Prioritizing Relationships: Love Over Productivity
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's a joy to see you all here today. Let's begin our time of worship with a word of prayer. Father, we love you and thank you for each person here. We praise you for sending your son Jesus to give us hope. As we gather, help us to focus on you, setting aside worldly distractions. May our worship, both in song and in studying your Word, be an act of submission to your will. We pray that we draw closer to you and each other today. In Jesus' name, Amen. [01:29]
Today, I want to share something God has been putting on my heart. Recently, I've been journaling during my prayer times, especially on Monday mornings. A few weeks ago, as I was praying and journaling, I realized that God was giving me a message to share with you. This message is about the importance of relationships over productivity. [26:50]
Let's start with Galatians 5:22-23, which describes the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Notice that it says "fruit" in the singular form, not "fruits." This means that all these attributes are part of one fruit that the Holy Spirit brings into our lives when we follow Jesus. [27:32]
God is not concerned with the outcome of our efforts but with our attitude. The fruit of the Spirit focuses on our attitude rather than our productivity. This means that God values how we love and serve others more than what we produce. Relationships are always more important than our products. [31:02]
Leadership requires selfless love. In Luke 12:47-48, Jesus teaches that those who know their master's will and do not act accordingly will receive many lashes, while those who do not know will receive fewer. This passage emphasizes that those in leadership are especially responsible for loving others selflessly. We must prioritize people over productivity. [37:36]
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul explains that all that lasts is love. If we speak with the tongues of men and angels but do not have love, we are like noisy gongs or clanging cymbals. If we have the gift of prophecy and all knowledge but do not have love, we are nothing. If we give all our possessions to feed the poor but do not have love, it profits us nothing. The greatest of these is love. [44:23]
As we serve in various ministries, we must remember that people are more important than our products. Whether someone is not the best singer or burns the cornbread, what matters is their love for Jesus. We should always prioritize unity and love over perfection. [32:35]
In Philippians 2:3, Paul says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves." This attitude of humility and love should guide all our actions and interactions within the church. [42:16]
Finally, let's commit ourselves to love like Jesus. In 1 John 4:7-8, John writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." Let's ensure that we know Him and let His love shine through us. [48:47]
### Key Takeaways
1. The Fruit of the Spirit is Singular: The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, is a singular entity encompassing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This singular fruit emphasizes that God is more concerned with our attitude and the spirit in which we do things rather than our productivity. Our focus should be on embodying these attributes in our daily lives. [27:32]
2. God Values Attitude Over Outcome: God is not concerned with the outcome of our efforts but with our attitude. The prophets in the Bible were not responsible for whether people listened to them but were accountable for proclaiming God's Word. Similarly, our focus should be on serving with the right attitude, prioritizing relationships over productivity. [31:02]
3. Leadership Requires Selfless Love: In Luke 12:47-48, Jesus teaches that those in leadership are especially responsible for loving others selflessly. Leaders must prioritize people over productivity, understanding that their role is to serve and love others as Christ did. This selfless love is a crucial aspect of spiritual leadership. [37:36]
4. Love is the Greatest: In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul emphasizes that love is the greatest attribute. Without love, our actions and gifts are meaningless. Whether we speak with the tongues of men and angels, have the gift of prophecy, or give all our possessions to the poor, without love, we are nothing. Love is the foundation of all that we do and the only thing that truly lasts. [44:23]
5. Commit to Love Like Jesus: In Philippians 2:3 and 1 John 4:7-8, we are called to love one another with humility and selflessness. This love is a reflection of God's love for us and is the essence of being a follower of Jesus. We must ensure that our actions are guided by love, prioritizing people over productivity and letting God's love shine through us. [48:47]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [01:29] - Opening Prayer
3. [26:50] - Introduction: Importance of Relationships
4. [27:32] - The Fruit of the Spirit
5. [31:02] - Attitude Over Outcome
6. [37:36] - Leadership and Selfless Love
7. [44:23] - Love is the Greatest
8. [48:47] - Commit to Love Like Jesus
9. [50:56] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-23
2. Luke 12:47-48
3. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
### Observation Questions
1. What are the attributes listed as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23? How is the term "fruit" significant in this context? [27:32]
2. According to Luke 12:47-48, what is the consequence for a servant who knows their master's will but does not act accordingly? [38:29]
3. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, what does Paul say about the value of actions and gifts without love? [44:23]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon emphasize that the fruit of the Spirit is singular and not plural? How does this understanding affect our view of spiritual growth? [28:50]
2. How does the passage in Luke 12:47-48 relate to the responsibilities of leadership within the church? What does it mean to prioritize people over productivity? [39:05]
3. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul states that without love, our actions are meaningless. How does this align with the sermon's message about the importance of relationships over productivity? [45:32]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Which attribute do you find most challenging to embody, and what steps can you take to cultivate it in your daily life? [27:32]
2. Think about a time when you prioritized productivity over relationships. How did it affect your interactions with others? What can you do differently in the future to ensure that you prioritize people over tasks? [31:02]
3. In your current role, whether in church or elsewhere, how can you demonstrate selfless love as described in Luke 12:47-48? What practical actions can you take to show that you value people more than outcomes? [38:29]
4. Paul emphasizes the importance of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Identify a specific relationship in your life where you need to show more love. What concrete steps can you take this week to improve that relationship? [44:23]
5. The sermon mentioned that God is more concerned with our attitude than our productivity. How can you shift your focus from outcomes to attitudes in your service to others? [30:17]
6. Reflect on the idea that "people are more important than your product." How can this principle change the way you approach your responsibilities at work, home, or church? [31:48]
7. In 1 John 4:7-8, we are called to love one another because love is from God. How can you let God's love shine through you in a specific situation you are currently facing? [48:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Singular Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, is a singular entity encompassing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This singular fruit emphasizes that God is more concerned with our attitude and the spirit in which we do things rather than our productivity. Our focus should be on embodying these attributes in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit works within us to cultivate these qualities, and as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, these attributes should become more evident in our lives.
When we understand that the fruit of the Spirit is singular, it changes our perspective on spiritual growth. Instead of striving to develop each attribute separately, we recognize that they are all interconnected and stem from a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit. This holistic approach encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with God, knowing that as we do, the fruit of the Spirit will naturally manifest in our lives. [27:32]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which attribute of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to embody? Ask God to help you grow in this area today.
Day 2: God Values Attitude Over Outcome
God is not concerned with the outcome of our efforts but with our attitude. The prophets in the Bible were not responsible for whether people listened to them but were accountable for proclaiming God's Word. Similarly, our focus should be on serving with the right attitude, prioritizing relationships over productivity. This means that God values how we love and serve others more than what we produce. Relationships are always more important than our products.
In our daily lives, it is easy to become consumed with achieving results and meeting goals. However, God calls us to shift our focus from what we accomplish to how we accomplish it. By prioritizing our attitude and the way we treat others, we align ourselves with God's heart. This perspective helps us to see the value in every interaction and to approach our tasks with love and humility. [31:02]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Think of a recent task or project you completed. How did your attitude impact the way you approached it? How can you prioritize relationships over productivity in your current responsibilities?
Day 3: Leadership Requires Selfless Love
In Luke 12:47-48, Jesus teaches that those in leadership are especially responsible for loving others selflessly. Leaders must prioritize people over productivity, understanding that their role is to serve and love others as Christ did. This selfless love is a crucial aspect of spiritual leadership. True leadership is not about exerting power or achieving personal success but about serving others with humility and love.
As leaders, we are called to follow the example of Jesus, who demonstrated the ultimate act of selfless love by laying down His life for us. This means putting the needs of others before our own and leading with compassion and grace. When we prioritize people over productivity, we create an environment where individuals feel valued and supported, which ultimately leads to a stronger and more united community. [37:36]
1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."
Reflection: Reflect on your role as a leader, whether in your family, workplace, or church. How can you demonstrate selfless love in your leadership today?
Day 4: Love is the Greatest
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul emphasizes that love is the greatest attribute. Without love, our actions and gifts are meaningless. Whether we speak with the tongues of men and angels, have the gift of prophecy, or give all our possessions to the poor, without love, we are nothing. Love is the foundation of all that we do and the only thing that truly lasts. This passage reminds us that our primary focus should be on cultivating love in our hearts and actions.
Love is the essence of God's character and the defining mark of a true follower of Jesus. It is through love that we reflect God's nature to the world and build meaningful relationships with others. By prioritizing love in all that we do, we ensure that our actions have lasting impact and align with God's will. This perspective helps us to see the value in every person and to approach our interactions with grace and compassion. [44:23]
1 John 4:16 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you struggled to show love. How can you approach similar situations with a heart of love and compassion in the future?
Day 5: Commit to Love Like Jesus
In Philippians 2:3 and 1 John 4:7-8, we are called to love one another with humility and selflessness. This love is a reflection of God's love for us and is the essence of being a follower of Jesus. We must ensure that our actions are guided by love, prioritizing people over productivity and letting God's love shine through us. Committing to love like Jesus means putting others first and seeking to serve rather than be served.
This commitment requires us to continually examine our hearts and motives, ensuring that our actions are rooted in genuine love and compassion. By following Jesus' example, we can create a community where individuals feel valued and supported, and where God's love is evident in all that we do. This perspective helps us to see the importance of every interaction and to approach our relationships with humility and grace. [48:47]
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: How can you demonstrate the love of Jesus in your interactions today? What specific actions can you take to prioritize others and show them God's love?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "People are always more important than your product. And we need to know that. Now, make sure you got that. People are more important than your ministry. Every time. No exception. There is no exception to that because the scripture is crystal clear. And hear me on this and I want you to get this. If you can't do ministry well without being hurtful towards someone's feelings or someone in general in some other way, either you're not doing ministry well or you might not be in the right ministry." [35:45]
2. "Every relationship that you have is vastly more important than your wants or desires or preferences. And that's what God teaches. And so, God just put this on my heart. And I'll be honest with you. I started... I keep a little journal now. Lately, God... I'm just in a season in my life when God has been speaking to me as I start praying, especially on Monday mornings for some reason. I sit down with my little journal and, man, I start... I just get into the Word and God begins to speak to my heart and I start praying. And I start journaling about it. And by the time I got through a couple of weeks ago, I look at it and I think, man, this is a sermon right here. I need to preach this." [26:50]
3. "God is not concerned with the outcome of your effort, what you produce. Now, how do I know that? Because how many times have we seen in the Scripture where, you know, the prophets were not responsible for whether or not anybody listened to them or followed their instruction, but it would be on their head if they did not proclaim the Word of God? And so they were not responsible for the outcome, only going in the manner that God had sent them in order to do it." [30:17]
4. "Do we love others and let them share in it? Even if maybe we think they're not the best at it, guess what? God has a plan for them. And God can work out any of our shortcomings, He can make up for them. And if that frustrates us, hear me today. It is not their abilities that need to be worked on, it is our lack of love toward them that needs to be worked on. You see, God's working on us." [42:16]
5. "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. You see, Paul is saying, listen, you might have in you the ability to tell everybody how the cow ate the cabbage, you know better than everybody else how things ought to be, but if you can't do it in a loving, gracious way, then you're just being annoying like a clanging cymbal just banging along. And God shows us that's not how things should be." [45:32]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Love trumps productivity. Look with me in Galatians chapter 5 and we're going to look at verse 22 and 23. Now, it's describing the fruit of the Spirit, okay? And here's what it says. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law. Now, let me show you something. The fruit of the Spirit comes into the life of every single person who gives their life to Jesus to follow Him." [27:32]
2. "God has very little concern about your production. But He is infinitely concerned with the attitude that we express and how we love others as we serve Him. You see, relationships are always more important than your product. If you want me to go all Adrian Rogers and alliterate everything, people are more important than your product. Always. People are always, always more important than your product." [31:24]
3. "Leadership requires selfless love. Look with me over in Luke chapter 12 beginning in verse 47. Wouldn't you agree that if God has placed someone in leadership, we especially are responsible for this. And we especially ought to be concerned about others above things. Now, look with me. Luke chapter 12 beginning in verse 47. Part of this we're very familiar with. Some of it we might not have thought much about." [38:29]
4. "The very elemental first grade kind of thing that God does in the life of one that is supposed to be a follower of Jesus is He instills us with the fruit of the Spirit and He instills us with love. So is Christ taught you to love? Has Christ taught you to love? After all, that's the very essence of what it is to be His followers. And you might do a lot of things well, but if you're always still hung up on having your place in the pecking order and you're not loving others unconditionally, then y'all we hadn't grown one bit and we need to commit ourselves to grow in Christ so they can make us what we need to be." [47:04]
5. "Whether someone is always killing the plants or burning the cornbread or singing off key or whatever fleshly carnal measure that you might attempt to measure ministry in, what matters is that you love the Lord and it shows through. Now, you say, what does that have to do with anything? Well, y'all listen. No matter what ministry or activity in a church you may be involved in, whether someone is always killing the plants or burning the cornbread or singing off key or whatever fleshly carnal measure that you might attempt to measure ministry in." [35:16]
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