Transforming Relationships Through the Power of Love
Summary
### Summary
Today, I want to talk about the power of love and how it can transform our relationships and our church community. When I first arrived at Fairlawn, I was struck by the warmth and love that this congregation exudes. You all have a unique ability to make people feel welcomed and loved, and I want to thank you for that. But let's not be content with where we are; let's take it to another level. Let's watch what God can do when we continue to show love and welcome to everyone who walks through our doors.
Before coming to Fairlawn, I served at Spirit Life, where I had some memorable experiences. One of the most impactful was when a bus intended to bring children to church ended up bringing teenagers instead. Initially, I found it challenging to love these teenagers. They were disruptive, and I was preoccupied with other responsibilities. But one day, I decided to take them to the youth room and engage with them. I realized that they didn't know how to behave because no one had taken the time to build a relationship with them. So, I sat down, prayed with them, and turned our sessions into discussion-based learning. This experience prepared me for the challenges I would face at Fairlawn.
When I first arrived here, some of the teenagers were rough around the edges and not the crowd favorites. But I saw potential in them. I remember being excited about setting up the youth room, only to have zero teenagers show up that week. It was disheartening, but it reminded me of the importance of persistence and love. We've all been in situations where it's hard to love someone, whether it's a family member, a church member, or even a rowdy youth group. But Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that includes everyone, even those who are difficult to love.
Loving God and loving people are the two greatest commandments. Loving God involves worship, prayer, and getting to know Him through scripture. Worship is about showing respect, honor, and gratitude to God for everything He has done, is doing, and will do. Prayer is like dating; it's about building a relationship through conversation and getting to know each other. When we focus on our relationship with God, it will naturally overflow into our relationships with others.
To love people, we must first identify any barriers we have in our hearts. I had to admit that I had a hard time loving those teenagers. Once I identified the problem, I began to pray for them, show them kindness, and seek reconciliation. This process transformed our relationship. They went from being disruptive to being engaged and curious about God. They started reading the Bible and asking questions, and it was incredible to see their growth.
We need to apply the same principles in our relationships with others. Start by praying for those you find difficult to love. Show them kindness, even when it's hard. Seek reconciliation and ask God to heal any broken relationships. When we do this, we tear down divisions and become magnets for Jesus. People will be drawn to the love of God they see in us, and it will open doors for them to experience His love for themselves.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Welcoming Love: The warmth and love that a church community shows can be a powerful tool for drawing people in. When we make people feel welcomed and loved, we reflect the love of Christ. This is not something to be taken lightly; it's a gift that can transform lives. Let's not be content with where we are but strive to take our love and welcome to another level. [14:52]
2. Building Relationships with the Unlovable: Sometimes, the people we find hardest to love are the ones who need it the most. By taking the time to build relationships, even with those who are disruptive or difficult, we can make a significant impact. This involves patience, prayer, and a willingness to engage with them on a deeper level. [01:30]
3. Loving God with Heart, Soul, and Mind: Loving God involves worship, prayer, and getting to know Him through scripture. Worship is about showing respect and gratitude to God. Prayer is like dating; it's about building a relationship through conversation. When we focus on our relationship with God, it naturally overflows into our relationships with others. [06:23]
4. Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Love: To love others effectively, we must first identify any barriers in our hearts. Admitting that we have a hard time loving someone is the first step. Once we identify the problem, we can begin to pray for them, show them kindness, and seek reconciliation. This process can transform our relationships and tear down divisions. [09:15]
5. Becoming a Magnet for Jesus: When we show love and kindness, even to those who are difficult to love, we become magnets for Jesus. People are drawn to the love of God they see in us. This opens doors for them to experience His love for themselves. Our actions can speak louder than words and can be a powerful testimony of God's love. [13:29]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Challenges at Spirit Life
[02:57] - First Impressions at Fairlawn
[04:45] - The Struggle to Love
[06:23] - The Greatest Commandments
[07:50] - Loving God with Heart, Soul, and Mind
[09:15] - Identifying Barriers to Love
[10:46] - Showing Kindness and Seeking Reconciliation
[12:00] - Transforming Relationships
[13:29] - Becoming a Magnet for Jesus
[14:52] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV): "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two greatest commandments according to Matthew 22:37-39?
2. How did the pastor initially feel about the teenagers who came on the bus at Spirit Life? ([01:30])
3. What actions did the pastor take to build relationships with the teenagers at Spirit Life? ([02:57])
4. What were the steps the pastor took to overcome his difficulty in loving the teenagers? ([09:15])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind as the greatest commandment?
2. How can worship and prayer help in building a relationship with God, according to the pastor's sermon? ([06:23])
3. What does it mean to show kindness and seek reconciliation with those who are difficult to love? ([10:46])
4. How can identifying and overcoming barriers to love transform our relationships with others? ([09:15])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to love someone. What steps did you take, or could you take, to overcome that barrier? ([09:15])
2. How can you incorporate worship and prayer into your daily routine to strengthen your relationship with God? ([06:23])
3. Think of someone in your life who is challenging to love. What specific actions can you take this week to show them kindness and seek reconciliation? ([10:46])
4. In what ways can you help make your church community more welcoming and loving to newcomers? ([14:52])
5. How can you become a "magnet for Jesus" in your daily interactions with others? ([13:29])
6. Identify any barriers in your heart that prevent you from loving others fully. What steps can you take to address these barriers? ([09:15])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to take their love and welcome to another level within the church community? ([14:52])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Welcoming Love
When a church community exudes warmth and love, it becomes a powerful tool for drawing people in. This welcoming atmosphere reflects the love of Christ and can transform lives. It's not just about making people feel good; it's about showing them the love of God in a tangible way. This kind of love can break down barriers and create a sense of belonging that many people are desperately seeking. Let's strive to take our love and welcome to another level, continually seeking to reflect Christ's love to everyone who walks through our doors. [14:52]
Romans 12:10-13 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Reflection: Think of a recent visitor to your church. How can you go out of your way to make them feel welcomed and loved this week?
Day 2: Building Relationships with the Unlovable
Sometimes, the people we find hardest to love are the ones who need it the most. By taking the time to build relationships, even with those who are disruptive or difficult, we can make a significant impact. This involves patience, prayer, and a willingness to engage with them on a deeper level. When we invest in these relationships, we often find that the barriers begin to break down, and we can see the potential in people that others might overlook. This kind of love requires persistence and a heart that seeks to understand and connect. [01:30]
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV): "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."
Reflection: Identify someone in your life who is difficult to love. What is one specific action you can take this week to build a relationship with them?
Day 3: Loving God with Heart, Soul, and Mind
Loving God involves worship, prayer, and getting to know Him through scripture. Worship is about showing respect and gratitude to God for everything He has done, is doing, and will do. Prayer is like dating; it's about building a relationship through conversation and getting to know each other. When we focus on our relationship with God, it naturally overflows into our relationships with others. This love for God becomes the foundation for how we love those around us, guiding our actions and attitudes. [06:23]
Deuteronomy 6:5-6 (ESV): "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God this week through worship, prayer, or scripture reading? What specific steps will you take?
Day 4: Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Love
To love others effectively, we must first identify any barriers in our hearts. Admitting that we have a hard time loving someone is the first step. Once we identify the problem, we can begin to pray for them, show them kindness, and seek reconciliation. This process can transform our relationships and tear down divisions. By addressing these barriers, we allow God's love to flow more freely through us, impacting those around us in profound ways. [09:15]
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: What barriers do you have in your heart that prevent you from loving others fully? How can you begin to address these barriers through prayer and action?
Day 5: Becoming a Magnet for Jesus
When we show love and kindness, even to those who are difficult to love, we become magnets for Jesus. People are drawn to the love of God they see in us. This opens doors for them to experience His love for themselves. Our actions can speak louder than words and can be a powerful testimony of God's love. By living out this love in our daily lives, we can attract others to Christ and create opportunities for them to encounter His transformative love. [13:29]
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 be a magnet for Jesus in your daily life? What specific acts of love and kindness can you show to those around you this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I think we've all been in that situation where we've had a hard time loving somebody, don't you think? It could be a group of people. It could be an individual. It could be a family member. How many of you have ever felt like it was just hard to love someone? You look at them and you want to walk the other way." [04:45]
2. "Loving God with our heart means that we should have deep worship for him. One of my favorite lessons I did with the youth group was a lesson on worship. And I wish I could say it was the first time I did that lesson was with the youth group here, but it was a ripoff of another one that I did about a year before, but it's okay. But in that message, I was talking about how worshiping God is about showing respect and showing honor and giving God thanks for everything that he has done, everything he will do, and everything that he is doing right now in this moment." [06:23]
3. "When we worship, that's what we're doing. We're taking time and we're saying, God, we love you. Thank you for everything. That is the essence of worship right there. Loving God with our soul means getting in and praying. And we can pray while we worship. And prayer just gets us closer to God." [07:50]
4. "When you do it, you become a magnet for Jesus, and you're going to draw people in. And it's not going to be necessarily from you preaching and telling them, hey, hey, for God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son, and whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. It might not look like that. It might just look like, hey, I'm a Christian, and I'm here, and I'm willing to listen to you about anything, and it doesn't even have to be God-related, but I'm here, and I'm willing to walk this thing out." [13:29]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Let me build a relationship with these people, with these teenagers. They don't know. So how can I expect them to sit down if they just don't know to do it? So I sat down with them. I prayed with them. We turned it into more of just a discussion-based learning. And what I didn't know was it would be a lot more difficult, but still preparation for when I got to Fairlawn." [01:30]
2. "I had to identify that I had a problem loving those teenagers, right? As difficult as it was to admit, I had a hard time loving somebody. And at that point, my whole identity was wrapped up with being one of the most loving people that people ever meet. Like, I was that guy that would walk up to a teenager after meeting them for one day and be like, all right, love you. Like, that was just me. But I did not love those teenagers. I really didn't. And it sounds terrible. It sounds funny. But that's the truth. I had zero love for them at first." [09:15]
3. "Next, I had to show them love in my actions. That was harder than praying, because I could say a prayer and not have to look at them. But showing them kindness when they had been disrespectful, when they hadn't been the best teenagers ever, like all teenagers are so wonderful, but these weren't, I had to show them kindness. And I had to sit there and I had to be like, you know what? I don't care that you're disrespectful. I don't care that you draw attention to yourself and draw attention away from what's going on in the church. Let me go ahead and sit there and show you some kindness." [10:46]
4. "And for those few weeks that we had, the Sunday morning youth services, the amount of change that went on with those teenagers was absolutely incredible. It was like something had switched. Instead of being repelled from church and all that, I had to make sure that I was being able to show up for a free meal and to dump hand sanitizer and soap all over the bathroom floors. They were showing up to learn about God. And it was incredible seeing that." [12:00]
5. "When we do this, divisions are going to be torn. They're going to witness the love of God through your actions, because most of the time, people aren't going to witness the love of God from other people. It has to start with you. You have to be the ones to show them the love of God. You have to be the ones to show them, hey, there is a Heavenly Father that loves you, and let me point out every single example of this in your life." [13:29]
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