Proving Our Love for God Through Action

Devotional

Day 1: Our Identity as God's Children

Understanding that we are God's children should profoundly impact our self-perception and interactions with others. This identity is not earned but given through God's lavish love, demonstrated by Christ's sacrifice while we were utterly incapable of helping ourselves. This truth should humble us and inspire us to live differently. Our position as God's children is a profound truth that should change how we see ourselves and others. This identity is not based on our merit but on God's lavish love, demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice. The world may not understand or accept us because it did not understand Jesus, but our identity in Him remains secure. [09:03]

1 John 3:1-2 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."

Reflection: How does knowing you are a child of God change the way you view yourself and others today? Can you think of a specific way to live out this identity in your interactions?

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Day 2: The World's Misunderstanding

The world will never fully understand believers because it did not understand Jesus. This explains why Christians have always faced ridicule, opposition, and persecution. If we are not experiencing any form of rejection for our faith, it might indicate that we have more of the world in us than Jesus. Our identity in Christ should set us apart, even if it means facing misunderstanding and hostility. The world may not understand or accept us because it did not understand Jesus, but our identity in Him remains secure. [12:21]

John 15:18-19 (ESV): "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

Reflection: Are you experiencing any form of rejection or misunderstanding because of your faith? How can you find comfort in knowing that Jesus faced the same?

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Day 3: The Promise of Transformation

Our hope in Christ includes the promise that we will be transformed to be like Him when He returns. This future reality should motivate us to live in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship. Our current bodies, weak and perishable, will be raised in power and glory, just as Christ was. This promise gives us hope and a reason to live differently now. The promise we have is that when Christ returns, we will be transformed to be like Him. This future hope should motivate us to live differently now. [17:27]

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV): "So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."

Reflection: How does the promise of future transformation impact your daily life and decisions? What is one specific way you can live out this hope today?

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Day 4: The Call to Purity

True love for God should lead us to pursue purity in every area of our lives, not just in sexual matters. Purity is a lifelong pursuit for all believers, not just a struggle for teenagers. We must set boundaries and live transparently, allowing God's love to transform us from the inside out. This involves making sacrifices and living in a way that may seem foolish to the world. True love for God should lead us to live pure lives, not just in sexual matters but in every area. [19:20]

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to pursue greater purity? What boundaries can you set today to help you live a more transparent and holy life?

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Day 5: Experiencing God's Love

Experiencing God's love is not just about knowing that He loves us but receiving and living out that love. This love should make us look different from the world. To say yes to God, we often have to say no to other things, even good things. This may lead to misunderstanding and opposition, but it is a necessary part of living out our faith. Experiencing God's love is not just a concept but something to be received and lived out. [32:04]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How can you actively receive and live out God's love today? What is one thing you need to say no to in order to say yes to God?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In our summer series, "Prove It," we have been exploring the book of 1 John, challenging ourselves to prove our faith through tangible actions. Faith is not just an abstract concept but a real, lived experience that should be evident in our lives. We've been encouraged to bring our Bibles to church, emphasizing the importance of engaging with God's Word directly. The series has focused on questions that help us evaluate our relationship with God, such as whether we are obeying His commands, loving our neighbors, and growing spiritually.

Today, we shifted from proving that we know God to proving that we love God. Knowing about God is not enough; it must transform our lives. We began by asking if we are experiencing God's love in a deep, personal way. This love is not just a concept but something to be received and lived out. We delved into 1 John 3:1-3, which highlights three key aspects: our position as children of God, our promise of transformation, and our call to purity.

Our position as God's children is a profound truth that should change how we see ourselves and others. This identity is not based on our merit but on God's lavish love, demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice. The world may not understand or accept us because it did not understand Jesus, but our identity in Him remains secure.

The promise we have is that when Christ returns, we will be transformed to be like Him. This future hope should motivate us to live differently now. Our current bodies, weak and perishable, will be raised in power and glory, just as Christ was.

Finally, our purity is essential. True love for God should lead us to live pure lives, not just in sexual matters but in every area. Purity is not just a struggle for teenagers but a lifelong pursuit for all believers. We must set boundaries and live transparently, allowing God's love to transform us from the inside out.

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Key Takeaways

1. perception and interactions with others. This identity is not earned but given through God's lavish love, demonstrated by Christ's sacrifice while we were utterly incapable of helping ourselves. This truth should humble us and inspire us to live differently. [09:03]
2. The World's Misunderstanding: The world will never fully understand believers because it did not understand Jesus. This explains why Christians have always faced ridicule, opposition, and persecution. If we are not experiencing any form of rejection for our faith, it might indicate that we have more of the world in us than Jesus. Our identity in Christ should set us apart, even if it means facing misunderstanding and hostility.

3. The Promise of Transformation: Our hope in Christ includes the promise that we will be transformed to be like Him when He returns. This future reality should motivate us to live in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship. Our current bodies, weak and perishable, will be raised in power and glory, just as Christ was. This promise gives us hope and a reason to live differently now.

4. The Call to Purity: True love for God should lead us to pursue purity in every area of our lives, not just in sexual matters. Purity is a lifelong pursuit for all believers, not just a struggle for teenagers. We must set boundaries and live transparently, allowing God's love to transform us from the inside out. This involves making sacrifices and living in a way that may seem foolish to the world.

5. Experiencing God's Love: Experiencing God's love is not just about knowing that He loves us but receiving and living out that love. This love should make us look different from the world. To say yes to God, we often have to say no to other things, even good things. This may lead to misunderstanding and opposition, but it is a necessary part of living out our faith.

### [09:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Importance of Bringing Your Bible
[01:54] - Proving Our Faith
[03:30] - Knowing God vs. Loving God
[05:45] - Experiencing God's Love
[07:01] - 1 John 3:1-3 Reading
[08:32] - Our Position as Children of God
[11:48] - The World's Misunderstanding
[15:42] - The Promise of Transformation
[18:47] - The Call to Purity
[27:07] - Purity Beyond Teenagers
[32:04] - Experiencing God's Love
[33:55] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does 1 John 3:1 say about our identity as believers? How does this identity come about? [07:39]
According to 1 John 3:2, what promise do we have for the future when Christ returns? [15:42]
What does 1 John 3:3 indicate about the relationship between hope in Christ and purity? [19:20]
How does the world’s misunderstanding of Jesus affect their understanding of believers, according to the sermon? [12:21]

Interpretation Questions

How should understanding our position as children of God impact our daily lives and interactions with others? [09:03]
Why might the world ridicule or oppose believers, and how should we respond to such treatment? [12:21]
What does the promise of transformation when Christ returns mean for our current way of living? [17:27]
How can the call to purity be applied beyond just sexual matters, and why is it important for all believers? [19:20]

Application Questions

Reflect on your identity as a child of God. How does this truth affect your self-perception and your interactions with others? [09:03]
Have you ever experienced misunderstanding or opposition because of your faith? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future? [12:21]
The promise of being transformed to be like Christ should motivate us to live differently now. What specific changes can you make in your life to reflect this future hope? [17:27]
Purity is a lifelong pursuit for all believers. What boundaries or practices can you implement to pursue purity in various areas of your life? [19:20]
Are you currently experiencing God's love in a deep, personal way? If not, what steps can you take to open yourself up to receiving and living out His love? [06:30]
To say yes to God, we often have to say no to other things. Identify one thing you need to say no to this week in order to say yes to God. How will you communicate this decision to those it affects? [32:04]
How can you live transparently and allow God's love to transform you from the inside out? Share one area of your life where you need to be more transparent and seek transformation. [19:20]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You can know about God and that not affect anything about your life. You can know things about God and just leave it at that. Similarly, we can know things about God, and it not change anything. It doesn't change anything we do. And so John is like, it's great. Like, knowing God is crucial. It's the foundation. But there's also loving God. Because you can't know things about God that are really true, and it not affect you. Not affect how you love him, how you love yourself, how you love others." [04:31] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Are you experiencing God's love? Not, have you ever heard that God loves you? Not, are you somewhat familiar with God's love? Not, did you ever have this God-like experience when you were standing at the side of the ocean one time and you just felt super small? Like, no, no, no. Are you presently experiencing God's love? The deep, personal love of God? Because love has to be given and received." [05:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When the lavish love of God truly takes a hold of you, it makes you do stupid things. When the lavish love of God that he pours out on us, when it finally and fully takes a hold of you, it makes you do stupid things. It does. It makes you, and I don't mean stupid like illegal. I mean like it makes you do things that other people scratch their heads and they're like, what are you, what? That makes no sense." [28:53] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Think about it. Just think about it. Put yourself in that scenario. This guy finds a treasure in the field and rather than taking it, rather than taking it for himself, stealing it, hiding it, whatever, he puts it back, he hides it again, and then he goes and in his joy begins to sacrifice, sell everything he owns." [30:09] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "In order to say yes to God this week, you're going to have to say no to something else. In order to say yes to God, you're going to have to say no to something else. Don't try to fit it in. You can't. You've already maxed it out. Don't try to fit something else in. Say no. Say no to something else. And say no to something else, maybe knowing that your decision to say no is going to make some people upset. You're saying no to this so you can say yes to God." [32:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "No one's asking you to be an expert on these. No one's asking you to write a book on how to do all these. Remember, nobody's perfect. You're not going to do any of these perfectly. But these should be a part of the trajectory of your life as a believer. They should be things that you are seeking. They should be things that you are moving towards, at least enough so that you're not other people can recognize the change in your life. Because living like this is not normal. Living like this is different. It requires you to live differently." [02:37] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If this doesn't blow your mind, at least on some level, then you either have an inaccurate view of God or an inflated view of yourself. That's really it. fact that God of the universe the God that made it all says, you are my son or you are my daughter. I call you my children. Like that should just blow our mind." [09:03] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The world will never understand believers. You know why? Because they know him. They never understood Jesus. The world is not going to understand believers. And this explains why believers over time have always been, and get this, always will be, ridiculed, mocked, ignored, opposed, abused, rejected, and persecuted by the world. Why? Because the world doesn't understand believers because it doesn't understand Jesus. And if they don't understand Jesus and Jesus is in you, guess what? They're not going to understand Jesus. They're not going to understand you." [11:48] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When you love someone, when you really love someone, don't you want that? Don't you want that love to be pure? I hope you do. You should. When you love someone, when you truly love someone, don't you yourself want to be pure? You should. I would hope that you would. This is why, honestly, most people never graduate from their grade school level of faith. It's because they want to claim Christianity. They want to claim the sonship or the daughtership of a Most High King, and they want to proceed to live life exactly the way they want to live it." [19:20] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Parents, don't you dare call your teenagers to live a life of purity that you yourself are not willing to live. Have boundaries, have guardrails, use a purity ring, doesn't matter. But parents, have the conversation where you're telling your kids your guardrails, your boundaries, what you're not doing. Everyone is called to live a life of purity." [27:07] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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