For many years the people of Israel prayed for a savior who would draw them back towards God, and restore their nation. They studied prophecy about this coming savior so that they would be able to know when he comes, and celebrate his arrival. And yet, Jesus comes into the world without notice, leads three years of ministry, mostly without notice from the very people studying so they would not miss him.
We only have a few places we hear about Jesus before he was an adult. Even from a young age we see that Jesus was fully human, and deeply loved God the Father. Like all of us Jesus had to grow and mature into who God created Him to be.
John starts his gospel by telling us that the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Of all the ways Jesus could have entered into this world, it matters that Jesus became a human. His arrival tells us about his mission and purpose.
As John closes out his first letter, he wants to drive home just a few things. First, loving connection to Jesus Christ is the foundation that everything else rests on. Second, overflowing from that relationship, we are called to be a blessing to the world in a way that overcomes the challenges, struggles and burdens that life sends our way.
1 Corinthians 13 is often quoted at weddings and begins by simply saying love is….The second part of 1 John 4 has as much or more to say about what God means when we hear God is love, and that we are to love one another.
Chapter 4 of 1 John begins by looking at how to discern different perspectives and opinions. How do you discern various people and teachings based on scripture and based on who God is.
As we continue to look at what life together as Christians looks like, we lean into the posture of our hearts. What we say, how we say it, and what is behind our actions can be just as important as what we say and do. Jesus describes it by saying the words of our mouth is the overflow of our hearts. What is overflowing from your heart?
Jesus says that all who believe in Him are a new creation. 1 John 3 wades into what new that Jesus is talking about in our lives. 1 John invites us into a life long process of growing in our faith and in the likeness of our lives to Christ.
Somedays life is just hard. The believers hearing 1 John were given a reminder that their faith in Jesus is meant to be a foundation that they can lean on, trust in, and stand on no matter what life sends their way. That learning about Jesus and growing in their faith is wonderful and central, but not to fall into a trap of thinking that their faith rests in their head, but instead rests in the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives.
A central theme of 1 John is that faith and belief in Jesus must translate into actions, words, and more. It asks this question, “What is the life that Jesus would live if Jesus was living my life?”
1 John begins with the core focus that the more we know Jesus, the more we will reflect his grace and forgiveness to others. Our faith in Jesus will naturally draw us to become aware of our own flaws and his holiness and perfection. Considering God’s perfection, and our lack thereof, we move to a place of humility, grace, and love for others. The people of God should be known by humility, love, and grace.
Second Corinthians leans into what can be the stickiest of things for us to give, money. What if the theology behind giving of our finances is less about money, and more about our heart? That anything we give is a concrete expression of a heart seeking to be generous, in light of the giver who gave it all to us.
In Romans 10, the apostle Paul makes an impassioned case that the gospel is good news for all people, but they need to experience it. Paul makes the case that as Christ followers it is our responsibility for the good news that we have been given, that gives us hope that grounds our lives, must be shared, embodied and expressed to people not just within our Christian community.
One of the core ways and places that we are called to express our love to others is through hospitality, which means the love of the stranger. We are to open our homes and lives to others, such that they experience the love of Christ through us and where we live.
This week will continue the series Rooted: Spiritual Fruit in a Divided World, focusing on peace and patience. The key scripture passage is Romans 5:1-11.
This week will continue the series Rooted: Spiritual Fruit in a Divided World, focusing on joy. The key scripture passage is Philippians 4:4-9.
This week will continue the series Rooted: Spiritual Fruit in a Divided World, focusing on love. The key scripture passage is 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.
This week will continue the series Rooted: Spiritual Fruit in a Divided World, focusing on self control. The key scripture passage is 2 Timothy 1:6-14.