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.
This week will continue the series Rooted: Spiritual Fruit in a Divided World, focusing on gentleness. The key scripture passage is Titus 3:1-11.
This week will continue the series Rooted: Spiritual Fruit in a Divided World, focusing on goodness and kindness. The key scripture passage is Matthew 25:14-30.
This week we are kicking off our series on the Fruit of the Spirit. The key scripture passage is Ephesians 4:17-32. Kindness is using our lives to build up others with our words, actions and attitudes.