Phoenix Bible Church Online

Devotional

Day 1: Love Is the Mark of True Discipleship

To truly know God is to reflect His character by loving others. This love is not an optional add-on or a mere feeling, but the very evidence that we belong to Him. Just as a child resembles their parent, our lives should bear the unmistakable resemblance of our Heavenly Father—marked by sacrificial, unconditional love for others. This is not about checking off religious boxes or impressing others with knowledge, but about living out the love that God has poured into us, making it visible in our relationships and actions. [38:54]

1 John 2:7-11 (ESV)
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Reflection: Who in your life do you find difficult to love, and what is one practical step you can take today to show them the love of Christ?

Day 2: The Old Command—Love Rooted in God’s Eternal Nature

The call to love is not a new idea, but one that stretches back to the very beginning—rooted in the eternal, loving nature of the Triune God. Before any commandments were given, before creation itself, love existed within the relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are created in God’s image to reflect this love, and every commandment—whether in the law or the teachings of Jesus—flows from this foundational truth. Loving others is not just a rule to follow, but a return to our original design and purpose. [44:51]

1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: How does knowing that love is at the core of God’s nature and your own creation change the way you approach your relationships today?

Day 3: The New Command—Love Embodied and Empowered by Jesus

While the command to love is ancient, it is made new in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied God’s love and now empowers us to do the same. Jesus didn’t just teach about love—He lived it out with pure motives, humility, and sacrifice, showing us exactly what love looks like in action. Through His Spirit, we are not left to strive in our own strength, but are invited to abide in Him, drawing on His love to love others—even when it’s hard. This is a relational, not ritualistic, obedience that transforms us and those around us. [53:12]

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to move from “trying harder” to “abiding in Jesus” so that His love can flow through you to others?

Day 4: Love Is the Proof of Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual maturity is not measured by knowledge, eloquence, or religious activity, but by the depth and consistency of our love for others. The true test of knowing God is not how much we know, but how well we love—especially those who are different, difficult, or overlooked. When we love, we abide in God’s holiness and shine His light into the darkness of our world. Without love, all our religious efforts are empty noise; with love, we become living proof of God’s presence and power. [59:14]

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Reflection: What is one way you can prioritize loving action over knowledge or achievement in your faith journey this week?

Day 5: Small Acts of Love Light Up the Darkness

God changes the world not through grand gestures, but through ordinary people taking small steps of love in everyday moments. Each time you welcome a stranger, serve someone in need, or extend kindness to someone difficult, you are flipping on the light of Christ in a dark world. These simple acts, empowered by God’s love, have the power to break through darkness, heal hearts, and even change destinies—sometimes in ways you may never see. Embrace the love of the Father, and let it overflow in tangible ways to those around you. [01:08:21]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 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 small, specific act of love you can do today to bring light into someone’s darkness?

Sermon Summary

In this season at Phoenix Bible Church, there is much to celebrate—lives being transformed, baptisms, and a sense of God moving powerfully among us. As we look ahead to our “Move to One” initiative, the focus is on every person stepping into at least one discipleship relationship, believing that such intentionality will not only change individual lives but also ripple out to transform our church and community. This vision is rooted in the heart of 1 John, which calls us to live as true disciples—people who don’t just claim to know God, but whose lives bear the unmistakable resemblance of our Father.

The core of this teaching is the progression John lays out: if we say we know God, we will keep His commandments, and the ultimate outworking of that is love. This isn’t a new idea; it’s an old command that stretches back to the very beginning, even before creation, rooted in the eternal love of the Triune God. Love is not an add-on to the Christian life, but the very essence of God’s nature. From the Old Testament law to the words of Jesus, the call has always been to love God and love others. Yet, in Jesus, this command becomes new—not because the idea is novel, but because Jesus perfectly embodied it and now empowers us to do the same through His Spirit.

Obedience, then, is not a checklist or a ritual, but a relational response to the love we have received. The mark of maturity is not theological knowledge or religious performance, but a life that increasingly loves others as Jesus loved us. John warns against the distortion of the gospel that creeps in through distraction, busyness, and cultural confusion. The proof that we truly know God is not in our words, but in our love—especially for those who are difficult to love.

Love is the light that pushes back the darkness in our world. It is not a feeling that comes and goes, but a supernatural, sacrificial commitment that reflects the very holiness of God. Small acts of love—welcoming a stranger, making room for someone, serving without selfish motives—are the ways we flip on the light in a dark world. When we embrace the love of the Father, the most natural response is to extend that love to others, and in doing so, we become the means by which God lights up the darkness around us.

Key Takeaways

1. The foundation of Christian love is not a new concept, but one that is rooted in the eternal nature of God Himself. Before any commandment was given, love existed within the Trinity—Father, Son, and Spirit. This means that love is not just something God does, but who He is, and our calling to love others is an invitation to reflect His very character in the world. [45:08]
2. True maturity in Christ is not measured by knowledge, eloquence, or religious activity, but by the presence of genuine love for others. John makes it clear that the proof of knowing God is not in theological acumen or impressive spiritual resumes, but in a life that abides in the light by loving others—even when it is difficult or inconvenient. [59:14]
3. Obedience to God’s commands is not meant to be a burdensome checklist, but a relational overflow of abiding in Jesus. When we disconnect obedience from relationship, we reduce the Christian life to self-improvement and ritual. Instead, abiding in Christ empowers us to love as He loved, making obedience a joyful and supernatural response to His love. [54:25]
4. The weight and substance of love are often lost in our culture, where love is reduced to fleeting feelings or preferences. John restores the gravity of love by tying it to the holiness of God—when we love others, we abide in His holiness and become agents of light in a dark world. This love is not optional or secondary; it is the very proof that we belong to God. [57:21]
5. Small, everyday acts of love have the power to push back darkness and change lives in ways we may never fully see. Whether it’s welcoming someone at church, making space for a stranger, or simply serving without recognition, these acts are supernatural when rooted in the love of Christ. As we embrace the Father’s love for us, we are compelled and empowered to extend that love to others, becoming the light that causes darkness to flee. [69:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:01] - Celebrating Baptisms and God’s Movement
[35:44] - Vision for “Move to One” Discipleship
[36:27] - Introduction to 1 John: Living as Disciples
[38:00] - Family Resemblance: Looking Like Our Father
[39:45] - The Tension: What Does It Mean to Know God?
[41:32] - The Old Command: Love from the Beginning
[43:47] - Love Rooted in God’s Eternal Nature
[46:27] - Correcting Distortions: Returning to the Source
[49:45] - The New Command: Love Manifested in Jesus
[52:36] - Empowered to Love: Jesus in Us
[55:16] - The Proof: Love as Evidence of Knowing God
[57:21] - Abiding in the Light: Love and Holiness
[59:14] - Redefining Maturity: Love Over Knowledge
[61:25] - Light vs. Darkness: The Power of Love
[64:50] - Lighting Up Darkness: Small Acts, Big Impact
[69:28] - Stories of Love Changing Lives
[73:02] - Embracing and Extending the Father’s Love
[74:04] - Baptisms and Generational Life Change
[129:57] - The Father’s Joy and Our Response
[134:39] - What Marks a True Believer?
[141:10] - Returning to the Pure Message
[146:07] - Jesus Empowers Us to Love
[150:36] - Love as the Proof of Knowing God
[154:03] - Maturity and the Danger of Cold Religion
[160:28] - The Church as Light in the World
[163:13] - Small Steps, Big Light
[167:22] - Receiving and Extending the Father’s Love
[169:45] - Responding in Worship and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 John 2:7-11 (ESV) — > 7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
> 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
> 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
> 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
> 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 2:7-8, what does John mean when he says he is writing “no new commandment but an old commandment,” and then immediately calls it “a new commandment”?
In verses 9-11, what does John say is the evidence that someone is “in the light” or “in the darkness”?
The sermon described a “progression” John lays out for disciples: knowing God, keeping His commandments, and loving others. What is the final outworking of this progression? [[42:26]]
What imagery does John use to describe the impact of love and hate in a believer’s life? How does this connect to the idea of “light” and “darkness”?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that love is not just something God does, but who He is, rooted in the eternal nature of the Trinity. Why is it important that love existed before any commandment was given? [[45:08]]
John says that the “proof” of knowing God is not in words or religious activity, but in love—especially for those who are difficult to love. Why do you think loving difficult people is such a strong indicator of true spiritual maturity? [[55:16]]
The sermon warns against reducing obedience to a checklist or ritual. How does seeing obedience as a “relational overflow” change the way someone might approach following Jesus? [[54:25]]
John ties love to the holiness of God, saying that when we love others, we “abide in the light.” What does it mean to “abide in the light,” and how is this different from just knowing a lot about God? [[57:21]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to consider where we may have allowed “outside influencers, distractions, distortions” to affect our view of Jesus and His commands. Is there a specific area in your life where you feel distracted or pulled away from the pure message of Jesus? What would it look like to “go back to the source” this week? [[49:33]]
Think about a person in your life who is hard to love—maybe a coworker, neighbor, or even a family member. What is one small, practical act of love you could do for them this week to “flip on the light” in a dark place? [[01:09:28]]
The sermon described maturity not as knowledge or religious performance, but as a life that increasingly loves others as Jesus loved us. In what ways have you measured your own spiritual maturity? How might you need to shift your focus? [[59:14]]
The “Move to One” vision is about every person stepping into at least one discipleship relationship. Who is someone you could intentionally invest in or invite into a spiritual conversation or relationship this month? [[35:44]]
The sermon gave examples of small acts—welcoming a stranger, making room for someone, serving without selfish motives. Which of these (or another small act) could you commit to doing at church or in your community this week? [[01:09:28]]
The pastor said, “Obedience is not a checklist or a ritual, but a relational response to the love we have received.” What is one way you can intentionally connect with Jesus this week (prayer, worship, reading Scripture) so that your love for others flows out of that relationship? [[54:25]]
The sermon mentioned that sometimes, the longer people are in church, the more cynical or critical they can become. Have you noticed this in yourself or others? What steps can you take to keep your heart soft and loving toward others, even when it’s difficult? [[59:54]]

Sermon Clips

And he's saying, hey, here's why it's new. All those commands. 613. The whole triune God and love existing within the trinity. All like Deuteronomy. Love God. Leviticus. Love your neighbor as yourself. All of that was fulfilled. Outwardly. Intrinsically. In a person. His name is Jesus Christ. It's a new command. It's a new command. Jesus embodies and empowers us to embody obedience through love. That's why John says, this is true in Jesus. This should shock you. But it's also true in us. And you. This same love that we just described. It's true in him. But Jesus didn't just embody it. He empowers us by the power of the Holy Spirit to embody it before our onlooking world as well. [00:51:42] (64 seconds) #EmpoweredByLove

And so it's not anymore just this ethereal command that we're supposed to obey God, love people, walk as God walked. We have. It's relational. It's personal. It's vivid. We get to look at Jesus. And not just see like, oh, we're supposed to do this. But we get to see how to do this in the life of Jesus. And we're empowered to actually do it. It's a new command. That you and I get to walk in. [00:52:46] (27 seconds) #AbideInTrueLight

And it's not just John. This is across the New Testament. Peter said it. Above all, love one another deeply. Paul tells Timothy the goal of our instruction is love. Jesus. By this all people will know you are my disciples. If you have memorized the Torah. If you can impress your friends at the next Bible trivia. Oh, that's not. Is that what it says in your Bible, John 13, 34? By this all people will know you are my disciples if you love one another. That's maturity. [00:59:12] (37 seconds) #LoveLightsDarkness

There's too much darkness. And last time I checked, Jesus said, no, you are the light of the world. You know what's interesting about light? Is when light shows up, darkness has to flee. That's what happens when light shows up. [01:03:24] (18 seconds) #LoveChangesEverything

``And John says, how do we do that in our world? What do we do about all these dark things, this evil that we see outside and inside of us? What do we do? You love. And when you love, you're flipping on every light. And the darkness has to flee. It's powerful. It's supernatural. [01:04:42] (23 seconds)

And that's the beauty of it all, is people are hard to love. People are a mess. But when you step into that mess and you say, I'm going to love them, that has to be outside of you. Amen? That's the love of a supernatural Jesus Christ who loves perfectly with no selfish ambition, who died for people because he loved them, who rose for people because he loved them. And as you get to know Jesus, and you love people that are hard to love with that kind of love, it changes things. Darkness flees. Sin breaks. Evil breaks. When you love like that, even though people are hard. [01:06:43] (40 seconds)

But if I say we have the love of the Father, John calls us beloved. The same title in Mark chapter 1 where God the Father tells Jesus the Son, you are my beloved son. I love you because I love you. Jesus hasn't done anything yet to prove that love. He just loves them. And if we do that, even as people walk in this room. If we do that as we engage people at lunch today. If we do that at home with our neighbors. People, what's going on with that? There must be a greater love. And it's the love of the Father. And he changes everything. [01:12:46] (40 seconds)

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