Shining Christ's Love Amidst Tragedy in Myanmar
Summary
In the midst of the chaos and tragedy in Myanmar, where a devastating earthquake has compounded the ongoing civil war, there is a unique opportunity for the church to shine the light of Christ. Many people are now more open to hearing about Jesus, and it is our responsibility to respond with love and support. We can help by providing essential resources like food, water, and shelter through the Love Asia fund. This is a call to action for us to pray for the people of Myanmar and to consider how we can contribute to their needs.
As we reflect on the teachings of 1 John, we are reminded of the profound love of God. John emphasizes love repeatedly, using the word 27 times in just 15 verses. This love is not just a feeling but a transformative force that changes us from the inside out. It is a love that is rooted in the sacrifice of Jesus, who became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. This is a love that drives out fear and gives us confidence before God.
The story of the prodigal son illustrates the heart of God towards those who are lost. God sees people not as good or bad, but as lost or found. This perspective challenges us to view others with compassion and to reach out to them with the love of Christ. Self-righteousness, on the other hand, is a barrier that prevents us from truly loving others. It is a mindset that we must actively resist, as it does not reflect the heart of Jesus.
Jesus' parables teach us that lost people matter to God, and there is great rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents. This is a call for us to align our hearts with God's heart, to see people as valuable, and to reach out to them with the love and grace that we have received. As we go about our week, let us be mindful of those who are lost and be intentional in showing them the love of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Tragedy often opens hearts to the gospel. In Myanmar, the earthquake has created a unique opportunity for the church to share the love of Jesus with those who are suffering. We are called to respond with compassion and support, providing for their physical and spiritual needs. [12:46]
- God's love is transformative. In 1 John, we learn that love is not just an emotion but a powerful force that changes us. It drives out fear and gives us confidence before God. This love is rooted in the sacrifice of Jesus, who became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. [29:00]
- Self-righteousness is a barrier to love. It is a mindset that prevents us from truly loving others and does not reflect the heart of Jesus. We must actively resist self-righteousness and instead view others with compassion, seeing them as valuable and in need of God's love. [46:55]
- God sees people as lost or found, not good or bad. The story of the prodigal son illustrates God's heart towards those who are lost. This perspective challenges us to reach out to others with the love and grace that we have received, aligning our hearts with God's heart. [01:08:20]
- There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. Jesus' parables teach us that lost people matter to God, and we are called to join in the celebration by reaching out to them with the love of Christ. Let us be intentional in showing love to those who are far from God. [01:03:57]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Myanmar Earthquake and Call to Action
[05:00] - Prayer for Myanmar
[07:30] - Introduction to 1 John
[10:00] - The Transformative Power of Love
[12:46] - Communion and God's Love
[15:00] - The Apostle of Love
[20:00] - Love Looks Good on You
[25:00] - The Danger of Self-Righteousness
[30:00] - Jesus' Parables on Lost and Found
[35:00] - The Prodigal Son
[40:00] - Seeing People as Lost and Found
[45:00] - Rejoicing in Heaven
[50:00] - Aligning Our Hearts with God's Heart
[55:00] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 4:7-10
2. 2 Corinthians 5:21
3. Luke 15:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 John 4:7-10, how does John describe the nature of God's love and its implications for believers? [29:00]
2. According to the sermon, what specific challenges are the people of Myanmar facing, and how has this created an opportunity for the church? [00:30]
3. How does the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 illustrate God's perspective on those who are lost? [01:03:57]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between self-righteousness and the ability to love others? [46:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the transformative power of God's love, as described in 1 John, challenge the way believers view their own fears and confidence before God? [29:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that tragedy can open hearts to the gospel, and how should the church respond to such opportunities? [00:30]
3. How does the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 challenge common perceptions of value and worth in people? [58:21]
4. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of self-righteousness, and how can believers actively resist this mindset? [46:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when a personal tragedy or challenge opened your heart to spiritual truths. How did you respond, and what role did others play in your journey? [00:30]
2. Considering the current situation in Myanmar, what practical steps can you take to support those in need, either through prayer, financial support, or raising awareness? [00:30]
3. How can you cultivate a love that drives out fear in your daily life, especially in situations where you feel anxious or uncertain? [29:00]
4. Identify a person in your life who might be considered "lost" in terms of their spiritual journey. How can you reach out to them with compassion and the love of Christ this week? [01:03:57]
5. Reflect on your own tendencies towards self-righteousness. What specific actions can you take to view others with compassion and resist the urge to judge? [46:55]
6. How can you align your heart with God's heart, seeing people as valuable and worthy of love, regardless of their current state or past actions? [01:08:20]
7. Think of a situation where you might have dismissed someone because they were different from you. How can you change your perspective to see them as valuable and in need of God's love? [01:01:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Compassion in Crisis
In the midst of the chaos and tragedy in Myanmar, where a devastating earthquake has compounded the ongoing civil war, there is a unique opportunity for the church to shine the light of Christ. Many people are now more open to hearing about Jesus, and it is our responsibility to respond with love and support. We can help by providing essential resources like food, water, and shelter through the Love Asia fund. This is a call to action for us to pray for the people of Myanmar and to consider how we can contribute to their needs. [12:46]
Isaiah 58:10-11 (ESV): "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."
Reflection: How can you practically support those in crisis today, whether through prayer, giving, or volunteering?
Day 2: Transformative Love
God's love is transformative. In 1 John, we learn that love is not just an emotion but a powerful force that changes us. It drives out fear and gives us confidence before God. This love is rooted in the sacrifice of Jesus, who became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. [29:00]
1 John 4:18-19 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need God's love to drive out fear and bring transformation?
Day 3: Overcoming Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness is a barrier to love. It is a mindset that prevents us from truly loving others and does not reflect the heart of Jesus. We must actively resist self-righteousness and instead view others with compassion, seeing them as valuable and in need of God's love. [46:55]
Luke 18:9-14 (ESV): "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get." But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.'"
Reflection: Identify a moment when self-righteousness has hindered your ability to love others. How can you approach similar situations with humility and compassion?
Day 4: Seeing the Lost as God Does
God sees people as lost or found, not good or bad. The story of the prodigal son illustrates God's heart towards those who are lost. This perspective challenges us to reach out to others with the love and grace that we have received, aligning our hearts with God's heart. [01:08:20]
Luke 15:4-7 (ESV): "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Reflection: Who in your life might be feeling lost? How can you intentionally reach out to them with God's love this week?
Day 5: Rejoicing in Repentance
There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. Jesus' parables teach us that lost people matter to God, and we are called to join in the celebration by reaching out to them with the love of Christ. Let us be intentional in showing love to those who are far from God. [01:03:57]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed someone turning back to God. How can you be a part of someone else's journey towards repentance and restoration?
Quotes
"Hey, I'm sure that you all heard about this big earthquake on March the 28th, about noon, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Myanmar. Several of our leaders were together doing a leadership training time and had to leave where they were at. They're all safe and everything. But on top of four years of civil war in Myanmar, now this disaster hits them. Our superintendent there says that many are sleeping outside. Internet and phones are down. It's very hot this time of the year in Myanmar. Many people, though, he says, are open to hearing about Jesus." [00:23:36] (44 seconds)
"Pray, he said, that the church would know best how to reach those who are hurting. Well, how do you help people who don't have anything anymore and just even giving them water and giving them Bibles to try to help them out? That somehow people are more open to the gospel now than ever before. Imagine that. It takes a tragedy sometimes to get our attention. Is that true in your life? God has to kind of slap you upside the face and go, oh yeah, I guess I forgot about that." [00:27:04] (31 seconds)
"Paul goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 5, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. I don't know what that does to you when you think about God choosing you and I to be the righteousness of God. And Jesus said, I don't want you to ever forget that. As you live in me and you love me and you love other people, you are the righteousness of God." [00:28:33] (35 seconds)
"Well, we continue on to our study of the book of 1 John. And I hope you've noticed something about John and his emphasis on love. Have you picked that up as you've been reading through? It's kind of like he says the same thing over and over again. I don't know if you recall parents, you recall saying the same thing over and over again and they still don't get it. And so you say it over and over again. John uses the word love 46 times in this little book of 1 John." [00:36:56] (35 seconds)
"And in our section that we're going through today, verses 7 through 21, he uses the word love 27 times. 27 times in 15 verses. That's almost two times per verse. Are we getting it? You understand? That's a lot of love. That's more references to love than in the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. There's 13 verses and Paul uses the word love 17 times. Well, John's using it 27 times. I hope we get it." [00:37:30] (39 seconds)
"Love gives us confidence when we stand before God. Love removes fear. And perfect love drives out fear. In this world, we are like Jesus. And Jesus said, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you go to the right church, wear the right clothes, say the right words, if you love one another. Love looks good on you. Oh, for the comments that people would say, you know, I don't know what all you guys believe over there at QFMC, but..." [00:42:50] (43 seconds)
"Self-righteousness does not look good on you. And yet, many religious people wear it all the time. If you know someone who wears this, you can feel it as they enter the room. And again, let me ask you, please don't look at them right now, okay? Don't, that's not the point of this part of the message. It just doesn't do anything for them. And, you know, people who are self-righteous are not self-aware." [00:44:55] (37 seconds)
"Jesus often teaches with these parables, these made-up stories with a point. And notice who was listening at this particular time in Jesus' teaching, that Jesus attracted people who were far from God. Luke chapter 15, verse 1, says, Now the tax collectors and the sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. Yeah, that's what happens when we have church, right? All the tax collectors and sinners come because they want to hear about Jesus, don't they?" [00:48:24] (34 seconds)
"And then Jesus pulls out of the story, and he says that in verse 7, I tell you, in that same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who do not need to repent. More rejoicing over one. So the lost sheep represents one person, one sinner, and when that one sinner repents and turns to God, he is found. Repent means turning around like doing a 180, reconnecting with God, and Jesus said all heaven rejoices when people reconnect with God when one person comes to know Jesus." [00:59:24] (50 seconds)
"Lord Jesus our prayer this morning is that you would help us to see people like you see people and when we see people who are lost that we could recognize that they're lost they're not idiots they're not stupid they're not worthless they do some pretty knucklehead things they're lost Lord I just pray that you would help us in our perspective as we reach out in this world you love Quincy and the Quincy Valley so much that you put QFMC here to reach people for your kingdom and every person in this room represents you as we go out into this community and Lord I just pray that you would help us change us from the inside out help us to see ourselves from your perspective to see other people from your perspective to see people as lost and found and to not give up on anybody." [01:18:29] (67 seconds)
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