Love: The Foundation of Service and Discipleship
Summary
Establishing love as the foundation for our service to others is a profound calling that requires us to engage our entire being—heart, soul, and mind. This morning, we explored the depth of love as described in Matthew 22:37, where Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This love is not merely an emotional response but a comprehensive devotion that involves our intellect and will. Our love for God should inform our understanding and guide our actions, ensuring that our faith is not just an emotional experience but a well-reasoned commitment to His teachings.
The world often defines love as a fleeting emotion, but as Christians, we are called to a deeper understanding. 1 John 4:16 reminds us that God is love, and dwelling in love means dwelling in God. This divine love is patient, kind, and enduring, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. It is not self-seeking or easily angered, and it rejoices in truth rather than wrongdoing. Our love should be resilient, bearing all things and enduring through challenges, reflecting the grace we receive from God.
Our service to others is an extension of our love for God. 1 Peter 4:8-10 encourages us to serve one another with fervent love, using our gifts as stewards of God's grace. This service is not just about fulfilling duties but about embodying the love and grace we receive from God. Matthew 25:42-45 emphasizes that our service to others is service to God, urging us to see Christ in those we serve.
Jesus exemplified this sacrificial service, as described in Philippians 2:5-7, by humbling Himself and taking the form of a servant. We are called to emulate His humility and selflessness, recognizing that our resources and abilities are entrusted to us by God for the purpose of serving others. True humility in service is revealed in how we respond when treated as servants, embracing opportunities to serve regardless of how we are treated.
Finally, our love for one another is a testament to our discipleship. John 13:35 states that our love for each other is the mark of true discipleship. Our evangelistic efforts are deeply connected to how well we love one another, as this love reflects our reliance on God and our commitment to His word. Let us strive to love one another in practical ways, seeking to be the answer to each other's prayers and growing in love as a community.
Key Takeaways:
1. Comprehensive Love for God: Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind involves a holistic devotion that goes beyond emotions. It requires engaging our intellect and will, ensuring our faith is informed by scripture and reasoned understanding. This comprehensive love guides our actions and deepens our relationship with God. [12:46]
2. Divine Love Defined: True love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, and enduring. It is not self-seeking or easily angered, and it rejoices in truth. This divine love is resilient, bearing all things and enduring challenges, reflecting the grace we receive from God. [46:35]
3. Service as an Extension of Love: Our service to others is an expression of our love for God. By serving others with fervent love, we embody the grace we receive from God. This service is not just about fulfilling duties but about seeing Christ in those we serve, as emphasized in Matthew 25:42-45. [53:39]
4. Humility in Service: Emulating Jesus' humility and selflessness, we recognize that our resources and abilities are entrusted to us by God for serving others. True humility in service is revealed in how we respond when treated as servants, embracing opportunities to serve regardless of how we are treated. [58:57]
5. Love as a Mark of Discipleship: Our love for one another is a testament to our discipleship. John 13:35 states that our love for each other is the mark of true discipleship. Our evangelistic efforts are deeply connected to how well we love one another, reflecting our reliance on God and commitment to His word. [01:11:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Love as a Foundation
- [03:15] - Loving God with Heart, Soul, and Mind
- [07:45] - Worldly vs. Biblical Love
- [12:46] - Understanding Divine Love
- [18:20] - 1 Corinthians 13: The Love Chapter
- [25:00] - Love's Patience and Kindness
- [31:10] - Love's Humility and Selflessness
- [37:45] - Serving Others in Love
- [46:35] - Love's Resilience and Endurance
- [53:39] - Service as Service to God
- [58:57] - Emulating Jesus' Humility
- [01:02:51] - Humility in Service
- [01:11:06] - Love as a Mark of Discipleship
- [01:16:32] - Practical Ways to Love and Serve
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 22:37
2. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
3. John 13:35
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 22:37, what are the three aspects of our being that Jesus commands us to love God with? How does this comprehensive love differ from a purely emotional response? [49:51]
2. In 1 Corinthians 13, what characteristics define true love? How do these characteristics challenge the worldly definition of love? [46:35]
3. How does John 13:35 describe the relationship between love and discipleship? What does this imply about the importance of love in our faith community? [01:14:00]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate how Jesus exemplified humility and selflessness in service? [58:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind influence our daily decisions and actions? In what ways can this holistic devotion impact our relationship with God? [49:51]
2. Why is it important for Christians to understand and embody the characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13? How might this understanding affect our interactions with others? [46:35]
3. What does it mean to see our service to others as service to God, as described in Matthew 25:42-45? How can this perspective change the way we approach acts of service? [53:39]
4. How does the concept of love as a mark of discipleship challenge us to evaluate our relationships within the church community? What practical steps can we take to grow in love for one another? [01:14:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How can you engage your heart, soul, and mind more fully in loving Him? What specific steps can you take this week to deepen this relationship? [49:51]
2. Think of a recent situation where you struggled to show patience or kindness. How can you apply the principles of 1 Corinthians 13 to respond differently in similar situations in the future? [46:35]
3. Identify a person in your life who might be in need of service. How can you serve them in a way that reflects your love for God and sees Christ in them? [53:39]
4. Consider a time when you were treated as a servant. How did you respond, and what does this reveal about your humility in service? How can you embrace opportunities to serve with a Christ-like attitude, regardless of how you are treated? [58:57]
5. Evaluate your relationships within the church. Are there any barriers preventing you from loving others as Christ commands? What steps can you take to overcome these barriers and demonstrate love as a mark of your discipleship? [01:14:00]
6. How can you intentionally seek to be the answer to someone else's prayer this week? What practical actions can you take to support and love your community? [01:16:32]
7. Reflect on a person who challenges your ability to love. What prayer or scripture can you meditate on to prepare your heart for your next interaction with them? [01:14:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Holistic Devotion to God
Loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind is a call to engage every aspect of your being in devotion. This love is not just an emotional experience but a commitment that involves your intellect and will. It requires a reasoned understanding of scripture and a dedication to living out God's teachings in every area of your life. By doing so, your faith becomes a comprehensive journey that deepens your relationship with God and guides your actions. [12:46]
Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (ESV): "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart."
Reflection: In what ways can you engage your mind and will, not just your emotions, in your love for God today?
Day 2: Resilient and Enduring Love
True love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, is characterized by patience, kindness, and endurance. It is not self-seeking or easily angered, and it rejoices in truth. This divine love reflects the grace we receive from God and is resilient, bearing all things and enduring challenges. As you strive to embody this love, consider how it can transform your relationships and interactions with others. [46:35]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were challenged to show patience or kindness. How can you apply the principles of divine love to that situation today?
Day 3: Serving Others as Serving God
Our service to others is an expression of our love for God. By serving others with fervent love, we embody the grace we receive from God. This service is not just about fulfilling duties but about seeing Christ in those we serve, as emphasized in Matthew 25:42-45. Consider how your acts of service can be a reflection of your devotion to God and a testament to His love. [53:39]
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who could benefit from your service today. How can you serve them in a way that reflects your love for God?
Day 4: Emulating Christ's Humility
Emulating Jesus' humility and selflessness means recognizing that our resources and abilities are entrusted to us by God for serving others. True humility in service is revealed in how we respond when treated as servants, embracing opportunities to serve regardless of how we are treated. Reflect on how you can embody Christ's humility in your daily interactions and service to others. [58:57]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you felt overlooked or undervalued. How can you respond with humility and grace, following Christ's example?
Day 5: Love as the Mark of Discipleship
Our love for one another is a testament to our discipleship. John 13:35 states that our love for each other is the mark of true discipleship. Our evangelistic efforts are deeply connected to how well we love one another, reflecting our reliance on God and commitment to His word. Strive to love one another in practical ways, seeking to be the answer to each other's prayers and growing in love as a community. [01:11:06]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of a practical way you can show love to a fellow believer today. How can this act of love serve as a testament to your discipleship?
Quotes
"There are a lot of times when uh our there's an emotional attachment to our faith that is not informed by scripture and that can be an issue because then we give in to false teaching and we are we are confused by certain points and our evangelistic office or duty is also hindered because we don't understand how does the world define love do oxford defines love as a strong feeling of liking and caring for someone or something a strong feeling of romantic attraction or a strong feeling of pleasure that something gives you if we were to define love this way what happens when the strong feeling feeds it's now there is emotion attached to love we just we just talked about that but it's not the basis for our love." [00:44:36] (76 seconds)
"Charity suffereth long, and it's kind. Charity envieth not. Charity vaunteth not itself. It's not puffed up. What does suffering long mean? Patiently enduring, lasting offense, or hardship. And we think about our lives, our daily lives, and we think about the people that are in our sphere. Do we patiently endure lasting offense, or hardship, with them? Just a thought. Kind. So, verse 4 also speaks about kindness." [00:47:01] (45 seconds)
"Verse 7 talks about bearing all things. Believing all things. Hope all things. Endure it all things. This means that love doesn't give up easily. But rather, pursue. This means that love doesn't give up easily. This means that love doesn't give up easily. He veers through difficult times and is willing to endure the shortcomings of others. How do we feel about enduring the shortcomings of others?" [00:50:04] (31 seconds)
"Matthew 25, verse 42 to 45. For I was unhungered, and you gave me no meat. I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink. I was a stranger, and you took me not in. Naked, and you clothed me not. Sick, and in prison, and you visited me not. This scripture speaks regarding end time judgment. But shows that God is deeply invested in our service to others. Because we are doing it as unto Him." [00:53:42] (34 seconds)
"Philippians 2 5 philippians chapter 2 verse 5 let this mind be in you which was also in christ verse 6 who being in the form of god thought it not robbery to be equal with god but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men do we understand what jesus christ endured for us do we understand where he was and what he had to come down to to be able to save us from our sins." [00:54:51] (46 seconds)
"There's this author Gordon McDowell Donald who wrote you can tell if you're becoming a servant by how you act when people treat you like one and when I heard this I actually heard this from another pastor he was preaching and and I was like what that is insightful you can tell if you're becoming a servant by how you act when people treat you like one and I am like Lord Jesus I didn't realize it was that deep you know because usually if if someone's tone is elevated or if they can now bark and order at you you're like oops." [01:05:14] (50 seconds)
"Matthew chapter 5 verse 43 to 44 tells us, You have heard that it had been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thy enemies. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use and persecute you. I mean, we're saying yes, no, but I don't know if you all heard what I just read." [01:09:24] (32 seconds)
"Let us remember the Lord's words in John 13, 35. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples. If you could preach real good. If you could heal the sick and raise the dead. If you could do hospitality. You could cook real good. No, it says, if you have love one to another. If we have love one to another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples." [01:14:11] (50 seconds)
"But by how well we love one another. Because you know what that assumes? It assumes that if you are able to love your brother, like Christ says we should, that you are praying. That you are in your word. That you are relying and depending on him as your source. Amen? So, beloved, let us love one another. Let us, in a practical ways, look for ways to solve each other's problems, to be each other's answered prayer." [01:16:06] (37 seconds)
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