The Adventure of Reaching People
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This past Sunday night Pastor Ryan spoke about the Adventure of Mission
Two week ago 16 students and 4 leaders discovered that the Bible was more than just a history book, or stories to read your kids at night. The Bible became reality because we put action to what we have heard and read. Over 50 residents with homes falling apart saw 400 teens and adults prove that God’s Word doesn’t just say He loves them, but that he will show them through His people’s action’s!
16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister[a] in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
We say we love Jesus and that we are disciples, yet is that how we live? If we put up a documentary of our lives on this screen, what would we watch? What would our actions show us? What would our attitudes reveal? Who would our words and actions represent?
I have news for all of you. Watching someone walk into a church building every Sunday in their documentary may not be enough to say they are Christian after seeing the other 6 days of their week.
The word Christian has been abused, watered down and torn apart, well so has love.
THE TRUTH is, we show God and everyone else who and what we really love through our words, but also through our actions! We know who are true friends are because they aren’t just talk but they also follow through with actions. Not only have I told my friend Matt I love and care about him, but I have been proving it by staying faithful to him, respecting him, not gossiping or lying about him through the good and bad years!
We show God our true loyalty and love by the decisions we make. These decisions are private and public. Decisions we make when no one is around and decisions when your faith has gone “live” for others to see.
How do people know you really, honestly, truthfully, love and care about them?
-More importantly-
How does Jesus know you really, honestly, truthfully love and care about him?
THE ANSWER is by your actions and the way you live.
John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
John 21:16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
John 21:17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
1 John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Take 30 seconds in silence to think about what your words and actions have been this past week. How have you treated others, how much time you have spent reading your Bible, praying and connecting with God.
Now, are you walking as Jesus did? Are you striving to be like Christ? Have your actions been like the ones God asks us to live by in his Bible!?
Have you felt true love in your life? Has God and others seen and felt genuine love from you?
Tonight, your tables have a challenge. You will be answering together HOW I’m going to love people in truth and actions, not with just words.
Discussion Questions
1) What kind of love is John referring to in 1 John 3:18? Who is the Holy Spirit directing us to love?
2) When was the last time you showed God’s love to another believer? What did you do?
3) When was the last time you showed God’s love to a complete stranger, what did you do?
4) What keeps Christians from engaging the mission to love people like Jesus did?
a. What keeps YOU from engaging the mission to love people like Jesus did? (Be real and honest. NO ONE IS PERFECT!)
5) 1 John 2:6 says, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” Okay, so whoever claims to be a Christian must walk as Jesus did. What would Jesus be doing with his life if physically walked and lived among us today?
6) Loving others is loving God, so HOW could you begin to love with action in your everyday life? (get creative like writing cards, washing cars, babysitting for a married couple, etc.) HOW are you going to love others in truth and action, not just with words?
Bonus - At the end of the night we watched this video:
Recommended Reading:
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