Living Out Christ's Love in Community

Devotional

Day 1: Love Is Active and Self-Sacrificing

True love is not just a feeling or affectionate words, but a steady, self-sacrificing desire for the ultimate good of others, modeled perfectly by God who loved us first and demonstrated that love through Christ’s sacrifice. As recipients of God’s love, we are called to put love into action—caring for others, seeking their good, and letting our lives reflect the love that God has poured into us. This love is not transactional or self-interested, but freely given, just as we have freely received from God. When we love in this way, we become living testimonies of God’s grace, drawing others to Him through our actions and relationships. [44:39]

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Reflection: Who is one person you can show self-sacrificing love to this week, not out of obligation but as a response to God’s love for you?

Day 2: Devotion to the Word, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, and Prayer

The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer, forming a community marked by unity, generosity, and awe at God’s work. These four marks—learning from God’s Word, sharing life together, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, and praying both privately and together—are still essential for the church today. When we gather around these practices, we are shaped by God’s truth, encouraged by one another, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live differently from the world, reflecting Christ in all we do. [44:39]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Reflection: Which of these four practices—Word, fellowship, breaking bread, or prayer—do you most need to grow in, and what is one step you can take this week to deepen your devotion?

Day 3: Freely You Have Received, Freely Give

Generosity and service are the natural outflow of a heart transformed by Christ, as we move away from self-centeredness and toward self-giving love. Jesus calls us to give freely because we have freely received from Him, and there is joy in both giving and receiving within the body of Christ. This kind of generosity is not reserved for times of crisis but is meant to be a regular part of our lives—taking the initiative to care, serve, and bless others in practical ways, big or small, as the Holy Spirit leads. [01:06:09]

Matthew 10:8b (ESV)
"Freely you have received; freely give."

Reflection: What is one practical act of generosity or service you can initiate for someone in your community this week, simply because God has given so much to you?

Day 4: Growing in Grace and Knowledge Together

Spiritual growth happens best in community, as we encourage, support, and challenge one another to become more like Jesus. By participating in small groups, classes, and shared meals, we deepen our relationship with God and with each other, learning from different experiences and perspectives. The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone; God uses the church and our relationships to help us grow in grace and knowledge, equipping us to live out our faith in everyday life. [01:08:20]

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Reflection: Who in your church family can you intentionally connect with this week to encourage or be encouraged in your walk with Christ?

Day 5: The World Will Know Us by Our Love

Jesus gave His followers a new command: to love one another as He has loved us, making our love for each other the defining mark of His disciples. When we love each other well—through forgiveness, care, and genuine community—those outside the church are drawn to the difference they see, and we point them to Jesus. Our love for one another is both a witness to the world and a reflection of the love we have received from Christ, calling us to continually seek ways to build up and serve the family of God. [01:08:20]

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 way you can intentionally show Christlike love to a fellow believer this week, so that others might see Jesus through your actions?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate the gift of life, the beauty of community, and the call to love as Christ loves us. We began by dedicating young Eliana, recognizing that every life is a miracle and that it takes a whole church family to nurture faith in the next generation. On this Mother’s Day, we reflected on the wisdom of children about love, reminding ourselves that true love is not just affectionate feeling but a steady desire for another’s ultimate good. This is the kind of love God has for us—a love that acts, that sacrifices, and that seeks our Christlikeness above all else.

Looking to Acts 2:42-47, we saw how the early church embodied this love through four essential practices: devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. These are not just ancient traditions but living marks of a Spirit-filled community. We are called to be shaped by God’s Word, to live differently from the world, and to let our priorities, speech, and actions reflect the kingdom of God. Fellowship is more than just fun; it is the antidote to isolation, a way to share burdens, joys, and practical needs. The breaking of bread, both in meals and in the Lord’s Supper, grounds us in the story of Jesus and reminds us that our lives are shaped by his sacrifice. Prayer, both private and public, keeps us dependent on the Holy Spirit, aligning our hearts with God’s will and empowering us to live as heaven-and-earth people.

We celebrated the ways our church family has lived out this calling, especially in caring for those in need, like the Plucinic family. Real love takes initiative, not waiting for crisis but looking for everyday opportunities to serve, encourage, and bless. We heard Chelsea’s testimony of how stepping into deeper involvement—serving, joining small groups, and sharing life—has led to spiritual growth and a sense of belonging. This is the life Jesus calls us to: a life of self-sacrificing love that draws others in, a life where we freely give because we have freely received.

As we come to the Lord’s Table, we are invited to ask God what our next step is in loving our Christian family. Whether it’s joining a group, serving, or simply reaching out to someone in need, we are called to let God’s grace flow through us, so that the world may know we are his disciples by our love for one another.

Key Takeaways

1. Love is more than a feeling; it is a steady, active desire for another’s ultimate good. God’s love for us is demonstrated in Christ’s sacrifice, and our love for others should reflect that same self-giving nature. When we love with this intention, we participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. [44:39]
2. The four marks of a Spirit-filled community—devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer—are not optional add-ons but essential practices that shape us into Christ’s likeness. These habits form the foundation of a church that is both rooted in the gospel and responsive to the needs of its members. [44:39]
3. Fellowship is God’s answer to the enemy’s tool of isolation. By sharing life, burdens, and joys with one another, we break the lie that we are alone in our struggles. True Christian community is built not just in rows on Sunday but in circles of friendship, support, and accountability throughout the week. [44:39]
4. Real love takes initiative and is not reserved for times of crisis. Everyday acts of kindness—delivering a meal, offering help, reaching out with a text—are powerful expressions of Christlike love. The Holy Spirit guides us in these moments, inviting us to move from self-interest to self-sacrifice. [66:09]
5. Spiritual growth and belonging flourish when we step out of our comfort zones and engage in the life of the church. As Chelsea’s testimony shows, serving and participating in small groups lead to deeper relationships with God and others. The “one another” commands of the New Testament are lived out as we pray, encourage, and build each other up, making the love of Christ visible to the world. [68:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Dedication of Eliana and Family
[03:10] - Reflections on Mother’s Day and Children’s Wisdom
[07:00] - What Is Love? Insights from Children and C.S. Lewis
[10:20] - God’s Love in Action: Christ’s Sacrifice
[13:00] - The Early Church: Acts 2:42-47
[17:30] - The Four Marks of the Church
[22:00] - The Importance of God’s Word and Living Differently
[27:00] - Fellowship: The Antidote to Isolation
[32:00] - Breaking Bread: Meals and the Lord’s Supper
[36:00] - The Power of Prayer in Community
[40:00] - Life-Giving Relationships at Grace Church
[44:39] - Real Love Takes Initiative
[50:00] - Testimony: Chelsea’s Journey into Deeper Involvement
[68:20] - The “One Another” Life and Jesus’ New Command
[72:00] - Invitation to Communion and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 2:42-47 — They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

- John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

- 2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 2:42-47, what were the four main practices of the early church community?
In John 13:34-35, what does Jesus say will show the world that we are his disciples?
What are some specific ways the early believers shared life and met each other’s needs, as described in Acts 2:44-45?
In the sermon, what examples were given of how our church family has cared for people in need? ([44:39])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the early church devoted themselves to these four practices (teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer)? What difference did it make in their lives and community?
Jesus says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” What does it mean for our love to reflect Christ’s love in practical terms? ([01:08:20])
The sermon mentioned that fellowship is “God’s answer to the enemy’s tool of isolation.” Why is isolation so dangerous for believers, and how does true fellowship help? ([27:00])
Chelsea’s testimony described spiritual growth and belonging through serving and joining small groups. Why do you think stepping out of our comfort zones leads to deeper relationships with God and others? ([01:08:20])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Real love takes initiative and is not reserved for times of crisis.” Think of a simple, everyday way you could show Christlike love to someone this week. What’s one step you can take? ([44:39])
Acts 2:46 says the early believers “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” When was the last time you shared a meal with someone from church outside of Sunday? How could you make space for more of this kind of fellowship?
The sermon challenged us to let God’s Word shape our priorities, speech, and actions. Is there an area of your life where you feel more influenced by the world than by God’s Word? What’s one change you could make this week? ([22:00])
Chelsea shared that joining a small group and serving helped her grow spiritually and feel like she belonged. If you’re not already involved in a group or serving, what’s holding you back? If you are, how has it impacted your faith? ([01:08:20])
The “one another” commands in the New Testament call us to pray for, encourage, and build each other up. Who is one person in our church family you could reach out to this week to encourage or support? ([01:08:20])
The sermon mentioned that the Holy Spirit guides us in loving others. How can you be more attentive to the Spirit’s promptings in your daily life? ([44:39])
As we come to the Lord’s Table, the pastor invited us to ask God, “What is my next step in loving my Christian family?” Take a moment to pray and share with the group what you sense God might be asking you to do. ([01:12:00])

Sermon Clips

As christians our lives should look different from the culture around us we should speak differently not just what we say but even how we say it we should spend our time and our money differently as christians as believers we should have different priorities than the world and as we live with god's word is the standard of our lives and actions that that's important. [00:50:12] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

We are empowered to go into our everyday lives and speak truth and love so that we can be in the world but not of the world right that's that's our calling that's what jesus prayed for us that we would be in the world but we wouldn't be polluted by it we would look different people would say something's different about that person and how they handle the different situations of their life and you know how they celebrate and and what's important to them. [00:51:36] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

We can't just go about life making our own decisions and doing our own things we're going to run out of energy we may make a mistake and even if we do all the good things without the spirit's leading it just can't last that long we're not that good in and of ourselves we are dependent on the holy spirit to show us when to speak when to listen when to go slow. [00:57:43] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

See real love takes the initiative in relationships that's relationships with our family with our neighbors with our co -workers and our friends real love takes the initiative so just a thought and you would have a bazillion ideas beyond this i mean you can deliver a friend dinner just because they don't have to be having a baby i mean most of us are only doing that a few times in life you know um hopefully nothing bad has to happen you don't have to be sick deliver a friend dinner just because. [01:00:44] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

This is self -sacrificing love voluntary sharing is a sign of the move away from self -centeredness that marks a spirit -filled life when I start thinking less of myself and more of others I am living in the power of the spirit and living according to the fruit of the spirit because see what we learn from the word the kinds of things that we learn when we come together is that the essence of sin is self -interest but Jesus went the way of self -sacrifice and so if we're going to be Jesus people we must too. [01:02:14] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

There's an attractiveness to this way of life that I believe draws people in I think when people see folks living like this I think they want to be a part of that I think most everybody wants to be known and to belong and those things make you want to be a part of these self -sacrificing Jesus people you see the benefits that you get from being a part of the family of God are so much more than the sacrifice that any of us will ever give so important and it even works for introverts. [01:03:49] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

The rest of the New Testament, again, another sermon for another day, is littered with one another passages that call all of us as believers to pray for one another. To encourage one another.another to build each other up to confess our faults to each other to be devoted to one another to serve each other and more these are all the ways that we can show god's love and learn and grow this is what he is calling us to. [01:09:57] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

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