authentic Leadership
Our calling as followers of Christ includes empowering the next generation by providing them with opportunities to lead and serve. This empowerment is not merely about giving them a platform to speak but about living out the message of Jesus in a way that inspires others to follow. By modeling Christ-like leadership, we can encourage young people to embrace their faith and take active roles in their communities. This involves mentoring, supporting, and walking alongside them as they grow in their spiritual journey. As we invest in the next generation, we are contributing to the expansion of God's kingdom through genuine transformation. [54:14]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Who is a young person in your life that you can mentor or encourage in their faith journey today? How can you model Christ-like leadership to them?


Day 2: Embracing Our Adoption and Freedom in Christ
God's infinite love for us is demonstrated in His choice to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. This adoption is not just a future promise but a present reality that brings freedom from sin and a call to live abundantly in His love and grace. As adopted children of God, we are invited to experience the fullness of life that comes from being part of His family. This freedom empowers us to live a life that reflects Christ's love and grace, impacting our thoughts, words, and actions. Embracing our identity as God's children allows us to live with purpose and joy, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued. [57:03]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your identity as a child of God today? How does this identity influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?


Day 3: Living Out Transformational Love
The message of Jesus is one of genuine love that transforms every aspect of our lives. It calls us to respond to God's grace, mercy, and love by extending the same to others. This transformation affects our thoughts, actions, and relationships, challenging us to embody the love of Christ in all we do. In a world filled with division and strife, we are called to be a community that welcomes and includes, sharing the good news of Jesus with those around us. By living out transformational love, we become better neighbors and more authentic followers of Christ, reflecting His love to a hurting world. [01:03:44]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience the love of Christ. How can you extend genuine love and grace to them today?


Day 4: Building a Welcoming and Inclusive Community
As followers of Christ, we are called to be a welcoming and inclusive community that embodies His love in our interactions with others. This requires us to move beyond mere intellectual understanding to living out the gospel in tangible ways. By creating a space where everyone feels valued and included, we reflect the heart of Christ and His desire for unity among His people. This involves actively reaching out to those who may feel marginalized or excluded, offering them a place of belonging and acceptance. As we build a community that reflects the love of Christ, we become a beacon of hope and light in a divided world. [01:10:53]

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment in your community or church? What steps can you take to reach out to someone who may feel excluded?


Day 5: Taking the Message of Jesus Seriously
To take the message of Jesus seriously means to allow it to transform us into better neighbors and more authentic followers of Christ. This involves embracing the values of the kingdom of God and sharing the good news with the world. By prioritizing the teachings of Jesus in our lives, we align ourselves with His mission and purpose, becoming agents of change in our communities. This transformation requires us to look beyond political and social identities and to embrace the values of the kingdom of God. As we do so, we will find endless energy and boundless grace, enabling us to reach out to the young, the old, the poor, the rich, the outcasts, and the seekers. [01:15:35]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to take the message of Jesus more seriously? How can you begin to live out His teachings in a practical way today?

Quotes


And today, what I wanted to, before I really begin, I want to tell you that I'm going to be speaking primarily to believers today. All right. Now, if you are in this room and you have not chosen to follow Jesus, with your life, with your faith, into baptism, I want to remind you that a life apart from Jesus will lead to an eternal separation from God. This is something that God does not do to us. We choose that by not choosing him. [00:52:01] (41 seconds)


And I pray, Lord, that our church family here, being rooted and established in love, Lord, I pray that they may have power together with all the Lord's holy people throughout this community and beyond, Lord, that they may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. [00:54:26] (19 seconds)


He wanted us to enter into this celebration of his lavish gift giving by the hand of Jesus Christ, his beloved son. Think about it. Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the cross. Because of that, we are a free people. [00:56:17] (22 seconds)


You know, it's in Christ that we find out who we are and who we're living for. I mean, long before we ever heard of Christ. Think back. Long before you really knew about Christ. He had his eye on you. He had designs for you. For glorious living. [00:57:03] (22 seconds)


And all this energy, it's not from ourselves, this energy issues from Christ. God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven. Okay? In charge of running the universe. Everything from galaxies to governments. No name and no power is exempt from the name of Christ. [00:59:14] (18 seconds)


This message of Jesus is kindness, and it is patience, and it is something that is not envious. It's not boastful. You know, there's no pride in that. You're not seeking yourself first whenever you're embodying love. Love keeps no records of wrongs. It doesn't delight in evil, but it rejoices with the truth. [01:04:07] (24 seconds)


It is real and it is true in a world of gaslighting and deception. The message of Jesus is love, the message is peace, the message is faith, and it is hope, and it is grace. And when you take that message seriously, then it is transformational. [01:04:45] (19 seconds)


It will transform how you respond to one another, how you respond to the news. It will help you see the world through the eyes of compassion and mercy and justice and love for the poor, the lowly, the outcast, those without a voice. [01:05:19] (21 seconds)


This is why we need to pay attention to the message of Jesus. We need to take it more seriously. We need one another. We don't need to remind one another of how much we disagree with each other. What we need more than public disagreement and argument is a general reminder of the message of Jesus. [01:08:40] (17 seconds)


And if Jesus is the word made flesh, then that means we are to be the love of Jesus in the flesh. If we are the body of Christ, then we are to be the love of God to the world. [01:11:10] (17 seconds)


They want to know that Christ isn't just something in our head. He's not just another stated belief in a world of beliefs. They want to know that this belief is real and transformational. All their lives they've been told that Christianity is one thing, but then they see another thing. [01:12:01] (16 seconds)


And when you start to include, then hospitality becomes a core value. And this is a value that our each and every day, not just Sunday, it'll open doors of opportunity for us to reach young and old and poor and rich and outcasts and believers and seekers and everyone in between. [01:15:41] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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