Daily Worship (June 15) Copy

1 John 3:18 (NIV)
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

Devotional Thought
This passage from 1 John urges us to show love through our actions and truth, underscoring a key theme from the sermon: love is both a noun and a verb. In other words, love is not just something we say; it's something we actively do. The sermon mentioned that honoring your father and mother goes beyond just showing respect; it involves living out the teachings they've imparted to us and allowing those lessons to transform our lives. Similarly, love in action means going beyond superficial gestures. It's about making sure our actions reflect our inner love and belief in Christ. Just as God loved us so much that He sent His Son to restore our broken relationship, we're called to show that kind of unconditional and practical love to others. So, in everyday life, let's ask ourselves: How am I actively loving those around me? It's by these actions, grounded in truth, that we demonstrate our genuine care and reflect the love of God.

COMMA Questions

• Context: What is the broader message of 1 John, and how does this verse fit into that context?
• Observation: What does it mean to love “with actions and in truth” according to this passage?
• Meaning: How does this passage change our understanding of love compared to society’s definition?
• Main Idea: How can the act of loving with deeds and truth redefine our relationships with others?
• Application: In what practical ways can you demonstrate love through actions today?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us true love through the actions of Jesus. Teach us to love others not just with words, but with genuine actions that reflect Your truth. Help us to be active demonstrations of Your love, bringing peace and joy into our relationships. Amen.

Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Devotional Thought
In Colossians, Paul encourages us to "clothe" ourselves with Christ-like virtues. The sermon highlighted the metaphor of clothing when discussing the characteristics we should "put on" and "take off" as believers. Just as clothes are a visible part of our identity, these qualities signal to the world that we are followers of Christ. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience aren't just random virtues; they're essential components of the new self we step into when we choose to live for Christ. They help strengthen our relationships and reflect the transformative power of God's love in us. The call to clothe ourselves with these virtues is not just a suggestion—it's a daily practice. Just as we wouldn't leave the house without our physical clothes, we shouldn't face the world without these spiritual garments. They enable us to display love actively and respond to the world with grace.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does the preceding text in Colossians 3:1-11 set the stage for this instruction to "clothe yourselves"?
• Observation: What is significant about the virtues listed in this passage?
• Meaning: Why is comparing virtues to clothing an effective metaphor for Christian living?
• Main Idea: What does it mean to be "God's chosen people," and how is this related to our conduct?
• Application: How can you consciously "put on" these virtues in your interactions this week?

Prayer
Dear God, help us each day to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. May our lives be a reflection of Your love and transform the hearts of those around us. Empower us to live as Your chosen people, loved and holy. Amen.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

Devotional Thought
The passage from Ephesians reminds us that our salvation and transformation are gifts of grace from God. This ties back to the sermon’s reminder of God’s unyielding grace, even when we fall short in relationships. No matter how perfect or imperfect our earthly fathers might be, God's grace covers all our failings. This grace is not earned by deeds or behaviors; it's an unconditional gift that changes us from the inside out. The sermon illustrated that love involves grace, both to receive it and to extend it. Understanding this grace helps us not only forgive ourselves and others but also motivates us to live lives that honor Him. By acknowledging that our transformation is from God and not solely our efforts, we can freely love others without expecting anything in return. This grace calls us to extend the same forgiveness and love to others as we have received from God.

COMMA Questions

• Context: In what way does Paul’s message in Ephesians about grace underpin Christian faith?
• Observation: What does it mean that salvation is a gift and not a result of works?
• Meaning: Why is it vital that we cannot boast about our salvation being earned?
• Main Idea: How does understanding grace affect our view of ourselves and others?
• Application: How can you reflect God’s grace in your behavior towards others today?

Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your saving grace that is freely given to us. Help us to live as recipients of this grace, extending it to those around us, and let it transform us into reflections of Your love. May we never forget that our salvation is Your gift to us. Amen.