Living in Love and Light: A Christian Call
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of love and light in my Christian journey. The sermon emphasized the significance of love, not just as an emotion, but as a duty and a debt that can never be fully paid. This love is not only directed towards God but also towards our neighbors. The sermon challenged me to reflect on my love for God and how it translates to my love for others. It encouraged me to grow in my love for God, which will in turn kindle my heart to love others.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of living in the light. It called for alertness and awareness of the time we live in, reminding me of the brevity of life and the impending return of Christ. It urged me to live in the light of Christ's resurrection and to be mindful of His nearing return. The sermon also emphasized the need to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, which is an intimate relationship with Christ.
Key takeaways:
- Love is not just an emotion but a duty and a debt that can never be fully paid. This love should be directed towards God and our neighbors. #!!31:11!!#
- We need to live in the light of Christ's resurrection and be mindful of His nearing return. This will help us to be alert and aware of the time we live in. #!!57:23!!#
- We should cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, which is an intimate relationship with Christ. This involves living in a way that reflects God's love, truth, and righteousness. #!!58:25!!#
- We need to be willing to sacrifice for the good of others, reflecting God's love for us. This requires us to wake up from our spiritual slumber and live in the light. #!!01:02:28!!#
- We should not continue in sin and live in darkness when we have the freedom of Christ. Instead, we should confess and turn from our sins, casting off the deeds of darkness. #!!01:03:38!!#
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 13:12-14 - "The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." #!!01:05:56!!#
2. Ephesians 5:11 - "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." #!!01:09:01!!#
3. Philippians 2:15 - "That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." #!!01:18:52!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" in Romans 13:12-14?
2. How does Ephesians 5:11 instruct us to respond to the "unfruitful works of darkness"?
3. In Philippians 2:15, what does it mean to "shine as lights in the world"?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the "armor of light" relate to the character and nature of Jesus Christ?
2. What are some practical ways we can "expose" the unfruitful works of darkness in our lives and communities?
3. How can we "shine as lights in the world" in our daily lives and interactions with others?
Application Questions:
1. What are some specific "works of darkness" you need to cast off in your life? How can you replace them with the "armor of light"?
2. Can you identify a situation in your life where you can expose an unfruitful work of darkness? How can you approach this in a loving and Christ-like manner?
3. Who are some people in your life that you can shine as a light to? What are some specific ways you can demonstrate the love and righteousness of Christ to them this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating the Soul's Field
Our lives are like a field that requires constant tilling and care. If we neglect the deep-tilling of our souls, the field will overgrow with weeds, becoming so overgrown that we may not want to touch it anymore. We must move from asking if we can live a certain way and will God forgive us, to asking should we live this way and how would God want us to live in the light of Christ ([01:05:56]).
Proverbs 24:30-34 - "I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw."
Reflection: Reflect on the state of your spiritual field. What weeds need to be pulled out and what seeds need to be planted?
Day 2: Clothe Yourself in Christ
We are called to put on Christ, to wrap ourselves in Him. This is not just about acting like Christ for a moment and then moving on. It's about having Christ around us, acknowledging that God is with us always. It's about turning to Christ for strength and wrapping ourselves in His righteousness ([01:06:43]).
Galatians 3:27 - "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Reflection: How can you more fully clothe yourself in Christ in your daily life?
Day 3: Love Thy Neighbor
We are called to love our neighbors, to seek their well-being. This love is not just about doing good deeds, but about having a relationship with God who died for us. It's about submitting to His righteousness and seeking ultimate good ([56:35]).
Leviticus 19:18 - "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."
Reflection: How can you show love to your neighbors this week?
Day 4: Live in the Light
We are called to live in the light, to be awake and alert. We are passing through this world, building our lives not on what we see, but on God's love, truth, and righteousness. We are called to live in the power of Christ's resurrection and the mindful light of His nearing return ([59:16]).
Ephesians 5:8 - "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."
Reflection: How can you live more fully in the light of Christ's resurrection and return?
Day 5: Put on the Armor of Light
We are called to put on the armor of light, to navigate the darkness with the protection and guidance of God. This is not just about physical battles, but about the daily struggle of spiritual warfare. We are called to shine bright for Christ, to bring the armor of light into the dark places of our world ([01:10:05]).
Romans 13:12 - "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."
Reflection: How can you put on the armor of light in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "We are church. A community with open doors. Serving the poor. Living for more. We are broken people. We unite cause. An unbroken love." - 03:04
2. "We need to move from asking the question, can I live this certain way and will God forgive me? And we need to move it to should I? Or how would God want me to live in the light of Christ?" - 01:05:56
3. "Would we act differently if we acknowledge that God is with us always? Would we act differently? Would those deeds of darkness instead of diving into them more and more? Would we turn to Christ for strength?" - 01:06:43
4. "As we start a new season as a church, maybe as an individual, there's a lot of things kicking off in your life. And let's not neglect the room that we need for our Savior to come and do what he can do." - 19:54
5. "Just as a soldier puts on his armor of light to navigate the night. Do not go to school, do not teach in your classroom, without the armor of light on. Navigating you with challenges and temptations, put on the armor of Christ." - 01:12:52
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