Living Out Faith Through Sincere Brotherly Love

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the theme "From Holy Living to Holy Loving," drawing from 1 Peter 1:20-25. We explored the profound truth that God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives call us to live out our faith through sincere brotherly love. This love is not merely an emotion but a command and an act of the will, rooted in our spiritual rebirth. As believers, we are called to love one another earnestly and from a pure heart, reflecting the love that God has shown us.

We acknowledged the challenges and trials faced by our church community this week, including surgeries, health issues, and the loss of loved ones. These situations remind us of the importance of the body of believers coming together in support and prayer. Our church's involvement in community outreach, such as the upcoming Fall Festival and the East Texas Food Bank distribution, exemplifies our commitment to living out this love in practical ways.

The sermon emphasized that love is a command, not an option, and it flows from our new life in Christ. It is a love that must be earnest and pure, not half-hearted or insincere. We are reminded that our ability to love others is a reflection of our discipleship and spiritual growth. The message challenged us to examine our own hearts and attitudes, seeking God's help to love others, even when it is difficult.

In practical terms, we were encouraged to show brotherly love by asking God to reveal any contrary ways in our lives, praying for those we have issues with, releasing people from our expectations, and focusing on the person rather than the topic of disagreement. We were reminded that forgiveness and kindness are essential components of this love, and that meeting the needs of others can break down barriers and open doors for sharing the gospel.

As we move forward, let us strive to embody this holy love in our daily lives, supporting one another and reaching out to those in need, all while reflecting the love of Christ to the world around us.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Faithfulness and Our Response: God's unwavering faithfulness calls us to respond with a life of gratitude and worship. Even when life is challenging, we are reminded that all things work together for good for those who love God. This truth should be our anthem, guiding us to trust in His goodness and purpose. [26:38]

2. From Holy Living to Holy Loving: Our journey from holy living to holy loving involves moving beyond personal piety to actively loving others. This love is not just a feeling but a command, requiring intentionality and sincerity. It is a reflection of our spiritual rebirth and a crucial aspect of our discipleship. [32:20]

3. The Power of Community: The body of believers plays a vital role in supporting one another through life's challenges. Our church community is a place where we can bring our burdens, knowing that we will be lifted up in prayer and love. This communal support is a testament to the love of Christ in action. [29:05]

4. Practical Steps to Love: Loving others, especially when it's difficult, requires us to seek God's help in revealing our own shortcomings, praying for those we struggle with, and releasing unrealistic expectations. By focusing on the person rather than the issue, we can build bridges and demonstrate Christ's love. [53:36]

5. Forgiveness and Kindness: Forgiveness is a powerful act that frees us from bitterness and aligns us with God's will. Showing kindness and meeting the needs of others can break down barriers and open hearts to the gospel. These acts of love are essential in reflecting the character of Christ to the world. [01:00:12]

Youtube Chapters:

[0:00] - Welcome
[26:05] - God's Faithfulness
[26:38] - All Things Work Together
[27:23] - Children's Church Dismissal
[29:05] - Community Prayer Needs
[32:20] - From Holy Living to Holy Loving
[34:28] - Reading of 1 Peter 1:20-25
[36:19] - Brotherly Love Explained
[44:15] - Love as a Command
[46:54] - Love and Friendship
[47:56] - Love Flows from Rebirth
[49:23] - Earnest and Pure Love
[50:52] - Practical Application of Love
[53:36] - Steps to Show Love
[01:00:12] - Forgiveness and Kindness
[01:04:05] - Time of Response and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: From Holy Living to Holy Loving

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 1:20-25
- Romans 8:28
- John 13:35

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 Peter 1:22, what is the relationship between obedience to the truth and brotherly love?
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of love that believers are called to exhibit? [36:19]
3. What examples of community support were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they reflect the theme of brotherly love? [29:05]
4. What are the two prerequisites for sincere brotherly love mentioned in the sermon? [36:19]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "holy loving" differ from "holy living," and why is it important for believers to transition from one to the other? [32:20]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love is a command rather than an option for believers? [44:15]
3. How does the sermon explain the connection between spiritual rebirth and the ability to love others earnestly? [47:56]
4. What role does forgiveness play in the expression of brotherly love, according to the sermon? [01:00:12]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you found it difficult to love someone. How can you apply the sermon’s advice to pray for that person and release them from your expectations? [55:21]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community support. How can you actively participate in supporting someone in your church community this week? [29:05]
3. Consider a relationship in your life where there has been hurt or misunderstanding. What steps can you take to focus on the person rather than the topic of disagreement? [56:42]
4. How can you practice earnest and pure love in your daily interactions, especially with those who may not share your beliefs or values? [49:23]
5. Identify a specific need in your community that you can help meet. How can this act of kindness open doors for sharing the gospel? [01:01:00]
6. Think about a time when you struggled to forgive someone. What practical steps can you take to work towards forgiveness, even if the other person hasn’t asked for it? [01:00:12]
7. How can you ensure that your love for others is a reflection of your discipleship and spiritual growth? What changes might you need to make in your life to align with this goal? [47:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Responding to God's Faithfulness with Gratitude
God's faithfulness is a constant in our lives, calling us to respond with gratitude and worship. Even in the midst of life's challenges, we are reminded that all things work together for good for those who love God. This truth should guide us to trust in His goodness and purpose. As we navigate our daily lives, let us remember that our response to God's faithfulness is not just about acknowledging His goodness but living a life that reflects gratitude and worship. This involves trusting Him even when circumstances are difficult and believing that He is working for our good. [26:38]

"For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you express gratitude to God today, even if you are facing challenges?

Day 2: From Personal Piety to Active Love
Our journey from holy living to holy loving involves moving beyond personal piety to actively loving others. This love is not just a feeling but a command, requiring intentionality and sincerity. It is a reflection of our spiritual rebirth and a crucial aspect of our discipleship. As believers, we are called to love one another earnestly and from a pure heart, reflecting the love that God has shown us. This means that our faith is not just about personal holiness but about how we treat others, demonstrating the love of Christ in our interactions. [32:20]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally show genuine love to someone in your life today, moving beyond just personal piety?

Day 3: The Role of Community in Supporting One Another
The body of believers plays a vital role in supporting one another through life's challenges. Our church community is a place where we can bring our burdens, knowing that we will be lifted up in prayer and love. This communal support is a testament to the love of Christ in action. When we face trials, it is important to lean on our community for support and to be there for others in their time of need. This mutual support strengthens our faith and reflects the love of Christ to the world. [29:05]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to today to offer support or encouragement?

Day 4: Practical Steps to Love Others
Loving others, especially when it's difficult, requires us to seek God's help in revealing our own shortcomings, praying for those we struggle with, and releasing unrealistic expectations. By focusing on the person rather than the issue, we can build bridges and demonstrate Christ's love. This involves a conscious effort to love earnestly and from a pure heart, even when it is challenging. It is through these practical steps that we can truly reflect the love of Christ in our daily interactions. [53:36]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you find difficult to love? How can you take a practical step today to show them love?

Day 5: The Power of Forgiveness and Kindness
Forgiveness is a powerful act that frees us from bitterness and aligns us with God's will. Showing kindness and meeting the needs of others can break down barriers and open hearts to the gospel. These acts of love are essential in reflecting the character of Christ to the world. As we strive to embody holy love in our daily lives, let us remember that forgiveness and kindness are not just optional but essential components of our faith. They allow us to demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways. [01:00:12]

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or show kindness to today? How can you take a step towards doing so?

Quotes

1. "And I think that Peter is building on the concept of how good God is. Peter is addressing... The church, he's addressing believers. And he's saying, as we've seen throughout this book so far, he's saying, because God has been so good to you, because God is so good, you've seen this in your life, now let's live it out in a particularly powerful way. This has been a challenging week and also a week of praise in our church." [28:00] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We've been talking a lot about holy living over these last couple of passages. And one thing that God has prompted my heart with in looking at this text is that sometimes, and I've been guilty of this. And maybe that's why it resonates so much with me. Is that you get so focused on the holy living and getting everything lined up. Getting that quiet time lined up. Checking the boxes on the things that you need to be doing. Attending worship and Bible study and all those kind of things. That sometimes we get so weary in well doing that we forget that we're supposed to bring people along with us." [32:20] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Love is a command not an option. It's not a choice it's a command if we're going to follow Christ then we must love we must exhibit this brotherly love love is an act of the will not just an emotion if you can recall back to when you first fell in love with your sweetie and you didn't even have to think about it You were thinking about them all the time and it was just, oh, it was just wonderful. And I'm not saying it's not wonderful now. I'm just saying when you're in that emotional state, it's just like, oh man, it's just, it's all ooey gooey and all that. It's great, right?" [44:15] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Love flows from spiritual rebirth. Our ability to love others comes from our new life in Christ. We love because we have first been loved by God. John 13, 35 says, by this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. I've heard that testimony before. Those people at that church can't even get along. Why in the world would I want to have anything to do with that? The way that we love one another communicates quicker than anything else." [47:56] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Love must be earnest and pure. This is a statement I wrote, half-hearted or sincere love is not enough. We are called to love intentionally and from pure motives. The illustration I use here is that of the Pharisees. It's the contrast. As Jesus spoke to them in Luke chapter 11, but woe to you Pharisees, you tithe mint and rue and every herb and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done without neglecting the others." [49:23] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Sometimes loving people is hard. So how do I show brotherly love when someone has hurt me? How do I show brotherly love when there's been those hurtful words, maybe even abuse that's happened in my life? How do I show brotherly love when I've been betrayed, when others are gossiping about me, when there's been a compromise in a relationship? How do I show brotherly love when I disagree with someone's position on a political issue or some sort of ideology or maybe a difference of opinion or maybe some doctrinal difference that we have?" [51:43] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Ask God to reveal any ways contrary to his. That's my first step, is go to God and say, God, reveal me any way in my life, any thought pattern, any behavior that's in my life that is contrary to your plan for my life, contrary to your word. Reveal that to me, and God, I want to submit that to you. Psalm 51 is a great passage that comes from David as he had a moral failure and he repented. And Psalm 51 is basically his repentance coming to God. In chapter 51, verse 10, he says, create in me a clean heart, O God." [53:36] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Forgive, forgive, forgive. You've been hurt and you're just waiting for them to call them crawling back to you. Or on the other side, you say, I hope I never see that person ever again. I get it. I've been on both of those. It's not a good place to be. It's also not a good place to be. It's not biblical. The Bible tells me to forgive, even if they haven't asked me. So that's what I need to work on, is forgiving that person." [59:20] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?