Experiencing God's Love Through Community and Sacrifice
Summary
### Summary
Today's sermon focused on the centrality of community in experiencing the fullness of God's love. We began by reflecting on Paul's heartfelt prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21, where he prays for the church to be strengthened with power through the Spirit and for Christ to dwell in their hearts. This prayer emphasizes the importance of being rooted and grounded in love, enabling the church to comprehend the vast dimensions of Christ's love. Paul asserts that this understanding can only be fully realized within a community of believers.
We explored the idea that the church is a monument to God's victory over the powers of this world, becoming a living, growing temple when it lives out its mission in a cruciform life. This means adopting a posture of weakness and sacrifice, mirroring the life of Jesus. The sermon highlighted that the love of God is not just for the individual but is best understood and experienced within a diverse community of believers. This communal aspect is essential for grasping the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ's love.
Paul's doxology in Ephesians 3:20-21 underscores that God's glory is found in the church, a unique declaration in the New Testament. This glory is manifested when the church lives out the cruciform life, embracing humility, sacrifice, and love for one another. The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging us to be active and contributing members of our church community, especially with those who are different from us. This is the only way to experience the fullness of God's love and to reflect His kingdom on earth.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Fullness of God's Love in Community: Paul prays for the church to be strengthened and for Christ to dwell in their hearts so that they can comprehend the vast dimensions of His love. This understanding is only possible within a community of believers, emphasizing the importance of being rooted and grounded in love together. [28:30]
2. The Church as a Monument to God's Victory: The church is a living, growing temple that showcases God's triumph over worldly powers. By living out a cruciform life—embracing weakness and sacrifice—the church becomes a dwelling place for God's Spirit, reflecting His glory to the world. [31:11]
3. Diversity in Community: Experiencing the fullness of God's love requires being part of a diverse community. This means actively engaging with believers who are different from us, as this diversity helps us understand the complexities and nuances of God's love that are otherwise inaccessible. [33:49]
4. Love as a Core Christian Practice: The love of God is best demonstrated through our love for one another. This love is not just a personal feeling but a communal practice that involves sacrifice and humility. It is through loving one another that we truly reflect the love of Christ and fulfill His commandment. [40:44]
5. Active Participation in Community: To experience the fullness of God's love, we must be active and contributing members of our church community. This involves embracing our weaknesses, relying on God's strength, and loving sacrificially. It is through these actions that we build a community that reflects the love and values of God. [49:35]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:03] - One Way, Jesus
[21:36] - High School and Middle School Ministry Needs
[22:53] - Upcoming Absences and Guest Speakers
[24:13] - Ephesians Part 12: Introduction
[25:45] - Paul's Heartfelt Prayer
[27:11] - Understanding Paul's Continuation
[28:30] - The Content of Paul's Prayer
[29:47] - God as the Father of All Families
[31:11] - The Church as a Monument to God's Victory
[32:25] - The Importance of Community
[33:49] - Diversity in Community
[35:12] - The Church as the Agency of God's Glory
[36:31] - Practical Application for Christians Today
[37:50] - The Essential Role of Community
[39:12] - The Dimensions of God's Love
[40:44] - Love as a Core Christian Practice
[42:12] - Sacrificial Love Without Expectations
[43:48] - The Power of the Cross
[45:13] - The Early Church's Impact
[46:42] - C.S. Lewis on Experiencing Heaven
[48:01] - Cultivating the Fragrance of God
[49:35] - Prayer for Community and Sacrificial Love
[52:19] - Offering and Benediction
[57:07] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 3:14-21
- John 13:34-35
- 1 John 3:16
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul pray for in Ephesians 3:14-21, and why is it significant for the church community? ([28:30])
2. According to the sermon, how is the church described as a monument to God's victory? ([31:11])
3. What does Jesus command his disciples to do in John 13:34-35, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on love within the community? ([40:44])
4. How does 1 John 3:16 define love, and what does it say about our responsibilities towards fellow Christians? ([40:44])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for the church to be "rooted and grounded in love" in Ephesians 3:17? How does this foundation help the church comprehend the vast dimensions of Christ's love? ([28:30])
2. How does the concept of the church as a "living, growing temple" challenge our individualistic views of faith? ([31:11])
3. In what ways does the diversity within a church community help believers understand the complexities and nuances of God's love? ([33:49])
4. How does sacrificial love, as described in 1 John 3:16, manifest in practical ways within a church community? ([40:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current involvement in your church community. Are you an active and contributing member? If not, what steps can you take to become more engaged? ([36:31])
2. Think of a time when you had to interact with someone very different from you within your church. How did that experience help you understand God's love better? ([33:49])
3. How can you practice sacrificial love in your daily interactions with fellow believers, especially those you may not agree with or find difficult to love? ([40:44])
4. What are some practical ways you can embrace weakness and rely on God's strength in your service to the church community? ([49:35])
5. Identify one person in your church community who you find challenging to connect with. What specific actions can you take this week to build a bridge and show them Christ's love? ([42:12])
6. How can you cultivate a habit of praying for your church community, asking for strength, unity, and a deeper understanding of Christ's love? ([49:35])
7. Reflect on the idea that the fullness of God's love can only be experienced within a diverse community. How does this change your perspective on the importance of church diversity? ([33:49])
Devotional
### Day 1: The Fullness of God's Love in Community
Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 emphasizes the importance of being rooted and grounded in love within a community of believers. He prays for the church to be strengthened with power through the Spirit and for Christ to dwell in their hearts. This communal grounding in love is essential for comprehending the vast dimensions of Christ's love. The understanding of God's love is not a solitary endeavor but a collective experience that can only be fully realized within a diverse and loving community. This shared experience of love helps believers grasp the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ's love, which surpasses knowledge.
Paul's prayer underscores that the fullness of God's love is best understood and experienced in the context of a community. It is within this collective environment that believers can support, encourage, and challenge one another to grow in their faith and understanding of God's love. The communal aspect of faith is crucial for spiritual growth and for experiencing the transformative power of God's love in its entirety. [28:30]
Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community this week to help others experience the fullness of God's love?
### Day 2: The Church as a Monument to God's Victory
The church is described as a living, growing temple that showcases God's triumph over worldly powers. By living out a cruciform life—embracing weakness and sacrifice—the church becomes a dwelling place for God's Spirit, reflecting His glory to the world. This cruciform life mirrors the life of Jesus, who demonstrated ultimate love and sacrifice. The church, as a community of believers, is called to adopt this posture of humility and selflessness, thereby becoming a testament to God's victory over the powers of this world.
This concept highlights the church's role as a beacon of God's glory and a testament to His power. When the church lives out its mission in a cruciform manner, it becomes a powerful witness to the world of God's transformative love and victory. This communal embodiment of God's love and sacrifice is essential for reflecting His glory and advancing His kingdom on earth. [31:11]
1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace weakness and sacrifice in your daily life to reflect God's glory through your actions?
### Day 3: Diversity in Community
Experiencing the fullness of God's love requires being part of a diverse community. This means actively engaging with believers who are different from us, as this diversity helps us understand the complexities and nuances of God's love that are otherwise inaccessible. A diverse community provides a richer, more comprehensive understanding of God's love, as each person brings unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to the collective understanding of His love.
Diversity within the church is not just about ethnic or cultural differences but also includes differences in age, background, and life experiences. Engaging with a diverse community challenges us to grow in empathy, understanding, and love. It helps us see the multifaceted nature of God's love and how it can be expressed in various ways. This diversity is essential for a holistic experience of God's love and for building a strong, united church community. [33:49]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: How can you intentionally engage with someone different from you in your church community this week to better understand and experience God's love?
### Day 4: Love as a Core Christian Practice
The love of God is best demonstrated through our love for one another. This love is not just a personal feeling but a communal practice that involves sacrifice and humility. It is through loving one another that we truly reflect the love of Christ and fulfill His commandment. Love, as a core Christian practice, requires us to go beyond our comfort zones and to love sacrificially, just as Christ loved us.
This practice of love is essential for building a strong, united church community. It involves putting others' needs before our own, forgiving one another, and supporting each other in times of need. By practicing sacrificial love, we reflect the love of Christ to the world and fulfill His commandment to love one another as He has loved us. This communal practice of love is a powerful witness to the world of God's transformative love. [40:44]
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."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can show sacrificial love to someone in your church community this week?
### Day 5: Active Participation in Community
To experience the fullness of God's love, we must be active and contributing members of our church community. This involves embracing our weaknesses, relying on God's strength, and loving sacrificially. It is through these actions that we build a community that reflects the love and values of God. Active participation in the church community is essential for spiritual growth and for experiencing the transformative power of God's love.
Being an active member of the church community means more than just attending services. It involves engaging in meaningful relationships, serving others, and contributing to the life of the church. By actively participating in the community, we help create an environment where God's love can be experienced and shared. This active involvement is crucial for building a strong, united church that reflects God's love and advances His kingdom on earth. [49:35]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church community this week to help build a stronger, more loving community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "An essential part of experiencing the fullness of the love of God is being an active and contributing member of a community of believers who are different from you. Okay, again this is not new this is not revolutionary. Okay, for most of us sitting here it's common knowledge right it's common knowledge that meeting people who are different from you and forming relational bonds with them will enrich your life." [36:31] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Taste and see that the Lord is good. His way of love is there it's available to all of us you to believe in him so we must cultivate and develop the fragrance of God within us the melodies of God within us within our community and it is then that we are able to experience the fullness of God." [48:01] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need each other to be filled with the fullness of God to experience the love of Christ in a different dimension and if you hate me or you disagree with me good I need you more I need you here more our unity our love for one another even when we are hostile toward one another is a foundational necessary thing can we live as if it is." [48:01] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus himself advocates for this type of love to flourish in his disciples I give you a new commandment to love one another just as I have loved you you also are to love one another everyone will know by this that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." [40:44] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul prays that the church will be strengthened with power that the church will be the dwelling place of Jesus that the church will be rooted and grounded in love that the church will comprehend the depth of Jesus's love also that the church will be filled with the fullness of God." [31:11] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There is a breadth length height and depth of God's love that can only be known through the church there is a fullness of God that cannot be felt unless you are actively practicing the way of Jesus with other disciples within a church community." [32:25] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we want to experience the fullness of God's grace and love and generosity toward us then we must extend grace and love and generosity to others especially those we don't like or don't agree with this is what it means to be part of the new creation to be part of the new living breathing growing temple of God." [40:44] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When love becomes an investment then we are operating in the values and ideals of the world not of the cross that is not a cruciform love that is not a cross-shaped love what we need is not a revolution or a revival because revolution and revival those are still ideas and understandings that are captive to the powers." [43:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Paul prays emphatically that God's glory be in the church this is the only place in the entire new testament that says the glory of God can be found in the church and this is a fitting way to end this prayer before transitioning into the second half of the letter because it's this great summary of Paul's points up to this portion of the letter." [35:12] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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