Understanding Love: A Journey of Sacrifice and Unity

 

Summary

In our new series, "What Love Does," we explore the profound and often misunderstood concept of love. Love is universally cherished, yet its true essence and application can be elusive. As we delve into the latter part of 1 Corinthians, we aim to uncover what love truly is and how it manifests in our lives. Love is not merely a feeling or a romantic notion; it is an active, living force that builds up rather than tears down. It is a way of life that reflects the nature of God, for God is love.

Many of us struggle with understanding love because we may not fully know God, or we may not care to understand love beyond a superficial level. However, Jesus exemplifies love through His life and sacrifice, showing us that true love involves laying down our rights and serving others selflessly. Romans 15 reminds us that those who are strong in faith have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, building them up rather than pleasing themselves.

Spiritual gifts play a crucial role in this process. They are given by God for the common good, meant to unify and build up the body of Christ. Yet, they often become sources of division when we focus on our differences rather than our shared purpose. Unity is the goal of love, and it is achieved when we align ourselves with Jesus, the source of all love and spiritual gifts. By starting with Jesus, we can impart His love to others, becoming a part of God's love here on earth.

As we journey through this series, we are encouraged to discover our spiritual gifts and use them to build up others. Love requires sacrifice and surrender, following the example of Jesus, who laid down His life for us. In doing so, we glorify God and foster unity within the church and beyond. Let us strive to be genuine in our love, allowing God's love to flow through us and into the lives of those around us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Love as a Building Force: Love is not just a feeling but an active force that builds up rather than tears down. It is a way of life that reflects God's nature, as God is love. Understanding love requires knowing God and embracing His love for us, which empowers us to love others genuinely. [37:58]

2. The Role of Spiritual Gifts: Spiritual gifts are given by God for the common good, meant to unify and build up the body of Christ. They are not for personal gain but to serve others and reveal God's love. Discovering and using our spiritual gifts is essential for living out love in action. [45:47]

3. Unity as the Goal of Love: Unity is the ultimate goal of love, achieved by aligning ourselves with Jesus and focusing on our shared purpose. Differences should not divide us but rather open opportunities to love each other better. Unity strengthens the church and reflects God's love to the world. [52:12]

4. Sacrifice and Surrender in Love: True love requires sacrifice and surrender, following Jesus' example of laying down His rights for others. By surrendering our preferences and serving others selflessly, we glorify God and build up the body of Christ. [01:09:13]

5. Genuine Love and Spiritual Growth: Genuine love is not forced or fake but flows from a deep connection with God. By tending to our hearts and receiving God's love, we can genuinely love others and build them up. Spiritual growth involves being part of God's love and imparting it to others. [01:02:45]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [34:59] - Introduction to "What Love Does"
- [37:58] - Love as a Building Force
- [39:11] - Understanding God's Love
- [41:00] - Sacrifice and Surrender
- [43:31] - Embracing Spiritual Gifts
- [45:47] - The Role of Spiritual Gifts
- [48:42] - Unity as the Goal of Love
- [49:53] - Overcoming Division
- [51:34] - Aligning with Jesus
- [52:12] - Unity and Shared Purpose
- [53:05] - Spiritual Gifts and Unity
- [54:35] - Demonstrating Jesus' Love
- [56:51] - Genuine Love and Spiritual Growth
- [01:09:13] - Sacrifice and Surrender in Love
- [01:13:10] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "What Love Does"

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
2. Romans 15:1-2
3. 1 John 4:7-11

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 Corinthians 13, what are some characteristics of love that Paul describes? How do these characteristics challenge common perceptions of love?

2. In Romans 15:1-2, what does Paul say about the responsibilities of those who are strong in faith towards those who are weak? How does this relate to the concept of love as a building force? [41:00]

3. How does 1 John 4:7-11 define the relationship between knowing God and loving others? What does this passage suggest about the source of true love?

4. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the difference between building up and tearing down in relationships? [37:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the role of spiritual gifts in building up the body of Christ? Why is it important to understand and use these gifts according to the sermon? [45:47]

2. The sermon mentions that unity is the goal of love. How does aligning with Jesus help achieve this unity, according to the sermon? [52:12]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of genuine love and its connection to spiritual growth? How does this relate to the idea of love being an active force? [01:02:45]

4. How does the sermon interpret the concept of sacrifice and surrender in love, particularly in the context of Jesus' example? [01:09:13]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt torn down rather than built up in a relationship. How can you apply the principles of love discussed in the sermon to change the dynamics of that relationship? [37:58]

2. Identify your spiritual gifts. How can you use them to serve others and build up the church community this week? Consider taking a spiritual gifts assessment if you haven't already. [45:47]

3. Think of a situation where you disagreed with someone in your church or community. How can you focus on unity and shared purpose rather than differences, as suggested in the sermon? [52:12]

4. Jesus exemplified love through sacrifice and surrender. What is one area in your life where you can lay down your rights or preferences to serve others selflessly this week? [01:09:13]

5. Genuine love flows from a deep connection with God. What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen your relationship with God and allow His love to flow through you? [01:02:45]

6. How can you be a part of God's love here on earth, as discussed in the sermon? Identify one specific action you can take this week to demonstrate God's love to someone in your life. [01:02:45]

7. Consider a person in your life who is difficult to love. What steps can you take to see them through God's eyes and love them genuinely, as encouraged by the sermon? [56:51]

Devotional

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Day 1: Love as an Active Force
Love is not merely an emotion or a fleeting feeling; it is a dynamic and transformative force that actively seeks to build up rather than tear down. This kind of love reflects the very nature of God, who is love. To truly understand and embody this love, one must first know God and embrace His love for us. This divine love empowers us to genuinely love others, moving beyond superficial expressions to actions that uplift and encourage. Love, in its truest form, is a commitment to the well-being of others, mirroring the selfless love God has shown us. [37:58]

"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." (1 John 4:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who needs encouragement today. How can you actively show them love in a way that builds them up?


Day 2: Spiritual Gifts for the Common Good
Spiritual gifts are divine endowments given by God to each believer for the common good. They are not meant for personal gain or to elevate oneself above others but to serve and edify the body of Christ. When we discover and use our spiritual gifts, we participate in God's work of love, revealing His character to the world. These gifts are tools for unity, meant to bring believers together in a shared purpose of glorifying God and serving others. By focusing on our shared mission rather than our differences, we can use our gifts to foster love and unity within the church. [45:47]

"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:7, 12, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual gift do you believe God has given you? How can you use this gift today to serve someone in your community or church?


Day 3: Unity Through Love
Unity is the ultimate goal of love, achieved by aligning ourselves with Jesus and focusing on our shared purpose. Differences among believers should not be sources of division but opportunities to love each other more deeply. When we align with Jesus, the source of all love and spiritual gifts, we can overcome divisions and work towards a common goal. Unity strengthens the church and serves as a powerful testimony of God's love to the world. By prioritizing unity, we reflect the heart of God and demonstrate the transformative power of love. [52:12]

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life where there is division or misunderstanding. How can you take a step towards unity and reconciliation today?


Day 4: Sacrifice and Surrender in Love
True love requires sacrifice and surrender, following the example of Jesus, who laid down His rights for others. This kind of love calls us to set aside our preferences and serve others selflessly, glorifying God in the process. Sacrificial love is not about losing oneself but about finding fulfillment in serving others and reflecting Christ's love. By surrendering our desires and rights, we participate in the divine love that transforms lives and builds up the body of Christ. [01:09:13]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice sacrificial love today? How can you put someone else's needs before your own?


Day 5: Genuine Love and Spiritual Growth
Genuine love is not forced or artificial but flows from a deep connection with God. By nurturing our relationship with God and receiving His love, we can genuinely love others and contribute to their growth. Spiritual growth involves being a conduit of God's love, allowing it to flow through us and into the lives of those around us. This authentic love builds up others and fosters a community where God's presence is evident. As we grow spiritually, we become more attuned to God's love and more capable of sharing it with others. [01:02:45]

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." (Philippians 1:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with God. How can you deepen this connection today to allow His love to flow more freely through you to others?

Quotes



"But love is everywhere. Love is everywhere. And what I notice is that in these relationships, you're either building up or you're tearing down. I brought this, it's much larger when it's not below you. It's not foamy like this, so maybe you can't even see it. But I brought this Jenga today, all right?" [00:35:26] (19 seconds)



"Jesus says that God is love. That's what 1 John 4, verse 7 to 11 says. When Jesus says, beloved, let us love one another. Some of you have heard this, like, oh yeah, we're supposed to love people. That's religion. That's what I'm supposed to do. He says that for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." [00:39:11] (21 seconds)



"To be his loving sacrifice for every single one of us, for every single one of you. We do not just love people. Religion is about being a better person and trying harder and loving people. The gospel is about knowing love, knowing the love of God in Jesus and receiving that love first. That is our starting point." [00:40:00] (25 seconds)



"Unity is actually the goal. Unity is the goal of love. To build up towards unity. This thing is strong when it's together. When it's divided, it is weak. It is fragile. It will fall. Unity is the point of our love to build up in strength. Spiritual gifts are given to the church to bring unity." [00:53:05] (27 seconds)



"Let our love be genuine. Genuine. It's not forced. It's not, it's not strived for. It's not produced. It's not false or fake. You go, God, I just want to receive love from you so that I can give that love away in whatever way it looks like. I want, I want you to build me up and heal my heart." [00:58:43] (21 seconds)



"Love is the goal. Unity is the framework. A common goal brings people together. And we have a goal that's so much greater than a Super Bowl, Detroit. We do. We have a common goal. We just talked about some things on Vision Sunday last week. If you missed it, go back and listen." [01:05:01] (19 seconds)



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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?