Radical Love: Embracing God's New Beginnings
Summary
In the upper room, just after Judas departs to betray him, Jesus turns to his disciples and offers not a plan or a strategy, but a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” This is not a sentimental or easy love, but a radical, embodied love—one that washes feet, shares tables, forgives enemies, and carries the cross. The disciples, like many of us, thought they understood what was coming, that they had a plan for the future. But Jesus upends their expectations, calling them not to certainty or control, but to a love that is costly, messy, and transformative.
We often crave plans and predictability, but God’s movement is rarely so tidy. All our strategies are “subject to change,” and new beginnings often come when we least expect them. The call is not to cling to what we know, but to root ourselves in the simplicity and challenge of Christ’s love. This love is not theoretical or optional; it is the very mark of discipleship. It is a love that moves into the neighborhood, that takes up residence among those who are hurting, unseen, or on the margins.
God’s vision, as echoed in Revelation, is of a world made new—a world where God dwells with humanity, wipes away every tear, and abolishes pain and death. If God has moved into the neighborhood, the question for us is whether we are willing to do the same. Our neighbor is not just the person next door, but anyone in need—especially those we might otherwise avoid or overlook. The challenge is to love in a way that costs us something, to be present rather than programmatic, to live out a welcome that is more than words.
This is a moment of decision: will we be content to maintain what is comfortable, or will we join God in making all things new? The invitation is to build a community not measured by attendance, but by impact; not by words, but by witness. Let us move in, as God has, and love with such boldness that people see God in us and among us. The new beginning starts here, with love.
Key Takeaways
- Love as a Command, Not a Sentiment
Jesus’s call to love one another is not a gentle suggestion or a sweet idea, but a commissioning that demands action. This love is modeled after Christ’s own—sacrificial, embodied, and often uncomfortable. It is a love that requires us to show up, even when it costs us, and to persist in loving those who may be difficult to love. This is the true mark of discipleship, not just belief or belonging. [05:18]
- Letting Go of Our Plans for God’s Newness
We often cling to our own plans and expectations, believing we know what God is doing or where life is headed. Yet, God’s movement is unpredictable, and all our strategies are “subject to change.” True faith means releasing our grip on certainty and embracing the new beginnings God brings, even when they disrupt our patterns and comfort. This openness is the soil in which God’s new work takes root. [04:23]
- Embodied Love Moves Into the Neighborhood
God’s love is not distant or abstract; it is a love that “moves into the neighborhood,” taking up residence among us. To follow Christ is to do likewise—to be present with those who are hurting, marginalized, or unseen. This means going beyond programs or slogans and living lives of tangible, costly presence and compassion. Our witness is proven not by what we say, but by how we show up. [08:23]
- Redefining Who Our Neighbor Is
Jesus redefines “neighbor” as anyone in need, especially those we might avoid or consider unworthy. The call is not to decide who deserves love, but to love as Christ loved us—recklessly, inclusively, and without reservation. Our neighbors are the unseen, the unwelcome, the wounded, and the different; loving them is how we join God’s work of making all things new. [09:10]
- Impact Over Attendance: The Church’s True Measure
The purpose of our community is not to maintain comfort or count numbers, but to make a real impact through radical love. We are called to be a safe harbor, a table of welcome, and the hands and feet of Jesus in our city. This requires courage to lean into the world’s pain and brokenness, trusting that God is already at work making all things new—starting with us. [12:05]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Setting the Scene: The Last Supper
[00:48] - Jesus Announces His Departure
[01:31] - The New Commandment: Love One Another
[02:25] - The Disciples’ Expectations and Plans
[03:45] - When Our Plans Aren’t God’s Plans
[04:23] - Embracing Change and New Beginnings
[05:18] - The Challenge of Christlike Love
[06:12] - What Kind of Love?
[07:18] - God Moves Into the Neighborhood
[08:23] - Embodied Love and Presence
[09:10] - Who Is My Neighbor?
[10:15] - Loving Without Reservation
[11:11] - Love That Costs Us Something
[12:05] - Impact Over Attendance
[13:22] - Building a New Beginning
[14:18] - God Makes All Things New
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Love That Moves In”
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### Bible Reading
- John 13:31-38
(Jesus gives the new commandment to love one another as he has loved us, just after Judas leaves the Last Supper.)
- Revelation 21:3-5
(“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people… He will wipe every tear from their eyes… I am making everything new.”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 13:34-35, what does Jesus say will be the mark by which people recognize his disciples?
2. According to the sermon, what kind of love does Jesus model for his followers? Name some specific actions mentioned. [05:52]
3. In Revelation 21:3-5, what are some of the things God promises to do when he “moves into the neighborhood”?
4. The sermon describes the disciples as having their own plans and expectations for the future. What event in the passage disrupts those plans? [03:29]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus gives a command to love, rather than a plan or a strategy, at this crucial moment with his disciples? [06:45]
2. The sermon says Jesus’s love is “costly, messy, and transformative.” What does it mean for love to be “costly” or “messy” in real life? [07:02]
3. How does the idea of God “moving into the neighborhood” challenge the way we usually think about God’s presence and our own role in the world? [08:23]
4. The sermon redefines “neighbor” as anyone in need, especially those we might avoid. How does this challenge our usual boundaries or comfort zones? [09:10]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “We often crave plans and predictability, but God’s movement is rarely so tidy.” Can you think of a time when your plans were disrupted, and it led to something new God was doing in your life? How did you respond? [04:23]
2. Jesus’s command is to “love one another as I have loved you.” Who in your life right now is hard for you to love? What would it look like to love them in a way that costs you something? [05:52]
3. The sermon talks about love that “moves into the neighborhood”—being present with those who are hurting or on the margins. Is there someone in your community or city who feels unseen or unwelcome? What is one practical step you could take to show up for them this week? [08:23]
4. The message says, “Our neighbor is not just the person next door, but anyone in need—especially those we might otherwise avoid or overlook.” Who might that be for you? What keeps you from reaching out to them? [09:10]
5. The church is called to be measured “not by attendance, but by impact.” What would it look like for our group (or church) to focus more on impact than on numbers? Can you think of a way we could make a difference together? [12:05]
6. The sermon asks, “Can we love our neighbors so fully that people see God in us?” What is one change you could make in your daily routine to be more present and loving toward others? [12:05]
7. The new beginning starts with love. What is one area of your life where you need a new beginning, and how could you invite God’s love into that place this week? [14:18]
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Devotional
Day 1: Love One Another as Jesus Has Loved You
Jesus calls His followers to a radical, embodied love—not just a sentiment or polite gesture, but a love that is lived out in action, even when it is difficult or costly. This love is the very mark of discipleship, the way the world will recognize those who belong to Jesus. It is a commissioning to love with the same depth, sacrifice, and commitment that Jesus Himself demonstrated, including footwashing, table-sharing, enemy-forgiving, and cross-carrying love. [05:52]
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: Who in your life today needs to experience the kind of sacrificial, persistent love that Jesus has shown you? How can you show up for them in a tangible way this week?
Day 2: God Moves Into the Neighborhood
God’s love is not distant or abstract; it is a love that moves in, takes up residence, and gets involved in the lives of people. The imagery of God moving into the neighborhood reminds us that love is about presence, about being with and for others, and about making a home among those who need hope and healing. This is the kind of love that transforms communities and makes all things new. [08:40]
Revelation 21:3-5 (ESV)
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you “move into the neighborhood” this week—being present and involved in the lives of those around you, especially those who feel unseen or alone?
Day 3: Our Neighbor Is the One Who Needs Our Love
Jesus redefines “neighbor” as not just those who are like us or live near us, but anyone in need—especially those we might otherwise overlook or avoid. The call is to love those who are different, marginalized, or even difficult, without first deciding if they deserve it. This is the radical inclusivity of Jesus’ love, which reaches across boundaries and barriers. [10:15]
Luke 10:36-37 (ESV)
"Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, 'The one who showed him mercy.' And Jesus said to him, 'You go, and do likewise.'"
Reflection: Who in your community or daily life do you tend to overlook or avoid? What is one step you can take today to extend mercy and love to them?
Day 4: Love Is Not About Programs, But Presence
True love is not measured by church programs, attendance, or slogans, but by the real, lived presence of God’s people in the world. It is about showing up, bearing witness, and living in such a way that others see God’s love in action. This kind of love costs something—it requires us to go out, to be with others, and to make an impact that is felt, not just spoken. [12:05]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
"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: How can you move beyond words and programs to be a living witness of God’s love in your neighborhood or workplace this week?
Day 5: New Beginnings Start With Love
Every new season, every new beginning in the life of a community or individual, is rooted not in strategy or structure, but in the bold, radical love of God. When we love with courage and compassion, we join God in making all things new—starting with ourselves and radiating out into the world. The invitation is to examine our “why” and to let love be the foundation of all we do. [14:18]
1 John 4:12 (ESV)
"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: As you consider the new beginnings in your life or community, what would it look like to let love—not fear or comfort—be your starting point and guiding principle?
Quotes
The disciples also thought they had a plan. They also thought that they were in the know. They knew what was coming. They were a part of this revolution that Jesus was bringing. They were a part of a revolution that was going to overthrow the government. They thought or it seems that they thought they had no idea what was coming. Their plan wasn't God's plan. Their plan wasn't the way that it was going. [00:03:22]
Planning is hard when you don't know what to expect. I don't know about you, but I struggle with not having a plan. My mom, when I was growing up, would always because I struggled when the plan didn't go the way the plan was supposed to go in my head. I still struggle in that, y'all. [00:03:54]
But my mom would say to me, "This is what we're going to do." But no, all things are subject to change. All plans are subject to change. And a new beginning is is hard. Especially a new beginning when you've kind of fallen into a pattern, when you kind of think you know what already is going on, when you think you already know how this is going to go. [00:04:20]
But here we are at salt where we think we know and yet we don't. Where we think that we h know the pattern and yet a new pattern is coming. Something new is coming. And we don't know what this next season will look like. a new beginning that's rooted not in strategy or in structure, but that's rooted in the simplicity of Jesus's words to love one another just as I've loved you. [00:04:48]
And that's not just a sweet sentiment. I mean, let's be clear, love never is just such a sweet sentiment. We think it is. We want to pretend it is. We want to believe it is, but it's not. Love is hard. And Jesus isn't giving a sentiment to love. Jesus is giving a commissioning, a challenge. [00:05:26]
Jesus has thrown down the gauntlet and said, "You need to love one another as I have loved you." Because Jesus isn't talking about an ordinary love. Jesus is talking about the kind of love that Jesus has. footwashing love, tablesharing love, intim enemy forgiving love, cross carrying love. And this is a kind of love that Jesus says is how we know that we belong to to him. [00:05:49]
And in that moment, Jesus doesn't give them a battle plan. Jesus doesn't call them into a theology test. Jesus gives them a command, a commandment. Love. Love just as I have loved you. This isn't a theoretical love. This is not an optional love. It's not even a polite love. It's an embodied love. It's a messy love. [00:06:42]
It's a love that requires showing up over and over and over again, even when it costs us something. Which brings us to this this scripture in Revelation. It kind of echoes this in Revelation 21 3-5. And it says, "I heard a voice thunder from the throne. Look, look. God is moving into the neighborhood, making God's home with men and women." [00:07:18]
They're God's people. God's their God. God will wipe every tear from their eye. Death is gone for good. Tears are gone. Crying is gone. Pain is gone. All the first order of things are gone. The enthroned continue. Look, I'm making everything new. Write it all down. Each word dependable and accurate. [00:07:44]
And I'll tell you y'all, I love this imagery. This imagery of God moving into the neighborhood. God moving in next door. God coming, shipping all his bags, moving in, setting up household, being being right next door. And that's what love does. Love moves in. Love takes up residence. Love gets involved. [00:08:11]
So here's the question for us here at Salt. If God has moved into the neighborhood, are we willing to do the same? Jesus was once asked, "Who is my neighbor?" And and quite frankly, it was a lawyer who was trying to trick him up. trip him up. He was trying to trick him. Maybe that was trick him up. [00:08:44]
And Jesus responds with this story of the good Samaritan. A reminder that our neighbor is not just the person next door, but our neighbor is someone that quite possibly we'd cross the street to avoid. If we're going to be a people of love, the question isn't who have we loved. The question is who needs our love right now? [00:09:08]
Who in our community feels unseen? Who feels unwelcome? Who feels unworthy? Those, my friends, are our neighbors. The teen who was kicked out of their house because of who they love. The single parent who's working two jobs and barely making it. The veteran who's carrying invisible wounds. The person struggling with addiction with recovery or despair. [00:09:36]
You see, our neighbor is the one who doesn't look like us, who doesn't vote like us, who doesn't worship like us, and maybe doesn't even like us. You see, Jesus doesn't ask us to decide if they deserve love. Jesus tells us to love them as Jesus loved us. And I think this is our moment. This is our rubber meets the road moment. [00:10:07]
This is when we change, when we grow, when we morph, when we turn into who we are called to be. When we decide that we are a part of God moving into the neighborhood. You see, we're not simply here to maintain a ministry. We're not here just to show up for worship when it's convenient for us. [00:10:36]
We are not here just to anything. We are here to love. To love in a way that costs us something. To love in a way that makes us go out to others. To love in a way that looks like Jesus. We're here to join God in making something new. And that means that we just don't wait for people to come to us. We go to where they are. [00:11:06]
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