Reflecting God's Love: Our Call as Angled Mirrors
Summary
### Summary
Welcome home, everyone. Today, we continue our series called "Reflecting Love," focusing on what it means to be human in the world. We can't achieve this without becoming new creations in Christ and partnering together to fulfill God's desire for this world. The central idea is that we are called to be mirrors, reflecting God's love to the world and back to Him. When you look in a mirror, what do you see? More importantly, what does Jesus see when He looks at you? He sees a unique creation, loved and cherished.
We discussed the concept of being angled mirrors, a term introduced by N.T. Wright. An angled mirror allows us to see in two directions, reflecting God's love to the world and the world's praise back to God. This idea is rooted in Genesis 1:26-28, where God created humans in His image to have dominion over the earth. We are called to be stewards of the world, reflecting God's love and care.
We also explored the idea of being a royal priesthood, a chosen people, as described in both Exodus and 1 Peter. This means we are God's treasured possession, standing between heaven and earth, interceding for the world, and bringing God's love to others. Our role is to be representatives of God on earth, reflecting His love and grace.
In practical terms, this means living out our faith in a way that others can see God's love through us. It means being patient, compassionate, and loving, even when it's difficult. We are called to be a community that supports each other, reflecting God's love together. Remember, we are angled mirrors, and our one job is to be human, reflecting God's love in all we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. Being an Angled Mirror: We are called to be angled mirrors, reflecting God's love to the world and the world's praise back to God. This dual reflection helps us see what we can't see on our own, allowing us to be more aware of God's presence in our lives and the lives of others. [30:15]
2. Created in God's Image: Genesis 1:26-28 reminds us that we are created in God's image, meant to have dominion over the earth. This means we are stewards of God's creation, reflecting His love and care in how we interact with the world and each other. [32:15]
3. Royal Priesthood: As described in Exodus and 1 Peter, we are a royal priesthood, a chosen people. This special status means we stand between heaven and earth, interceding for the world and bringing God's love to others. We are God's treasured possession, called to reflect His glory. [38:16]
4. Living Out Our Faith: Our role as God's representatives on earth means living out our faith in practical ways. This includes being patient, compassionate, and loving, even when it's difficult. Our actions should reflect God's love, making a difference in the lives of those around us. [40:09]
5. Community and Togetherness: We are not alone in this journey. Together, as a community, we can support each other and reflect God's love more effectively. Our collective efforts as a royal priesthood help bring heaven to earth and earth to God, fulfilling our calling to be human in God's big picture. [46:12]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Introduction to Reflecting Love
[2:30] - The Concept of Being a Mirror
[5:15] - What Do You See in the Mirror?
[10:00] - Angled Mirrors Explained
[15:45] - Genesis 1:26-28: Created in God's Image
[20:30] - The Role of a Royal Priesthood
[25:00] - Practical Implications of Being God's Representatives
[30:15] - Living Out Our Faith
[35:00] - Community and Togetherness
[40:09] - Reflecting God's Love in Daily Life
[45:00] - The Special Relationship with God
[50:06] - Conclusion and Challenge
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:26-28
2. Exodus 19:4-6
3. 1 Peter 2:9
### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1:26-28, what responsibilities were given to humans when they were created in God's image?
2. In the sermon, what does the concept of being an "angled mirror" mean? [30:15]
3. How does the passage in Exodus 19:4-6 describe the relationship between God and the Israelites?
4. What does 1 Peter 2:9 say about the identity and purpose of believers?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the idea of being created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-28) influence our understanding of our role in the world?
2. What practical implications does being an "angled mirror" have for our daily lives? [30:15]
3. How does the concept of a "royal priesthood" in 1 Peter 2:9 shape our interactions with others and our responsibilities as believers?
4. In what ways can the description of God's people in Exodus 19:4-6 be applied to the church today?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. How can you better act as an "angled mirror," reflecting God's love to those around you? [30:15]
2. Think about a recent situation where you struggled to show patience or compassion. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to better reflect God's love? [40:09]
3. In what ways can you actively participate in your community to support others and reflect God's love together? [46:12]
4. Identify one area in your life where you can improve as a steward of God's creation. What specific steps can you take to make a positive change? [32:15]
5. How can you embrace your identity as part of a "royal priesthood" in your workplace or social circles? What actions can you take to intercede for others and bring God's love to them? [38:16]
6. Consider someone in your life who is difficult to love. What practical steps can you take to show them God's love and grace this week? [48:12]
7. How can you remind yourself daily of your identity as God's treasured possession and a member of a royal priesthood? What habits or practices can help reinforce this truth? [40:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting God's Love as Angled Mirrors
We are called to be angled mirrors, reflecting God's love to the world and the world's praise back to God. This dual reflection helps us see what we can't see on our own, allowing us to be more aware of God's presence in our lives and the lives of others. An angled mirror allows us to see in two directions, reflecting God's love to the world and the world's praise back to God. This idea is rooted in Genesis 1:26-28, where God created humans in His image to have dominion over the earth. We are called to be stewards of the world, reflecting God's love and care. [30:15]
"Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to reflect God's love but found it challenging. How can you approach a similar situation differently this week to better reflect His love?
Day 2: Created in God's Image for Stewardship
Genesis 1:26-28 reminds us that we are created in God's image, meant to have dominion over the earth. This means we are stewards of God's creation, reflecting His love and care in how we interact with the world and each other. Being created in God's image is not just a status but a responsibility. We are to mirror His attributes—love, justice, mercy—in our daily lives. This stewardship extends to how we treat the environment, animals, and our fellow human beings. [32:15]
"And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" (Genesis 1:28, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one way you can better steward God's creation this week, whether through recycling, conserving energy, or showing kindness to others. How will you implement this change?
Day 3: Embracing Our Role as a Royal Priesthood
As described in Exodus and 1 Peter, we are a royal priesthood, a chosen people. This special status means we stand between heaven and earth, interceding for the world and bringing God's love to others. We are God's treasured possession, called to reflect His glory. This role involves both privilege and responsibility. We are to be mediators, bringing the needs of the world before God and bringing God's love and truth to the world. [38:16]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs intercession. How can you stand in the gap for them this week, both in prayer and in action?
Day 4: Living Out Our Faith in Practical Ways
Our role as God's representatives on earth means living out our faith in practical ways. This includes being patient, compassionate, and loving, even when it's difficult. Our actions should reflect God's love, making a difference in the lives of those around us. Living out our faith is not just about grand gestures but also about small, everyday acts of kindness and love. It means being consistent in our walk with God, even when no one is watching. [40:09]
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one practical way you can show God's love to someone today. What specific action will you take to make this happen?
Day 5: The Power of Community and Togetherness
We are not alone in this journey. Together, as a community, we can support each other and reflect God's love more effectively. Our collective efforts as a royal priesthood help bring heaven to earth and earth to God, fulfilling our calling to be human in God's big picture. Community is essential for spiritual growth and for fulfilling our mission. When we come together, we can achieve more and support each other in ways that would be impossible alone. [46:12]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a way you can contribute to your community this week. How can you support someone in your church or local community in a meaningful way?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What does Jesus see when he looks at you? That's a little bit frightening, isn't it? What does he see? Do you think he likes you? Theologically, we know he loves. But does he like you? Does he see? Does he smile and he says, this is my delightful child in whom I am well pleased? Have you heard him say that? Because that's what he thinks." [30:15] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So here's the question. What does the world see when it sees you? Does it see an angry, irritable, complaining person who demands to be served first or get their way? What does the world see? Does it see compassion and love and patience? I know sometimes it sees my irritability and my ego screaming out to be noticed. And in those moments, I need to take a breath and remember to connect with my God who lives within me." [34:22] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So tomorrow when you look in the mirror, you say, chosen, royal priesthood, part of a holy nation, God's own people. How different would that make your morning? When you look in that mirror." [40:09] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are the people that stand between heaven and earth. What does a royal priesthood do? Well, the priests, if you remember, were meant to offer sacrifices for sins. We don't have to do that because Jesus became the high priest and the sacrifice. But we are people who intercede, who are there praying that the kingdom of God will come on this earth and the will of God will be done as it is in heaven on this earth." [41:56] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are reflectors of God's love to each other and the world. Together, together, together. You got it? Together. Now, I would love to challenge you today to go and speak. Not just a hello, how are you? But to have a rich conversation with someone you don't usually speak with. How hard is that? It's hard. Except we're all here together. We've heard the same message. So we've got a common starting point. Okay? So you do it. Let us do it together." [50:06] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The big idea of this series is being human in the world. We can't do this without becoming new creations in Christ, partnering together to fulfill God's desire for this world. Isn't that good?" [28:32] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It seems, quoting from N.T. Wright again, that God has put humans like an angled mirror in the world so that God can reflect his love from us to the world. You got that? And the stewardship of the world through humans so that the rest of the world can praise the creator through us. Us to the world, the world through us back to God." [32:15] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So God treasures all, but his people have that special relationship with God. And we are treasured above all. Isn't it interesting that where our treasure is, there our heart is. So we too need to learn what it means to be treasured by our God." [46:12] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are the royal priesthood. We are the angled mirror. We are humans made in the image of God to bring glory to him. So what do priests do? What do priests do? We stand between the sinner and the holy. We mediate. We are God's chosen to be representatives on this earth for the ones yet to believe." [48:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So let's recognize who we are, whether knowingly or unknowingly, we will always represent God. We are reflectors of God's love to each other and the world. Together, together, together. You got it? Together." [50:06] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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