This Is How People Will Know You’re A Disciple of Jesus

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of living out our faith in a way that demonstrates God's love to others. We are not defined by what we do or what we achieve, but rather by how we treat one another and show love to those around us. As Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). This message encourages believers to prioritize building relationships, serving others, and demonstrating the character of Christ in their daily lives.

Key Scripture References

• Matthew 7:21-23 - Jesus teaches that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who follow Him must do so by living out His teachings and demonstrating love to others. This passage highlights the importance of putting faith into action.
• John 13:35 - As mentioned earlier, Jesus emphasizes that our love for one another is what will define us as His disciples. This verse reminds us that love is not just a feeling or an emotion, but rather a choice to put others' needs before our own.
• Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This passage encourages believers to cultivate these qualities in their lives as they seek to demonstrate God's love to others.
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - This famous passage on love reminds us that even the most impressive spiritual gifts or achievements are nothing without love. True greatness is demonstrated by how we treat one another and show compassion to those in need.
• Matthew 25:31-46 - The parable of the sheep and goats highlights the importance of serving others and demonstrating God's love in practical ways. Those who do so will be welcomed into heaven, while those who neglect this responsibility will face judgment.
• John 15:12-13 - Jesus teaches that He has given us a new commandment to love one another as He has loved us. This passage reminds us that our love for others is not just a suggestion or an option, but rather a fundamental aspect of following Christ.
• Ephesians 4:1-3 - We are called to live in humility and gentleness, putting aside selfish ambitions and instead seeking to build up one another. This passage encourages believers to prioritize unity, forgiveness, and love as they interact with others.

Key Takeaways

• Our faith is not just about what we believe, but also about how we live out our beliefs in practical ways. We must demonstrate God's love to others through our actions and relationships.
• The way we treat one another is a reflection of our relationship with Christ. If we are not loving one another, it may indicate that we have not truly surrendered to Him.
• True greatness is demonstrated by serving others and putting their needs before our own. We must prioritize humility and gentleness as we interact with those around us.
• We are called to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This will enable us to demonstrate God's love to others in a more effective way.

This Week's Challenge

Two specific challenges for believers this week are:

• Schedule a time to serve someone else, whether it's through volunteering at a local ministry or simply helping a neighbor with a task. As we serve others, we demonstrate God's love and build relationships that can lead people to Christ.
• Take some time to reflect on your relationships with those around you. Are there any areas where you need to work on forgiveness, humility, or kindness? Make a plan to address these issues and seek to build up the people in your life.

Reflection Questions

• What are some ways that I can demonstrate God's love to others in my daily life? How can I prioritize building relationships and serving those around me?
• How do I respond when someone wrongs me or hurts me? Do I seek revenge, or do I choose to forgive and show love even in difficult circumstances?
• What are some areas of my life where I need to cultivate more patience, kindness, or gentleness? How can I ask God to help me grow in these areas and become a more loving person?