Living in Love: The Spirit-Led Life
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the heart of what it means to live as followers of Christ, particularly focusing on the essence of love and the Spirit-led life. We began by acknowledging the political climate and the potential for it to distract us from our primary calling. It is imperative that we are led by the Holy Spirit, not by a political spirit or any other influence that may seek to divide or puff us up with knowledge without love.
We examined the dangerous progression from a healthy interest in politics to distraction, addiction, and idolatry. This progression can lead us away from our devotion to Christ, our mission, and our relationships with others. We must guard against allowing our political opinions to become weapons that threaten the unity of the body of Christ.
The core of our message centered on the transformative power of love, specifically agape love, which is selfless, sacrificial, and not based on the merit of the one being loved. This love is a command from Jesus, a mandate for us to live by. It is the love that defines us as His disciples and is the bedrock of our shared life in the community of believers.
We were reminded that this agape love is not something we muster up on our own; it is a divine outpouring from God through the Holy Spirit. It is abundant, effusive, and available to us as we open ourselves to the Spirit's work within us. We are called to love one another deeply, as this love covers a multitude of sins and sustains our corporate life.
In closing, we were encouraged to take practical steps to ensure that love remains central in our lives. We were invited to participate in a class on the "one anothers" of the New Testament, which will help us understand and apply these principles in our daily interactions.
Key Takeaways:
1. Being led by the Holy Spirit is paramount, especially in times of political intensity. We must ensure that our opinions and interests do not become idols that distract us from our true mission. The Spirit guides us into all truth and unity, helping us to maintain our focus on Jesus and His kingdom. [58:26]
2. Agape love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ. This selfless, sacrificial love is not based on the worthiness of its recipient but flows from the very nature of God. As believers, we are called to embody this love in all our relationships, demonstrating the reality of God's presence in our lives. [01:29:44]
3. The local church is the context in which the 'one another' commands of the New Testament are to be lived out. We are joined to a family of believers by God's grace, and it is within this community that we practice the love and mutual edification commanded by Scripture. [01:16:03]
4. Knowledge without love leads to pride, but love edifies and builds up the body of Christ. We must approach our understanding and opinions with humility, recognizing that love is the greater pursuit and the true measure of wisdom. [01:05:06]
5. Love is not a fragile emotion but a robust, enduring commitment that weathers all storms. It is not dependent on perfect conditions but persists through trials, offenses, and even betrayal. This love never fails and is the hallmark of a vibrant, healthy faith community. [01:26:30]
May we all take these insights to heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to renew a right spirit within us, leading us into deeper love for one another, and empowering us to live out the transformative commands of Christ in our daily lives.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3: "Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that 'all of us possess knowledge.' This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God."
2. John 13:34-35: "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."
3. Romans 5:5: "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, what is the difference between knowledge and love? How does each affect the community of believers?
2. In John 13:34-35, what command does Jesus give to His disciples, and what is the significance of this command in identifying His followers?
3. Romans 5:5 mentions a specific way God's love is given to us. How is this love described, and through whom is it poured into our hearts?
4. The sermon mentioned a "dangerous progression" related to political interests. What are the stages of this progression, and how can they impact one's spiritual life? [01:00:12]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" from 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 apply to the way we handle our opinions and beliefs within the church community? [01:05:06]
2. Jesus' command to love one another in John 13:34-35 is described as a new commandment. Why is this commandment considered new, and how does it differ from previous teachings on love?
3. Romans 5:5 speaks of God's love being poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. How does this divine outpouring enable believers to love one another deeply and sacrificially, as described in the sermon? [01:29:44]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit rather than a political spirit. What are some practical ways believers can ensure they are being led by the Holy Spirit in times of political intensity? [58:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any political opinions or interests that have become distractions or even idols for you? How can you realign your focus to be led by the Holy Spirit instead? [01:00:12]
2. Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. Think of a specific relationship in your life where you can demonstrate this agape love more fully. What practical steps can you take this week to show selfless, sacrificial love in that relationship? [01:24:33]
3. The sermon mentioned that love is not a fragile emotion but a robust, enduring commitment. Can you identify a situation where your love has been tested? How can you strengthen your commitment to love in the face of trials and offenses? [01:26:30]
4. The local church is the context for living out the "one another" commands of the New Testament. How can you actively participate in your church community to practice these commands, especially in loving and encouraging one another? [01:16:03]
5. Knowledge without love leads to pride, but love builds up the body of Christ. How can you approach your understanding and opinions with humility, ensuring that love remains the greater pursuit? [01:05:06]
6. The sermon encouraged us to take practical steps to ensure that love remains central in our lives. What is one specific action you can take this week to cultivate a spirit of love in your daily interactions, whether at home, work, or church? [01:29:44]
7. Reflect on the idea of resetting to the "default" of love. Is there an area in your life where you need to ask God to restore your heart to its original state of love? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to renew and refresh your love today? [01:38:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Spirit-Led Beyond Politics
In a world where political fervor can easily consume our thoughts and conversations, it is crucial to remember that the Holy Spirit is the true guide for a believer's life. The Spirit leads into all truth, fostering unity and keeping the focus on Jesus and His kingdom. When political opinions and interests start to dominate, they can become idols, distracting from the mission Christ has set before His followers. It is essential to remain vigilant, ensuring that these opinions do not become divisive weapons within the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit's role is to lead believers into a life that transcends political allegiances, anchoring them in the eternal purposes of God's kingdom [58:26].
Galatians 5:25 says, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." This passage encourages believers to align their lives with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, rather than being swayed by the changing winds of political discourse.
Reflection: How can you ensure that your political opinions do not hinder your walk with the Holy Spirit and your unity with other believers?
Day 2: Agape Love Defines Discipleship
Agape love, the selfless and sacrificial love that flows from the nature of God, is the hallmark of a true disciple of Christ. This love is not contingent on the worthiness of its recipient but is a divine outpouring that believers are called to embody in all relationships. It is a love that demonstrates the reality of God's presence in the lives of His people. As followers of Christ, one is not simply to feel this love but to actively live it out, impacting the world around them with the love that has been freely given to them by God [01:29:44].
1 John 4:11-12 teaches, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." This passage underscores the importance of loving others as a reflection of God's love for us.
Reflection: In what practical ways can you demonstrate agape love to someone in your life today, regardless of their response or behavior?
Day 3: Community as the Context for Commandments
The 'one another' commands of the New Testament are not meant to be practiced in isolation but within the context of a faith community. The local church serves as the family of believers where these commands are lived out. It is in this setting that individuals can practice love, encouragement, service, and forgiveness, as instructed by Scripture. By God's grace, believers are joined together to support and edify one another, reflecting the unity and diversity of the body of Christ [01:16:03].
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages, "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." This passage highlights the importance of gathering together to inspire and motivate one another in the faith.
Reflection: What is one way you can contribute to the spiritual growth of someone else in your church community this week?
Day 4: Love Over Knowledge
Knowledge is valuable, but without love, it can lead to pride and a lack of edification within the church. Love is the greater pursuit and the true measure of wisdom. It is through love that believers can build up the body of Christ, fostering a community that is strong and nurturing. Approaching understanding and opinions with humility allows love to take precedence, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge is always coupled with the goal of loving others well [01:05:06].
1 Corinthians 8:1b-3 states, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God." This passage reminds believers that love is the essential ingredient that should accompany all knowledge and understanding.
Reflection: Can you identify an area where you may have valued knowledge over love, and how can you address this imbalance today?
Day 5: Robust Love in All Seasons
Love, as described in the Scriptures, is not a fragile emotion but a robust, enduring commitment that persists through trials and tribulations. It is a love that is not dependent on perfect conditions but is steadfast in the face of challenges, offenses, and even betrayal. This enduring love is a testament to the strength of a faith community and the never-failing nature of God's love for His people [01:26:30].
Colossians 3:12-14 instructs, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." This passage calls believers to embody the virtues that enable love to thrive, even in difficult circumstances.
Reflection: Reflect on a challenging relationship in your life. How can you show Christ-like love in this situation, even if it's difficult?
Quotes
1) "Let's be led by the Holy Spirit and not by a political spirit... it's okay to have our political persuasions... but what's not okay is to weaponize them." [58:26](Download | Download)
2) "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up... if you think that you know something, you don't know as you ought to know." [01:05:06](Download | Download)
3) "Agape love is love that comes from within a person who loves and is not based on anything that the object of your love has done... it's sacrificial, it's love without hesitation." [01:28:59](Download | Download)
4) "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit whom he has given to us... it's like a waterfall that God's love is effusive, it's poured out through the Holy Spirit." [01:30:31](Download | Download)
5) "Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins... it's the primary foundational thing of our life together." [01:25:11](Download | Download)
6) "Love is not a hot house plant... love weathers the storms, gets bumped, can be betrayed, can be offended, can be crucified, but it keeps on loving." [01:26:30](Download | Download)
7) "The New Testament is not familiar with any other type of Christianity... the assumption is we're joined together to a local family of Believers and that's where we do these one anothers." [01:16:40](Download | Download)
8) "We are members of one another... if I cut my finger off and super glue it to my head, there will be no more life in the finger. It doesn't get it directly; it's not how it works." [01:20:34](Download | Download)
9) "The very nature of God is agape love... and through the agency of the Holy Spirit, God's love is poured into our hearts." [01:29:44](Download | Download)
10) "We have a mission from the Lord and we don't want to be distracted from that... our political interests... can move from distraction and then the next step unfortunately can be it can become an addiction." [01:02:08](Download | Download)
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