Living Fully in God's Love and Purpose
Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound truth of God's love and the life it offers us. The Gospel of John doesn't recount the nativity scene but instead goes straight to the heart of the matter: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." This love is not just a historical event but a present reality that invites us to truly live, not merely exist. As I reflect on my daughter's birth, I am reminded of the sacrificial love that brings forth life. Similarly, God's love manifested through Jesus' birth, life, and sacrifice, offers us a life that transcends mere existence.
The question we must ask ourselves is, "Are we truly living?" Jesus came so that we might have life abundantly, not just to go through the motions of daily routines. Too often, we find ourselves caught in the cycle of existence, where life is defined by survival rather than thriving. But Christ's love calls us to a higher purpose, to live a life marked by joy, purpose, and faith. This life is not about accumulating material possessions or accolades but about embracing the eternal and impacting eternity.
Living by faith means stepping out of our comfort zones, trusting in God's promises, and pursuing the dreams He has placed in our hearts. It means moving beyond fear, which confines us to mere existence, and embracing the boldness of faith that allows us to walk on water, trusting that Jesus will hold us up. This life of faith is about building heavenly treasures, focusing on what God desires for us, and working towards a "well done" in eternity.
Ultimately, living is about embodying God's love in our daily lives, serving others, and being a representation of His love to the world. It's about being thankful for the prayers and love that have brought us to where we are today and continuing to pray and love others in the same way. God's love is eternal, unchanging, and ever-present, inviting us to live fully in His grace and purpose.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Love as the Foundation of Life: God's love is the reason for Christ's incarnation and sacrifice. This love is not just historical but a present reality that invites us to live fully. It is a love that desires for us to have life, not just existence. [00:26]
2. The Difference Between Existing and Living: Existing is about survival, going through the motions, and meeting the bare minimum. Living, however, is about thriving, embracing joy, and stepping into our God-given purpose with boldness and joy. [05:23]
3. Faith Over Fear: Fear confines us to our comfort zones, but faith calls us to step out and trust in God's promises. Living by faith means moving beyond limitations and embracing the boldness to pursue God-sized dreams. [06:46]
4. Impacting Eternity: True living is about focusing on what we do for Christ and building heavenly treasures. It's about working towards a "well done" in eternity and prioritizing God's desires over worldly accolades. [09:20]
5. Embodying God's Love: Living is about being a representation of God's love, serving others, and being thankful for the love and prayers that have shaped us. It's about continuing to pray and love others, embodying God's eternal and unchanging love. [12:41]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - God's Love and Life
[02:11] - Are You Truly Living?
[03:01] - Beyond Material Possessions
[04:07] - The Cycle of Existence
[05:23] - Thriving vs. Surviving
[06:46] - Faith Over Fear
[07:40] - Trusting God's Promises
[09:20] - Impacting Eternity
[10:46] - Building a Life Beyond
[12:41] - The Power of Prayer
[13:44] - God's Eternal Love
[15:25] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
2. Matthew 14:28-29 - Peter walking on water, stepping out in faith.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does John 3:16 reveal about the nature of God's love and its purpose for humanity? [00:26]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between merely existing and truly living? [05:23]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of living by faith rather than being confined by fear? [06:46]
4. According to the sermon, what does it mean to impact eternity, and how is this different from seeking worldly accolades? [09:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sacrificial love of God, as described in John 3:16, challenge the way individuals perceive their own purpose in life? [02:11]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living by faith can transform daily routines into a life of purpose and joy? [05:23]
3. How might the concept of "walking on water" in Matthew 14:28-29 serve as a metaphor for stepping out in faith in one's personal life? [06:46]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between serving others and embodying God's love in our daily lives? [12:41]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current life. Are there areas where you feel you are merely existing rather than truly living? What steps can you take to embrace a life of purpose and joy? [03:01]
2. Identify a fear that has been holding you back. How can you take a step of faith this week to overcome that fear and trust in God's promises? [06:46]
3. Consider the ways you currently serve others. How can you more fully embody God's love in your interactions with those around you? [12:41]
4. Think about your daily routines. What changes can you make to ensure that you are living with intention and purpose rather than just going through the motions? [04:07]
5. Reflect on the concept of impacting eternity. What specific actions can you take to focus more on building heavenly treasures rather than seeking worldly accolades? [09:20]
6. How can you incorporate gratitude into your daily life, acknowledging the prayers and love that have shaped you? What impact might this have on your relationships with others? [12:41]
7. Identify one person in your life who may need to experience God's love through you. What practical steps can you take this week to serve and love them intentionally? [12:41]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Love as the Foundation of Life
God's love is the cornerstone of our existence, offering us a life that transcends mere survival. This love is not confined to the past but is a present reality that invites us to live fully. It is a love that desires for us to have life, not just existence. The incarnation and sacrifice of Christ are the ultimate expressions of this love, calling us to embrace a life filled with purpose and joy. As we reflect on this profound truth, we are reminded that God's love is the reason we are called to live abundantly, stepping beyond the boundaries of mere existence. [00:26]
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively embrace God's love today in a way that transforms your daily routine from mere existence to abundant living?
Day 2: The Difference Between Existing and Living
Existing is about survival, going through the motions, and meeting the bare minimum. In contrast, living is about thriving, embracing joy, and stepping into our God-given purpose with boldness and joy. Too often, we find ourselves caught in the cycle of existence, where life is defined by survival rather than thriving. Christ's love calls us to a higher purpose, to live a life marked by joy, purpose, and faith. This life is not about accumulating material possessions or accolades but about embracing the eternal and impacting eternity. [05:23]
"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you are merely existing. What steps can you take today to transform this area into one of thriving and purpose?
Day 3: Faith Over Fear
Fear confines us to our comfort zones, but faith calls us to step out and trust in God's promises. Living by faith means moving beyond limitations and embracing the boldness to pursue God-sized dreams. It means stepping out of our comfort zones, trusting in God's promises, and pursuing the dreams He has placed in our hearts. This life of faith is about building heavenly treasures, focusing on what God desires for us, and working towards a "well done" in eternity. [06:46]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one fear that is holding you back from pursuing a God-sized dream? How can you take a step of faith today to overcome this fear?
Day 4: Impacting Eternity
True living is about focusing on what we do for Christ and building heavenly treasures. It's about working towards a "well done" in eternity and prioritizing God's desires over worldly accolades. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary achievements to eternal impact, encouraging us to invest in what truly matters. By aligning our lives with God's purposes, we can make a lasting difference that echoes into eternity. [09:20]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current priorities. How can you realign them to focus more on eternal impact rather than temporary achievements?
Day 5: Embodying God's Love
Living is about being a representation of God's love, serving others, and being thankful for the love and prayers that have shaped us. It's about continuing to pray and love others, embodying God's eternal and unchanging love. This call to embody God's love challenges us to be active participants in His mission, serving as His hands and feet in the world. By doing so, we reflect His love to those around us, making a tangible difference in their lives. [12:41]
"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 John 4:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's love through you today? What specific action can you take to serve them and reflect His love?
Quotes
"Love is why Christ came. Not just because God so loved the world. But also because this woman named Mary loved her little baby. Love came forth. Because God's desire was for us to live. And not die. And so the question that I want to invite you to ponder today family. Is are you living? Are you living?" [00:01:51] (39 seconds)
"Because Christ incarnated himself came alive and lived a full human life. And gave up his life just so that you and I could find life. This means that from the moment that you are born again into a new life and from that moment, you never perish. Though this body, this temple may fade away." [00:02:30] (26 seconds)
"Jesus came that you might have life and have it what? Not so that you would just exist. Did not come just so that you could get that nice flat screen TV. I was getting ready to say from Circuit City, but from Best Buy. He did not come just so that you could have the latest iPhone or iPad." [00:03:11] (31 seconds)
"Not just going through the rigmarole too many of us are caught up in the rhythm of routines the endless grind the mundane cycle of days and that look the same after the same and feel the same but when we accept Jesus, Oh, I have found that there's a whole nother kind of life." [00:04:16] (22 seconds)
"Existing is surviving, but living is thriving. Existence is defined by fear, but living is marked by faith. Fear is the thief of life. It whispers in your ear, stay in your comfort zone. Don't take risk. Play. It's safe. But faith boldly tells us, step out the boat, walk on the water and believe that Jesus is going to hold you up." [00:06:46] (39 seconds)
"When we exist, we let fear dictate our choices. We avoid challenges, we cling to what's familiar and we never move beyond our limitations. But when we live by faith, we trust in God's promises. In other words, I don't know how God's going to do it, but I believe God's going to do it." [00:07:25] (21 seconds)
"When we live by faith we trust in God's promises we move mountains we dream God-sized dreams and we boldly proclaim I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength when we embrace God's love we walk by faith and not by sight love is here but existing is surviving but living is thriving." [00:08:13] (25 seconds)
"Existing is about getting through the day but living is about impacting eternity. What credentials can I get today? What accolades can I get today? What can I add to my resume today? What can I do that will cause men and women to like me today? Oh, but when you start living, you realize that only what you do for Christ." [00:08:47] (51 seconds)
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