Love-Directed Ministry: Transforming Motives Through Christ's Love

Devotional

Day 1: Christ’s Love as Our Motive

The core motive for all Christian ministry and service must be the love of Christ, not personal gain or recognition. When the love of Jesus truly takes hold of your heart, it transforms your “why” for everything you do—no longer striving to earn God’s favor or impress others, but responding to the overwhelming affection Christ has already shown you. This love is not something you muster up; it is a gift received, and it compels you to keep loving, serving, and returning even when it’s hard or when others don’t appreciate your efforts. Let Christ’s love be the river that carries you forward, shaping your motives and actions in every area of life. [50:06]

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV)
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to let Christ’s love—not your own ambition or desire for approval—become your true motive today?

Day 2: Seeing Others Through Christ’s Eyes

Experiencing the love of Christ changes the way you see people; you no longer view them as means to your own ends, but as beloved individuals worthy of genuine care. Paul refused to treat people as tools for his own advancement or as obstacles to be overcome; instead, he saw them as precious souls for whom Christ died. When you are love-directed, you reject worldly standards of power and status, and instead, you value people for who they are in God’s eyes. This shift in perspective leads to authentic relationships and ministry that honors God and others. [59:34]

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (ESV)
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Reflection: Who is someone you tend to view through a worldly lens? How can you intentionally see and treat them as Christ does this week?

Day 3: The Power of Authentic Motives

Authentic, love-driven motives are essential for a compelling Christian witness in a skeptical world. People are quick to sense when churches or individuals are motivated by self-interest, manipulation, or guilt rather than genuine love. Only when our actions are rooted in Christ’s love—free from hidden agendas—can the ministry of reconciliation truly flourish. The clearer and purer our motives, the greater our spiritual impact, as people are drawn not to us, but to the love of Jesus shining through us. [01:05:16]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: What is one hidden agenda or self-serving motive you need to lay down so that your love for others can be more authentic and Christ-centered?

Day 4: Enduring the Pain of Ministry

Serving others in love often comes with pain, disappointment, and sacrifice, but Christ’s love makes it worth it. Like Paul, you may pour yourself out for people who don’t appreciate it, who resist or even hurt you. Yet, when you are compelled by Christ’s love, you find the strength to keep going, to keep giving, and to keep hoping for transformation—not because it’s easy, but because you are hemmed in and propelled by a love greater than your own. [01:01:43]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Reflection: Where have you been tempted to give up on loving or serving someone? How might Christ’s love empower you to persevere today?

Day 5: Letting Christ’s Love Change Your Heart

True transformation in the Christian life comes not from guilt, coercion, or human effort, but from receiving and abiding in the love Christ pours into your heart. Only this love can change your motives, your actions, and your very identity, making you more like Jesus. As you surrender your heart to Him, His love becomes the throne from which all your life flows, directing you toward those who need Him most and freeing you from the weight of your past mistakes. [01:07:18]

Romans 5:5 (ESV)
“…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.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can open your heart to receive more of Christ’s love today, allowing it to change you from the inside out?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on what it means to be “love-directed” as a church and as individuals. While it’s easy to get caught up in outcomes, strategies, and even the means and opportunities of ministry, the real question is always about motive—our “why.” Drawing from Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church, we see a leader who, despite repeated heartbreak and resistance, refuses to give up on his people. Paul’s perseverance is not rooted in a desire for approval, power, or personal gain, but in the overwhelming love of Christ that has first been poured out on him. This love is not something Paul musters up to earn God’s favor; it is a response to the love he has already received.

When the love of Christ truly takes hold of us, it transforms our motives at the deepest level. We become less concerned with how others perceive us, less driven by the need to control or impress, and more willing to endure the pain and disappointment that often come with serving others. Paul’s ministry was not about leveraging people for his own ends or building a platform; it was about seeing people as God sees them—worthy of love, not as means to an end. The love of Christ “compels” or “hems in” Paul, directing his actions and narrowing his focus so that his impact is greater and more authentic.

This is a crucial word for our time, when skepticism about the church is high and motives are often questioned. If our ministry is to have any credibility or lasting fruit, it must be rooted in the authentic, self-giving love of Jesus. Only when we are hemmed in by this love—when it is our primary motive—can we truly be missionaries in our world. The call is to lay down mixed motives, to repent of self-serving agendas, and to let the love of Christ be the one cause that catalyzes all we do. In this, we find both our freedom and our calling: to love others because He first loved us, and to let that love direct every aspect of our lives and ministry.

Key Takeaways

1. The motive behind our actions matters more than the actions themselves. Paul’s relentless ministry to the Corinthians, despite their resistance and his own pain, was not driven by obligation or the hope of personal reward, but by the love of Christ that had first transformed him. When our “why” is rooted in Christ’s love, we are freed from the need for approval and empowered to serve with authenticity. [49:11]
2. Experiencing the love of Christ changes how we see ourselves and others. No longer do we view people as means to our own ends or as obstacles to be overcome. Instead, we begin to see each person as someone deeply loved by God, worthy of our time, sacrifice, and compassion, regardless of what they can offer us in return. [59:34]
3. The love of Christ compels us to endure pain and disappointment in ministry. Paul’s willingness to keep serving, writing, and investing in a difficult church is a model for us when we face discouragement or ingratitude. True love, received from Christ, enables us to keep going even when there is little to show for our efforts, because our motive is not self-preservation but self-giving. [61:43]
4. Authentic ministry rejects power-based leadership and hidden agendas. Paul refused to adopt the dominant, forceful style of the “super-apostles” in Corinth, knowing that such approaches ultimately lead to abuse and self-centeredness. Instead, he modeled a leadership that was humble, vulnerable, and entirely shaped by the love of Christ, inviting us to do the same. [58:10]
5. The transformative love of Jesus is the only force that can truly change hearts and catalyze lasting ministry. Human attempts to motivate through guilt, shame, or coercion may produce outward conformity, but only Christ’s love can bring about genuine transformation. As we allow ourselves to be “hemmed in” and propelled by this love, our impact grows and our witness becomes compelling to a skeptical world. [67:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:15] - Introduction to Navigate Series
[35:25] - The “L” in FLAG: Love-Directed
[36:37] - Motives: Why We Do What We Do
[38:39] - The Importance of Motive in Ministry
[43:15] - Paul’s Complicated Relationship with Corinth
[44:56] - The Pressure and Pain of Ministry
[46:32] - When Love is Met with Resistance
[49:11] - Paul’s Motive: The Love of Christ
[51:08] - How Christ’s Love Changes Us
[53:16] - Not Ashamed: Living “Out of Our Mind” for Christ
[58:10] - Rejecting Power-Based Ministry
[59:34] - Seeing People Through Christ’s Eyes
[61:43] - The Cost and Compulsion of Love
[64:22] - Repenting of Mixed Motives
[65:16] - The Power of a Narrowed Focus
[67:18] - Only Love Transforms the Heart
[68:03] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
[68:55] - Blessing and Sending
[77:49] - Dismissal and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 5:13-17 (ESV) — 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 John 4:19 (ESV) — We love because he first loved us.

Observation Questions

According to 2 Corinthians 5:14, what is the main force that “controls” or “compels” Paul in his ministry?
In verse 16, Paul says he no longer regards anyone “according to the flesh.” What does this mean in the context of his relationship with the Corinthians?
The sermon describes Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church as “complicated” and full of pain, yet he keeps coming back to serve them. What are some specific examples from the sermon of how Paul responded to resistance and disappointment? [[46:32]]
The sermon mentions that Paul refused to lead like the “super-apostles” who relied on power and charisma. What was different about Paul’s approach to leadership? [[58:10]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Paul’s motive was not to earn Jesus’ love, but to respond to the love he had already received. Why is this distinction important for how we serve others? [[49:11]]
How does experiencing Christ’s love change the way a person sees themselves and others, according to both the passage and the sermon? [[59:34]]
The sermon talks about being “hemmed in” or “compelled” by Christ’s love, like a kayaker in a canyon. What does it look like for someone’s life or ministry to be “hemmed in” by love rather than by other motives? [[01:01:43]]
The message warns against using guilt, shame, or power to motivate people in ministry. Why do these methods fail to bring real transformation, and what does the love of Christ do differently? [[01:07:18]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to examine our motives for serving, volunteering, or even attending church. Can you think of a time when your “why” was mixed or self-serving? What would it look like to let Christ’s love be your main motive instead? [[01:04:22]]
Paul kept loving and serving the Corinthians even when they hurt him or didn’t appreciate him. Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love or serve right now? What would it mean to keep showing up for them out of Christ’s love, not for your own reward? [[46:32]]
The sermon says that when we are truly changed by Christ’s love, we stop worrying so much about what others think of us. Is there an area of your life where fear of people’s opinions is holding you back from loving or serving boldly? What’s one step you could take to move past that this week? [[51:08]]
Paul refused to use power or manipulation in his leadership. Are there ways, even subtle ones, that you are tempted to use influence, guilt, or pressure to get your way with others—in your family, work, or church? What would it look like to lead with humility and love instead? [[58:10]]
The message calls us to “repent of mixed motives” and let the love of Christ direct every aspect of our lives. Is there a specific area—like your work, relationships, or ministry—where you sense God inviting you to lay down self-serving agendas? What would repentance and a new direction look like for you? [[01:04:22]]
The sermon says that only the love of Christ can truly change hearts and make our witness compelling to a skeptical world. Who in your life is skeptical about faith or church? How might your authentic, self-giving love make a difference in their view of Jesus? [[01:07:18]]
The message ends with a prayer of surrender: “My heart shall be thy throne. My life I give henceforth to live, O Christ, for thee alone.” What would it mean for you to make this your prayer this week? Is there a specific area where you need to surrender control to Jesus? [[01:08:03]]

Sermon Clips

``Paul loves his mission field because Jesus loved Paul first. I think some of us have probably heard a phrase like that before. We love because he first loved us. That's John 4, verse 19. And what we probably think that that means is something like, well, since God loves me, I need to love God back. Because God loves me, I need to try to restore or return love to him. I'd probably better try harder to love other people too. But that's not really what 1 John 4 means. And it's not what Paul's getting at here either. Listen closely, Elmbrook. What the Bible is saying is that you actually can't love other people well unless you know how much God loves you. It's not a question of what you ought to do. It's actually a question of what you are able to do. [00:50:06] (69 seconds) #LoveEnablesLove

See, when the beauty and the richness and the astonishing reach of God's love hits you, things start to change. I won't ask you to raise your hand, but you can do it inside. How many people here remember their first time being in love? You start to become a little different when that happens, right? You see the world differently. You dress differently. You plan your schedule differently. You begin to floss regularly. Dumb, cheesy songs are on repeat because they remind you of that person. It's all ooey -gooey, right? Love changes you. Elmbrook now dialed that up to about a million. When it sinks in that God loved you so much that he sent his only begotten son to the cross, you are not the same anymore. Everything, all the way down to your core motives, changes. [00:51:14] (72 seconds) #TransformedByLove

First, when you really experience God's love, you worry a lot less about how other people perceive you. Paul says here, if we're out of our mind, it's for God. If we're in our mind, it's you. It's just a wonderful line. Out of your mind. Now, this line is in quotation marks in our English Bibles because translators believe it's probably Paul reflecting back what the people in Corinth were saying about him. You know, that Paul of Tarsus, man, he's a little cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs, man. He's just a little bit out of his mind. See, Paul's...been accused here of going all Beyonce God's love got him looking all crazy in love in Corinth right the transforming touch of Jesus has removed his inhibitions he's not ashamed anymore he's not concerned about what people will think about his witness he is not worried about what people are going to write about him on social media he's just loving people [00:52:36] (69 seconds) #UnashamedForLove

To think of people that way as just means to your ends means that you don't actually love them. You just love what they can give you. Come on now, church. If you don't really love them, you actually are only loving yourself. Here's what they can do for me. Here's what they can give me. Here's what they can provide me, me, me, me, me. And Paul said, that is not the way it's going to work. He says, having been overhauled by Christ's love, we don't think of people like that anymore. [00:59:42] (42 seconds) #LoveNotControl

If you know and you've truly received God's love, then the pain of ministry is worth it. You'll keep serving. You'll keep teaching. You'll keep volunteering. Keep writing that weekly check to the church, even if it brings you to tears to do so. Long after he could acquit, Paul kept on serving. Letter after letter, visit after visit, he kept coming, kept writing, kept preaching. In love, he accepted the cost. He received the pain. He absorbed the deep hurt that comes with pastoring and serving and ministering. [01:01:05] (48 seconds) #EndureInLove

Paul sees his ministry like that of a kayaker in a canyon. A kayaker in a canyon is hemmed in, carried along by the river. See, the love of Jesus was like the Colorado Rapids for Paul. They both propelled him forward and carved him a pathway that prevented him from going after other objectives, hems him in. Christ's love directs him, compels him, pushes him toward a specific outcome. [01:02:29] (35 seconds) #HemmedInByLove

Mere human forms of motivation, the attempts to coerce, to shame, to move by guilt, may bring conformity of action. But they'll never change the heart. And it is the heart, the unseen world within with which Christian ministry is concerned. There is only one thing that will really bring about change in a believer's life.and move him or her toward Christ -likeness. And that is the love that Christ himself pours into the heart in which he dwells. Church, may we be directed by that same revolutionary love too. [01:06:55] (50 seconds) #HeartChangeByLove

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