Love: The Heart of Our Mission and Purpose

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound nature of love as the central purpose of our lives and the church's mission. We delved into the stark contrast between the world's culture of hate and the revolutionary call of Jesus to love God, love each other within the church, and love those outside our immediate community. This love is not a passive feeling but an active commitment that defines our very existence.

We began by acknowledging the current climate of hate that is not only present but often encouraged in our society. Hatred based on political differences, body image, culture, and even our species is on the rise. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to a different standard—one that is rooted in love and transcends these societal norms.

Reflecting on the early church in Acts 2, we saw a community that exemplified this love in three distinct ways: upward, inward, and outward. They were devoted to God, shared life with one another, and reached out to those in need. This pattern of love is not only our heritage but our ongoing mission.

We also addressed the personal cost of prioritizing love according to Jesus' commands. It may disrupt relationships and challenge our comfort zones, but it aligns us with our true purpose. We are to love God above all, and from that love flows a love for others that is transformative.

As a church, we are called to be a community that loves relentlessly, devotedly, and passionately. This love is not abstract but is demonstrated in practical, relational ways. We must be a church that understands our community, engages with the world, and creates environments where people can encounter the love of Jesus.

Finally, we considered the product of the church: disciples who excel in love. If we are not producing disciples who love God more, love the church more, and love the world more, we are failing in our purpose. Our efforts must be directed toward cultivating the qualities that enable us to live out this threefold love mission.

Key Takeaways:

- Love is the defining purpose of our lives and the church's mission. It is not a passive emotion but an active commitment that shapes our existence. As we embrace this purpose, we find clarity and direction in a world that often promotes hate and self-centeredness. [49:33]

- The early church in Acts 2 provides a blueprint for living out the love of Jesus. Their devotion to God, fellowship with one another, and generosity toward those in need demonstrate a holistic approach to love that we are called to emulate. This pattern of upward, inward, and outward love is as relevant today as it was in the first century. [47:26]

- Prioritizing love according to Jesus' commands may come at a personal cost, including strained relationships and discomfort. However, this cost is outweighed by the fulfillment of our God-given purpose. When we love God first, it rightly orders our other relationships and commitments. [42:25]

- The church must be a community that embodies love in tangible ways. This means understanding our community, engaging with the world, and creating environments where people can encounter Jesus. Our love must be relational, not impersonal, and it must start with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. [50:26]

- Producing disciples who excel in love is the ultimate product of the church. Our efforts and resources should be directed toward developing the habits, qualities, and characteristics that foster love for God, the church, and the world. This is the measure of our success as a church. [57:27]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 12:28-31 - "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?' 'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself." There is no commandment greater than these.'"
2. John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
3. Acts 2:42-47 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Mark 12:28-31, what are the two greatest commandments that Jesus highlights? How do these commandments summarize the purpose of our lives? [29:20]
2. In John 13:34-35, what new commandment does Jesus give to His disciples, and what is the significance of this commandment for the identity of His followers? [30:48]
3. Describe the three distinct ways the early church in Acts 2:42-47 demonstrated love. How did their actions reflect their commitment to God, each other, and the community? [46:02]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the command to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) challenge the current culture of self-centeredness and hate? [29:52]
2. Why is loving one another within the church (John 13:34-35) crucial for the church's witness to the world? How does this love validate the message of Jesus? [31:00]
3. Reflecting on Acts 2:42-47, what personal sacrifices did the early Christians make to live out their love for God and others? How might these sacrifices apply to modern-day believers? [47:02]

#### Application Questions
1. In what ways can you actively demonstrate love for God in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you feel challenged to grow in your love for Him? [29:52]
2. How can you show love to your fellow church members in practical, tangible ways? Think of one specific action you can take this week to support someone in your church community. [31:00]
3. Consider the people outside your immediate community. How can you extend love to those who are different from you or who may even be considered your "enemies"? What steps can you take to build bridges of understanding and compassion? [34:53]
4. Reflect on a time when prioritizing love according to Jesus' commands came at a personal cost for you. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? [42:25]
5. The early church in Acts 2 was known for their generosity and communal living. How can you incorporate similar principles of generosity and community in your life today? [47:02]
6. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith or who may be struggling. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation or show them the love of Jesus this week? [53:10]
7. How can you measure your growth in love for God, the church, and the world? What specific habits or practices can you adopt to ensure you are continually expanding in love? [57:27]

Devotional

Day 1: Love as Our Defining Purpose
Love is not merely an emotion; it is the active commitment that shapes our existence and gives us direction in a world that often promotes hate and self-centeredness. This love is a reflection of the divine, a powerful force that compels us to look beyond ourselves and to see the image of God in others. It is a love that is patient, kind, and selfless, seeking the good of others above our own. It is a love that does not envy or boast, is not arrogant or rude, and does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful, and it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. This love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It is this love that we are called to embody and express in every aspect of our lives, as it is the very essence of who we are called to be.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:7-8 ESV

Reflection: How can you demonstrate active love in a situation where you might naturally respond with indifference or frustration today? [49:33]

Day 2: Emulating the Early Church's Holistic Love
The early church in Acts 2 serves as a blueprint for how we are to live out the love of Jesus. Their devotion to God, fellowship with one another, and generosity toward those in need exemplify a holistic approach to love that we are called to emulate. This pattern of upward, inward, and outward love is as relevant today as it was in the first century. It challenges us to consider how our love for God impacts our relationships within the church and extends to those beyond our immediate community. It is a love that is not content with mere words or talk but is expressed in action and truth. It is a love that is lived out in the daily rhythms of life, in the breaking of bread, in prayers, and in sharing with those in need.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles." - Acts 2:42-43 ESV

Reflection: What is one practical way you can strengthen your fellowship with other believers this week, reflecting the love and unity of the early church? [47:26]

Day 3: The Cost and Reward of Prioritizing Love
Prioritizing love according to Jesus' commands may come at a personal cost, including strained relationships and discomfort. However, this cost is outweighed by the fulfillment of our God-given purpose. When we love God first, it rightly orders our other relationships and commitments. This love is sacrificial, as it often requires us to lay down our own desires and preferences for the sake of others. It is a love that is steadfast in the face of opposition and perseveres through trials. It is a love that mirrors the love of Christ, who laid down His life for us, and calls us to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." - 1 John 3:16 ESV

Reflection: In what ways might you need to reorder your priorities to reflect a greater love for God and others, even if it means personal sacrifice? [42:25]

Day 4: The Church as a Community of Tangible Love
The church must be a community that embodies love in tangible ways. This means understanding our community, engaging with the world, and creating environments where people can encounter Jesus. Our love must be relational, not impersonal, and it must start with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a love that is visible in our actions, in the way we serve, in the way we listen, and in the way we give. It is a love that is compassionate, that weeps with those who weep and rejoices with those who rejoice. It is a love that is courageous, willing to cross cultural and societal barriers to show the love of Christ to those who are different from us.

"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 create an opportunity this week to show genuine love to someone outside your immediate community? [50:26]

Day 5: Discipleship Measured by Love
Producing disciples who excel in love is the ultimate product of the church. Our efforts and resources should be directed toward developing the habits, qualities, and characteristics that foster love for God, the church, and the world. This is the measure of our success as a church. It is a love that is learned through discipleship, as we grow in our understanding of God's Word and His love for us. It is a love that is cultivated in community, as we encourage and challenge one another to live out the love of Christ. It is a love that is shared with the world, as we bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." - Colossians 3:14 ESV

Reflection: What is one habit you can develop or strengthen this week to become a disciple who excels in love for God, the church, and the world? [57:27]

Quotes

1) "What if instead of this I was personally oriented around the love purposes of Jesus which Jesus said should be our true purposes?" [38:25](Download | Download)

2) "If you were going to have love at the center of your life are you ready for that? It might actually hurt your relationships." [39:25](Download | Download)

3) "The world says yes and hate and you'll hear that here and everywhere. But how can we do that consistently, properly, powerfully when we live in a selfy world?" [36:25](Download | Download)

4) "We realized that as a church moved farther and farther away from the center of culture that those were less and less effective why because they were less and less personal." [52:26](Download | Download)

5) "Our product is to make disciples who excel in love. If we're not producing that, we are failing in our purpose." [57:27](Download | Download)

6) "When you decide to follow Jesus that is the great cost. You know Jesus talked about counting the cost which is funny you know you think well counting the cost and you think soldier talk you know that is warrior talk. But it was talk about the cost of love." [39:25](Download | Download)

7) "The first thing that sets the Christian apart from the crowd is their primary purpose in life is not just to not hate but it's about more than themselves." [35:25](Download | Download)

8) "A church that will have an upward and an inward and an outward focus devotedly committed to the loves of Jesus." [55:26](Download | Download)

9) "If you believe Jesus you don't have to spend your life wondering what your purpose is... it is to love love for God, love for God's people, and love for the broken world that God loves." [43:25](Download | Download)

10) "The church gives us a pattern to follow and are you surprised that it distilled the very purposes that Jesus said ought to be central to your life." [49:26](Download | Download)

Chatbot

Transcript

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