Living Out Love: Communion and Community in Christ
Summary
In my sermon, I began by lifting our voices in worship, acknowledging the depth of our love for Jesus and recognizing that our love for Him pales in comparison to His worthiness. I expressed gratitude for the wonderful Easter celebration we had, thanking everyone who served and attended despite the challenges of the busy holiday. I shared a humorous anecdote about pastors dealing with a bat infestation, using it to segue into the importance of community and connection within the church. I emphasized that while relationships can be difficult and messy, they are essential to living well as part of the body of Christ.
I then delved into the heart of the sermon, focusing on 1 John chapter 4 and the concept of communion with one another and with God. I highlighted that no one has seen God in His fullness, yet He invites us into a relationship with Him, which is inextricably linked to our love for one another. I cautioned against using the term "godly" too loosely, reserving it for Jesus alone, and urged the congregation to remember the majesty and holiness of God.
I continued by discussing the challenges of loving one another, especially when others' behaviors can be frustrating or hurtful. I shared personal experiences, including a story about a fellow teacher who was difficult to get along with, and how God used that situation to teach me about my own heart and the power of prayer. I stressed that our ability to love is not based on others' actions but on our own relationship with God and the condition of our hearts.
I explained that loving one another is a testament to our abiding in God and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. I pointed out that the fruit of the Spirit begins with love and that we need the Holy Spirit's help to truly love others. I connected this to the broader mission of the church, stating that our love for one another proves to the world that the Father has sent the Son, Jesus Christ.
As I moved towards the conclusion of the sermon, I prepared the congregation for communion, reminding them of the significance of this act for believers. I called for introspection and repentance, encouraging everyone to examine their hearts and relationships before partaking in the Lord's Supper. I closed with a prayer, asking for God's help to love as He loves and to be a light in the world that leads others to recognize the truth of the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
1. True worship of God is not just a song or a declaration; it is a lifestyle that overflows into our relationships with others. Our love for God is authenticated by our love for one another, and this love is not based on visibility or human understanding but on divine command and example. ([36:19])
2. The term "godly" should be used with reverence, reserved for the one true Godly man, Jesus Christ. Our relationship with God should always be approached with awe and humility, recognizing His transcendence and our privileged invitation to commune with Him. ([38:10])
3. Our capacity to love others, especially those who challenge us, is a reflection of our own spiritual health and our reliance on the Holy Spirit. It is not the behavior of others that should dictate our actions but the transformation of our own hearts through prayer and submission to God's will. ([01:03:30])
4. The church's unity and love are a powerful testimony to the world of the truth of the gospel. Our relationships within the body of Christ are not just for our benefit but serve a greater purpose in demonstrating the reality of Jesus' mission and the Father's love. ([45:42])
5. Communion is a sacred time for believers to remember Christ's sacrifice and to examine our hearts and relationships. It is an opportunity to realign ourselves with God's call to love and to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in living out that love daily. ([01:06:19])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 4:12-16 - "No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."
2. John 17:20-23 - "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."
3. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 4:12-16, what is the evidence that God abides in us? How is this connected to our love for one another?
2. In John 17:20-23, what does Jesus pray for concerning the unity of believers? How does this unity serve as a testimony to the world?
3. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, what does Paul say about the importance of love in relation to spiritual gifts and acts of service?
4. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned that our ability to love others is a reflection of our own spiritual health and reliance on the Holy Spirit. How does this align with the passages we read? ([33:30])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does John emphasize that no one has seen God at any time in 1 John 4:12? How does this statement relate to our love for one another? ([35:44])
2. How does Jesus' prayer in John 17:20-23 highlight the importance of unity among believers? What implications does this have for our relationships within the church? ([47:05])
3. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul stresses the necessity of love. How does this passage challenge our understanding of what it means to live a godly life?
4. The pastor shared a personal story about praying for a difficult colleague and how it changed his heart. What does this story teach us about the power of prayer and the condition of our hearts in loving others? ([01:03:30])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to love someone. How did you handle the situation, and what could you have done differently to rely more on the Holy Spirit? ([33:30])
2. Jesus prayed for the unity of believers in John 17:20-23. How can you contribute to the unity of your church community? Are there specific actions you can take to foster stronger relationships? ([47:05])
3. The pastor mentioned that our love for one another is a testament to the world of the truth of the gospel. How can you demonstrate this love in your daily interactions, especially with those who challenge you? ([45:42])
4. During the sermon, the pastor emphasized the importance of introspection and repentance before partaking in communion. How can you regularly examine your heart and relationships to ensure they align with God's call to love? ([01:06:19])
5. Think of a person in your life who tests your patience. What specific prayer can you say before your next interaction with them to prepare your heart to love them as God loves you? ([01:03:30])
6. The pastor shared a humorous anecdote about pastors dealing with a bat infestation to illustrate the importance of community. How can you actively seek and build meaningful connections within your church community? ([30:07])
7. Reflect on the term "godly" and how it should be reserved for Jesus alone. How does this understanding affect your view of your relationship with God and your approach to living a life of humility and reverence? ([38:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Worship Transforms Relationships
True worship extends beyond songs and declarations; it is a lifestyle that manifests in our interactions with others. Authentic worship is characterized by a love that is not contingent on human understanding or visibility but is a divine mandate exemplified by Jesus Christ. This love is a reflection of one's relationship with God and is evidenced in how one treats others, especially within the community of believers. It is a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional, mirroring the love that God has for humanity.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7 ESV
Reflection: How can your daily interactions reflect a heart of worship and a genuine love for others as an extension of your love for God? [36:19]
Day 2: Reverence in Relationship
Approaching God with reverence is essential, recognizing His holiness and the privilege of being invited into communion with Him. The term "godly" should be reserved for Jesus Christ alone, the one true Godly man. This reverence is a reminder of the majesty of God and the humility that should characterize one's relationship with Him. It is in this posture of awe and humility that one can truly appreciate the depth of God's love and the grace that allows for a personal relationship with the Creator.
"But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him." - Habakkuk 2:20 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God in your personal devotional life and in corporate worship? [38:10]
Day 3: Love Reflects Spiritual Health
The ability to love others, particularly those who are challenging, is a measure of one's spiritual health and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Love is not determined by the actions of others but by the transformation of one's own heart through prayer and submission to God's will. This divine love is patient and kind, not envious or boastful, and it seeks the good of others above oneself. It is through this love that one can truly demonstrate the character of Christ to the world.
"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." - John 13:34 ESV
Reflection: Who is someone you find difficult to love, and how can you ask the Holy Spirit to change your heart towards them today? [01:03:30]
Day 4: Unity as Gospel Testimony
The unity and love within the church serve as a powerful witness to the truth of the gospel. The way believers love one another not only benefits the community but also serves a greater purpose in demonstrating the reality of Jesus' mission and the Father's love. This love is not a mere sentiment but an active choice to live in harmony, bear one another's burdens, and encourage each other in the faith.
"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." - Colossians 3:14 ESV
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church community and demonstrate Christ's love to those outside of it? [45:42]
Day 5: Communion Invites Heart Examination
Communion is a sacred time for believers to remember Christ's sacrifice and to examine their hearts and relationships. It is an opportunity to realign with God's call to love and to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in living out that love daily. This act of remembrance is not just a ritual but a personal encounter with the grace of God, prompting believers to confess, repent, and commit to walking in love and forgiveness.
"Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." - 1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV
Reflection: Before your next communion, what is one area in your relationships that requires repentance and reconciliation? [01:06:19]
Quotes
[01:09:35]
"Love is based on others' actions, but on our own hearts' condition. When we love, we are reflecting the love of God within us, which is the essence of our relationship with Him. This love is not just a feeling or an emotion; it is a commandment from God to love one another as He has loved us. Our capacity to love others, especially those who challenge us, is a reflection of our own spiritual health and our reliance on the Holy Spirit. It is not the behavior of others that should dictate our actions but the transformation of our own hearts through prayer and submission to God's will."
[01:10:05]
"The Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world, and this truth is essential for us to grasp. Our relationship with God is not just about what we can get out of it but about how we can be a light in the world that leads others to recognize the truth of the gospel. We need the Holy Spirit's help to truly love others and to demonstrate the reality of Jesus' mission and the Father's love."
[01:10:35]
"The term 'godly' should be used with reverence, reserved for Jesus alone. Our relationship with God should be approached with awe and humility, recognizing His transcendence and our privileged invitation to commune with Him. We are called to live out our faith in a way that leads others to recognize the truth of the gospel, and this requires us to be vigilant in our love for one another."
[01:11:05]
"The challenges of loving one another are a testament to our own spiritual health and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. When we love others, we are proving to the world that the Father has sent the Son, and this love is a powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel. Our relationships within the body of Christ are not just for our benefit but serve a greater purpose in demonstrating the reality of Jesus' mission and the Father's love."
[01:11:35]
"As we approach communion, let us remember the significance of this act for believers. Communion is a time for us to remember Christ's sacrifice and to examine our hearts and relationships before partaking in the Lord's Supper. It is an opportunity for us to realign ourselves with God's call to love and to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in living out that love daily."
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