Radical Love: Breaking Boundaries in Discipleship
Summary
Today’s gathering centered on the radical, boundary-breaking love to which Jesus calls us. We began by remembering that the mark of true discipleship is not a set of rules, rituals, or outward signs, but the way we love one another. This love is not just a feeling or a word, but an action—something lived out in community, in the way we care for each other, welcome the stranger, and extend grace beyond our comfort zones.
Reflecting on Jesus’ words in John 13, “Love one another as I have loved you,” we explored how this commandment was revolutionary in its time and remains so today. Rather than being known by what we wear, eat, or avoid, we are to be known by our love—a love that is visible, tangible, and inclusive. We considered the difference between filio, the love of friendship and familiarity, and agape, the unconditional, moral love that God extends to all people. Jesus calls us to agape: to love not just those we know and like, but those who are different, even those we might be tempted to exclude.
The story of Peter’s vision in Acts reminded us how God continually pushes us beyond our boundaries. Peter, raised to see certain people and things as “unclean,” is confronted by God’s insistence that nothing and no one is beyond the reach of divine love. This vision was not just about food, but about people—about welcoming those previously considered outsiders into the full life of the community. We acknowledged how easy it is to fall into patterns of exclusion, whether based on race, background, politics, or other differences, and how Jesus’ call is to break down those barriers.
We also celebrated our own church’s heritage of breaking boundaries—ordaining the first African-American, the first woman, and the first openly gay minister in our tradition. These milestones were not inevitable; they happened because people were willing to listen to God’s call, wrestle with discomfort, and choose love over fear.
The challenge before us is to keep growing from filio to agape, to keep saying “yes” to God’s invitation to love more widely and deeply. May we have the courage to welcome, to include, and to love as Christ loves us.
Key Takeaways
- Love as the Defining Mark of Discipleship
Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you” is not a sentimental suggestion but a radical redefinition of what it means to belong to God. Our identity is not rooted in external markers or exclusive practices, but in the visible, sacrificial love we show to all people. This love is meant to be the unmistakable sign of our faith, challenging us to embody grace in every relationship. [21:02]
- Moving from Filio to Agape
While filio, the love of friendship, is precious and necessary, Jesus calls us to agape—a love that is unconditional, generous, and not based on the merit or familiarity of the other. Agape love is rooted in seeing every person as an image-bearer of God, deserving of compassion and dignity. This shift requires us to move beyond our comfort zones and love even those we find difficult or different. [29:15]
- Breaking Down Boundaries and Exclusion
Peter’s vision in Acts is a powerful reminder that God’s love knows no boundaries. The call to welcome those previously considered “outsiders” is not just a historical moment but an ongoing challenge for us. We are invited to examine our own boundaries—whether cultural, political, or personal—and to let God’s Spirit lead us into deeper inclusion and hospitality. [29:56]
- The Cost and Courage of Expanding the Circle
The history of our church tradition is marked by moments when people chose to break with convention and welcome those who had been excluded. These decisions were not easy or obvious; they required wrestling with discomfort, risking misunderstanding, and trusting God’s leading. True agape love often asks us to risk our comfort and security for the sake of a more just and loving community. [36:35]
- Love in Action: From Community to the World
The love we practice within our church community is meant to overflow into the wider world. It is not enough to care for those who are already “in”; we are called to extend grace, welcome, and advocacy to those on the margins. This outward movement of love is the heartbeat of the gospel and the ongoing work of the Spirit among us. [32:35]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - Call to Worship and Opening Prayer
[01:37] - Opening Hymn: Joyful, Joyful
[07:30] - Announcements and Concert Preview
[08:25] - Upcoming Bible Study: Resistance as Followers of Jesus
[13:16] - Gloria and Transition
[17:18] - Gospel Reading: John 13:31-35
[18:29] - Acts Reading (The Message Paraphrase)
[19:39] - Peter’s Vision and Its Meaning
[21:02] - The New Commandment: Known by Love
[22:47] - Love in the Bethel Community
[23:59] - The Challenge of Loving Beyond Our Group
[26:42] - The “Isms” That Divide Us
[28:20] - Filio and Agape: Two Kinds of Love
[29:15] - God’s Unconditional Love
[29:56] - Peter’s Vision: Welcoming the Outsider
[32:35] - Moving from Comfort to Agape
[33:29] - When God Calls Us Out of Our Comfort Zone
[34:22] - UCC’s Boundary-Breaking Heritage
[36:35] - The Courage to Break Boundaries
[41:14] - Prayers for the World and Community
[51:27] - Assurance and Lord’s Prayer
[53:20] - Offering and Dedication
[56:07] - Closing Hymn and Benediction
[58:56] - Sending Forth: Go in Peace
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Known by Love
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### Bible Reading
John 13:31-35 (NRSV)
> When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Acts 11:1-18 (paraphrased in sermon)
> Peter recounts his vision of the sheet from heaven, God’s command to not call unclean what God has made clean, and the inclusion of Gentiles into the community of faith.
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 13:34-35, what does Jesus say will be the defining mark of his disciples?
2. According to the story in Acts 11, what was Peter’s initial reaction to God’s vision, and what did God tell him about what is “clean” or “unclean”? ([18:29])
3. The sermon described two types of love: filio and agape. What is the difference between these two, according to the message? ([28:20])
4. What examples did the sermon give of people or groups who were once considered “outsiders” but were later welcomed into the church’s full life? ([34:22])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose love—not rules, rituals, or outward signs—as the way people would recognize his followers? What does this say about what matters most in Christian community? ([21:02])
2. How does Peter’s vision in Acts challenge the boundaries that existed in the early church? What boundaries in our own lives or church might God be asking us to cross? ([29:56])
3. The sermon talked about moving from filio (love of friends) to agape (unconditional love). Why is this shift so difficult, and what does it require from us? ([29:15])
4. The church’s history includes moments of breaking boundaries (race, gender, sexuality). What do these stories teach us about the cost and courage of following Jesus’ command to love? ([36:35])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said, “Our identity is not rooted in external markers or exclusive practices, but in the visible, sacrificial love we show to all people.” What are some ways you have seen or experienced this kind of love in our church or community? Where do you think we could grow? ([21:02])
2. Think about someone in your life who is “outside” your comfort zone—maybe because of background, beliefs, or personality. What would it look like to move from filio to agape love toward that person? Is there a specific step you could take this week? ([32:35])
3. The sermon gave examples of people who are kind to their own group but exclude others. Are there groups or individuals you find yourself tempted to exclude, even unintentionally? What might it look like to welcome them as Christ welcomes you? ([25:12])
4. Peter hesitated when God called him to reach out to people he’d been taught to avoid. Have you ever felt God nudging you to cross a boundary or reach out to someone different? How did you respond, or how might you respond next time? ([33:29])
5. The sermon celebrated the church’s heritage of breaking boundaries, but also said these moments were not easy or inevitable. What fears or discomforts might keep us from saying “yes” to God’s invitation to love more widely? How can we support each other in taking those risks? ([36:35])
6. The love we practice in church is meant to overflow into the world. Is there a place in your neighborhood, workplace, or city where you sense God calling you to extend welcome or advocacy? What’s one small action you could take this month? ([32:35])
7. The message ended with a prayer for courage to love as Christ loves us. What is one area of your life where you need God’s courage to love more deeply or inclusively? How can the group pray for you in this? ([37:26])
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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for courage to love beyond comfort zones, to welcome the stranger, and to be known by love in all relationships.
Devotional
Day 1: Love One Another as Christ Loves Us
Jesus calls us to a radical, boundary-breaking love that goes beyond our comfort zones and familiar circles, inviting us to love others as He has loved us—unconditionally and sacrificially. This love is not just a feeling or a word, but an action that is visible in the way we treat one another, especially those who are different from us. In a world that often divides by group, background, or belief, Christ’s command is to be known by our love, not by our rules or distinctions. When we love as Jesus loves, we become living witnesses to His presence and power in the world. [17:18]
John 13:31-35 (ESV)
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 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: Who is someone outside your usual circle that you can show Christ-like love to this week, even if it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar?
Day 2: God’s Welcome Breaks Down Barriers
God’s vision for the church is one where all are welcomed, regardless of background, tradition, or perceived “cleanliness.” Just as Peter was challenged to move beyond his lifelong boundaries and welcome Gentiles, we too are called to break down the walls that separate us from others. God’s Spirit moves us to embrace those we might otherwise avoid, teaching us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and grace. The church exists today because people like Peter said “yes” to God’s call to welcome the outsider. [19:39]
Acts 11:15-18 (ESV)
“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Reflection: Is there a group or individual you have kept at arm’s length? How might you take a step toward welcoming them as God welcomes you?
Day 3: From Filio to Agape—Growing in Unconditional Love
There is a difference between loving those we know and trust (filio) and the unconditional, generous love (agape) that Jesus commands. While it is natural to care for those in our inner circle, Christ calls us to extend agape love to all people, not based on their merit or our comfort, but because they are beloved by God. This kind of love is not always easy, but it is the mark of true discipleship and the heart of God’s kingdom. [29:15]
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: Where in your life are you relying on comfortable, familiar love? What is one way you can practice agape love toward someone you find difficult to love?
Day 4: Breaking Boundaries for the Sake of the Gospel
Throughout history, God’s people have been called to break boundaries—welcoming those previously excluded, ordaining those once denied, and standing up for justice and inclusion. These acts of courage and faithfulness often require us to move beyond our fears and prejudices, trusting that God’s Spirit is leading us into new and holy relationships. The church’s legacy is built on moments when people chose to follow God’s call rather than cling to comfort or tradition. [36:35]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What boundary—social, cultural, or personal—do you sense God inviting you to cross for the sake of love and justice?
Day 5: Love in Action—Living Out Christ’s Command
True Christian love is not just spoken but lived out in practical, everyday actions—caring for one another, welcoming the stranger, comforting the grieving, and celebrating with the joyful. This love is visible and tangible, making the presence of Christ known in the world. When we love in this way, we become a community where all can experience God’s grace, and we fulfill Jesus’ command to be known by our love. [23:59]
James 2:14-17 (ESV)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Reflection: What is one concrete act of love you can do today to make Christ’s love visible in your community?
Quotes
In particular, Jesus challenged his disciples to be known by the way they love, sharing meals together, praying with them, crying at a friend's death, celebrating at a marriage, healing, calling them to a higher purpose, walking together on the road. [00:22:23] (19 seconds)
A lot of people, sadly a lot of people, in our country, our country which supposedly stands for equality and freedom, a lot of people here have thought or said something harmful about another person based on a group that that other person belongs to. [00:26:22] (20 seconds)
Where are we leaning on filio in our lives? Staying close to home? Spending our time and love on our inner circle when we suspect God might be calling us to something more? Where could we lean a little more into agape? Where could we find a way to love generously and selflessly those whom we might be tempted to label as other? [00:32:35] (22 seconds)
Has anybody ever felt a moment like this? Have you ever felt like God has put you in a position, or you're just there, and maybe God is there with you, where you are side by side with a person or a group of people that makes you uncomfortable for some reason? And you have to choose, now, how to respond. [00:33:42] (25 seconds)
God of mystery, you promise us a life of blessedness. If only we would learn to love as you have loved us. May the gifts we bring before you this day be a sign of our commitment to love one another well. [00:55:38] (16 seconds)
Christ has given us a new commandment. We will love one another as we go. God guides us to love the stranger. We will love one another as we go. The Spirit blesses with a new vision. We will love one another as we go. [00:58:38] (21 seconds)
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