Living Out Love: The Essence of Discipleship
Summary
Summary:
Today, we embark on a journey to explore the essential practices of Christian life, using shapes as a metaphor to guide our understanding. We begin by reflecting on the nature of God as a loving and saving presence, not a punishing one, especially in times of disaster. Our focus is on discipleship, which involves loving God and loving people, as Jesus taught. This love is not optional but a commandment that defines our identity as followers of Christ. We are reminded that loving others can be both easy and challenging, but it is a fundamental aspect of our faith.
We delve into the concept of discipleship as being and doing like Jesus, emphasizing the importance of pouring out and filling up. Pouring out involves selflessly giving our time, energy, and resources to empower others, while filling up requires us to receive grace and strength from God and our community. This balance is crucial for a life that mirrors Christ.
The sermon introduces three core messages of Christian life, represented by the Celtic cross: loving God and people, pouring out and filling up, and unity with God and others. These messages form the foundation of our vocation, method, and goal as Christians. We are encouraged to examine our lives through these lenses, seeking balance and growth in our spiritual journey.
As we commission our leadership team, we are reminded of the responsibility and blessing of serving God and our community. We are called to live a life in Christ, making Him known through our actions and discipleship. The service concludes with a prayer for unity and a blessing, urging us to love deeply, seek justice, and embrace the unity of God and humanity.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Nature as Loving and Saving: In times of disaster, it's crucial to remember that God is not a punishing force but a loving and saving presence. Every person affected by tragedy is loved by God, and we are called to extend that love to others, regardless of their perceived worthiness. This understanding challenges us to reflect God's love in our actions and attitudes. [15:10]
2. The Command to Love: Jesus' command to love God and love people is non-optional and serves as an identifying mark of discipleship. This dual commandment is central to our faith and is expressed through our actions and relationships. It calls us to a life of intentional love, where our devotion to God is mirrored in our care for others. [34:06]
3. Pouring Out and Filling Up: The Christian life involves a rhythm of pouring out and filling up. Pouring out is about selflessly giving to empower others, while filling up involves receiving grace and strength from God and the community. This balance is essential for sustaining our spiritual journey and ensuring that our lives reflect Christ's love and service. [38:45]
4. Unity with God and Others: Unity is a core aspect of our Christian life, reflecting the relationship within the Trinity. We are invited into this unity, which transforms our lives to resemble Christ more closely. This unity is achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit and is expressed in our relationships with God and others. [44:07]
5. The Celtic Cross as a Guide: The Celtic cross serves as a visual representation of the essential practices of Christian life: loving God and people, pouring out and filling up, and unity with God and others. By examining our lives through these quadrants, we can identify areas of strength and challenge, seeking balance and growth in our spiritual journey. [45:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:14] - Introduction to Discipleship
- [15:10] - God's Nature: Love and Salvation
- [20:15] - The Ten Best Ways to Live
- [21:43] - The Challenge of Love
- [26:08] - Baking and Spiritual Practices
- [27:08] - Christianity as a Lifestyle
- [28:20] - Encountering Christ
- [29:21] - Understanding Discipleship
- [30:33] - The Walk: Essential Practices
- [31:40] - Fundamental Questions of Life
- [32:18] - Clarity in Christian Living
- [33:20] - Three Core Messages
- [34:06] - The Great Commandment
- [36:40] - Pouring Out and Filling Up
- [40:27] - Unity with God and Others
- [44:07] - The Why of Christian Life
- [45:06] - The Celtic Cross and Balance
- [46:02] - Commissioning Leadership
- [49:04] - Prayer and Blessing
- [50:04] - Congregational Support
- [53:24] - Prayers and Concerns
- [55:24] - Offering and Thanksgiving
- [01:00:29] - Announcements and Celebrations
- [01:06:49] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 22:37-39 - "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
2. Philippians 2:5-7 - "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
3. John 17:21 - "That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest about God's nature in times of disaster, and how does this contrast with common perceptions? [15:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the rhythm of "pouring out and filling up" in the Christian life? [38:45]
3. What are the three core messages of Christian life as represented by the Celtic cross in the sermon? [45:06]
4. How does the sermon define discipleship, and what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? [29:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might understanding God as a loving and saving presence, rather than a punishing force, change a person's response to tragedy? [15:10]
2. In what ways does the command to love God and love people serve as an identifying mark of discipleship, according to the sermon? [34:06]
3. How does the concept of "pouring out and filling up" reflect the life and teachings of Jesus, and why is this balance important for Christians? [38:45]
4. What does unity with God and others look like in practical terms, and how does this unity reflect the relationship within the Trinity? [44:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent disaster or challenging situation. How did your understanding of God's nature influence your response? How might you respond differently in the future? [15:10]
2. Consider your daily life. How do you currently practice the command to love God and love people? Identify one specific way you can enhance this practice in the coming week. [34:06]
3. Think about your current balance of "pouring out" and "filling up." Are you more inclined to give or to receive? What steps can you take to achieve a healthier balance? [38:45]
4. Identify a relationship in your life where unity is lacking. What practical steps can you take to foster unity in that relationship, reflecting the unity within the Trinity? [44:07]
5. The sermon encourages examining our lives through the lens of the Celtic cross. What area of your life do you feel is most out of balance, and what specific actions can you take to address this? [45:06]
6. As you consider the call to discipleship, what is one area where you feel challenged to grow in being and doing like Jesus? How can you take a step towards growth this week? [29:21]
7. Reflect on the commissioning of the leadership team. How can you support and encourage leaders in your church community, and what role might you play in serving others? [49:04]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Love in Times of Disaster
In moments of disaster and tragedy, it is essential to remember that God is not a punishing force but a loving and saving presence. This understanding challenges us to reflect God's love in our actions and attitudes, extending compassion to all, regardless of their perceived worthiness. Every person affected by tragedy is loved by God, and we are called to mirror that love in our interactions with others. This perspective shifts our focus from judgment to empathy, encouraging us to be conduits of God's love and grace in a world that often feels broken and chaotic. [15:10]
Isaiah 43:1-2 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent disaster or tragedy you have witnessed or heard about. How can you actively extend God's love and compassion to those affected, even if it's through prayer or a small act of kindness today?
Day 2: The Non-Optional Command to Love
Jesus' command to love God and love people is not optional; it is the defining mark of discipleship. This dual commandment is central to our faith and is expressed through our actions and relationships. It calls us to a life of intentional love, where our devotion to God is mirrored in our care for others. This love is not always easy, but it is essential, requiring us to step beyond our comfort zones and engage with others in meaningful ways. By embracing this command, we align ourselves with the heart of Christ, who exemplified perfect love in His life and ministry. [34:06]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life whom you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take today to show them love and kindness, reflecting Jesus' commandment in your actions?
Day 3: The Rhythm of Pouring Out and Filling Up
The Christian life involves a rhythm of pouring out and filling up. Pouring out is about selflessly giving our time, energy, and resources to empower others, while filling up involves receiving grace and strength from God and the community. This balance is essential for sustaining our spiritual journey and ensuring that our lives reflect Christ's love and service. Without this rhythm, we risk burnout or becoming spiritually dry. By intentionally seeking this balance, we can maintain a vibrant and effective witness for Christ in all areas of our lives. [38:45]
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Reflect on your current balance between pouring out and filling up. Are you giving more than you are receiving, or vice versa? What changes can you make to ensure a healthy spiritual rhythm in your life?
Day 4: Unity with God and Others
Unity is a core aspect of our Christian life, reflecting the relationship within the Trinity. We are invited into this unity, which transforms our lives to resemble Christ more closely. This unity is achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit and is expressed in our relationships with God and others. By pursuing unity, we become part of a larger community that reflects God's love and purpose in the world. This unity is not uniformity but a harmonious blend of diverse individuals working together for the common good, embodying the love and grace of Christ. [44:07]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Consider your role in fostering unity within your community or church. What specific actions can you take to promote peace and understanding among those around you?
Day 5: The Celtic Cross as a Guide for Christian Life
The Celtic cross serves as a visual representation of the essential practices of Christian life: loving God and people, pouring out and filling up, and unity with God and others. By examining our lives through these quadrants, we can identify areas of strength and challenge, seeking balance and growth in our spiritual journey. This holistic approach encourages us to live a life that is fully integrated with our faith, allowing us to grow in our relationship with God and others. The Celtic cross reminds us that our spiritual journey is not linear but a dynamic interplay of various aspects of our faith. [45:06]
Colossians 3:14-17 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Reflect on the four quadrants of the Celtic cross: loving God, loving people, pouring out, and filling up. Which area do you feel most challenged in, and what steps can you take to grow in that aspect of your spiritual journey?
Quotes
"Hurricane comes through, it's God's punishment, or a fire comes through, it's God's punishment. There is something that we know. The God who was born as Jesus, who died on the cross, died to save us. We follow a saving God, a delivering God, not a punishing or a hurting God. And every single person who has died in those fires, every single person who has lost a home, is loved by God. Jesus died on the cross for each one of them." [00:15:10] (32 seconds)
"And so we remember that God loves us and calls us to do the very same, to love and to care for people. Amen. Whether we think they are worthy or not, because God always does." [00:15:42] (19 seconds)
"Jesus said, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. You must love your neighbor as yourself. We call this, the great commandment. It's a commandment with two parts. Love God and love neighbor." [00:33:55] (24 seconds)
"Jesus gives this as a command. That loving God and loving others is actually an identifying mark of a discipleship. People can identify us by the way we love God and love others. This great commandment, it's in all four gospels. We heard about it in Matthew." [00:34:46] (21 seconds)
"Pouring out is a giving of our time, of our energy, of our resources to empower others to worship, to empower others to learn, to meet the physical and emotional needs of others. And it is empowering others so that they can pour out, so that they can share. So pouring out regularly requires filling up occasionally. It did for Jesus and it does for us." [00:39:09] (35 seconds)
"Spiritually filling up is things like prayer, like Sabbath keeping and worship, like receiving communion, which we will next week, like reading scripture. Filling up is receiving grace from God and it is receiving from other members of the body of Christ, which is each other. Filling up is essential." [00:39:40] (28 seconds)
"Unity with God and unity with people and this comes from John 17 this is Jesus has washed the feet of the disciples and then gives a lengthy teaching and prayer and he says as he's praying I pray that they will be one father just as you are in me and I am in you I pray they will also be in us so that the world will believe that you sent me." [00:44:09] (28 seconds)
"When we get close to God, and we move towards that relationship of unity, our lives look an awful lot like Jesus more and more. And we grow in that through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the Wesleyan tradition, we call that sanctification, that growing in unity with God." [00:46:40] (24 seconds)
"The why of our Christian life is moving in unity with God and with others. The command to love God and love people, that's our vocation as human beings. That's the work, that's what we do, our vocation. The requirement to pour out and fill up, that's the method of how we live our vocation. And unity with God, that's our goal." [00:47:32] (24 seconds)
"Christian life is marked by these essential practices of loving God and loving people through pouring out and filling up, moving into unity with God and with others. Amen." [00:46:06] (20 seconds)
"May God bless you with tears to shed for yourself and for others who suffer and grieve so that you may be filled up by God and by people. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you will be accepted into the unity of God and all humanity so that your will mirrors the will of God." [01:10:39] (29 seconds)
"Let them share Christ's ministry so that they may enter into the unity of love with God and the joy of Christ. Guide them in their work, reward their faithfulness with the knowledge that through them your mission is accomplished. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen." [00:50:04] (21 seconds)
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