Welcome to the Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. Today, in our God’s Vision for the church series, we consider how, a loving family that’s devoted to one another is God’s vision for His church.
To watch this devotional, follow the link below:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”’ (John 13:34-35)
In studies on what are termed ‘Blue Zones’ (communities where people regularly live past 100), a key factor to their longevity is social ties - community engagement, and a sense of purpose; these are vital for our health and joy! God’s wisdom can be applied by anyone regardless of faith, how much more should God’s children do so!
When you think about the church, what comes to mind for you? Amongst the many ways that the Bible speaks of God’s church, being a loving family is a crucial theme. Paul, in his great poetic overview of love in 1 Corinthians 13 said,
‘If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.’ (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Do we see that we can be the most charismatic, the most socially active, the most miracle-working community, but if we fail to love one another ‘[we] are nothing’!
Our adoption into God’s family, is to be accompanied by seeking to build a loving family in the church. Paul likens our obligation to love to an unplayable debt:
‘Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”’ (Romans 13:8-9)
Paul is teaching that just as we are to scrupulously pay back our debts, so we are to be faithful to pay our debt of love to one another. Paul is teaching us that no matter how much we’ve invested into a relationship, we are to keep ‘paying’ and loving our church family. The measure of how we are to love one another is Christ who has loved us immeasurably even though we deserve nothing and continually fail Him. Jesus’ words are a challenge to all of us regarding all our relationships, but particularly those in our church family:
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ (Matthew 5:9)
Response
God’s vision for the church is that we build a loving family that’s devoted to one another. How is Jesus’ love for His church being expressed in you? Are we devoted to our church family? Are we allowing unforgiveness to fester? Are we taking the initiative to build deep friendships? As we finish, let’s remind ourselves that our love for His church is to be seen in devoted and sacrificial relationships that are modelled on Christ who, after washing His disciples' feet said:
‘“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”’ (John 13:34)
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
This, for many, may be the first time you’ve met in a while. Therefore, it might be good to catch up on how things have gone - the highs and lows - of the summer. Alternatively, you could discuss: How has God been speaking to you from His Word recently and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Our message on Sunday from our God’s Vision for the Church series was on how the church is God’s family. The church - The community who follow Christ - are adopted children of God and are to reflect this in their love for God, joy in life and love for the family of God.
Please read Ephesians 1:3-6 and discuss:
What would you say is the main message and application of Ephesians 1:3-6?
Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?
What does it mean for us to be adopted by God?
How is this truth to affect our relationships in the church?
How does being God’s adopted child help you in life?
How is this new identity to affect the way that we pray? (See Matthew 6:5-13)
Alex Dias, in His message, made reference to God as our potter and our entering ‘the potters house (Jeremiah 18). How does our being God’s adopted children, along with this potter analogy, mean for how God wants to work in and on us?
SIV - How will enjoying your adoption make you a more compassionate and courageous evangelist?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
Let’s pray together from Romans 8:15-17.
Comments