“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. BE servants of God: Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.” 1 Peter 2:17 (NCV/The Message)
PRINCIPLES OF LOVING LIKE JESUS
DIGNITY: God Created Every Person with Dignity
“God made people just a little lower than the heavenly beings, and he crowned us with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:5 (NIV)
Peter said, “God has shown me that I should NEVER think of anyone as inferior or unclean!” Acts 10:28 (LB)
“Treat everyone you meet with dignity.” 1 Peter 2:17
Action Plan: The book of Haggai tells us that God says to “Give careful thought to your ways.” This week, give careful thought to how your treat and interact with other people. Keep these verses (above) in mind.
DIVERSITY: God Intentionally Created Everyone Unique
“God gives everything the kind of body he wants it to have. People, animals, birds, and fish are each made of flesh, but none of them are alike. Everything in the heavens has a body, and so does everything on earth. But each one is very different from all the others!” 1 Corinthians 15:38-40 (CEV)
“From one man (Adam) God made every nation of men . . . and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Acts 17:26
COMMUNITY: We Need Each Other and We’re Better Together
“In the past, no one knew God’s secret plan, but now the Holy Spirit has revealed it and this is the plan: through the Gospel, everyone – both Jews and non-Jews are now invited to be members together in the Body of Christ, and share together God’s promises . . .” Ephesians 3:4-6
“Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn't ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 2:11 (CEV)
“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results ONLY IF you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” James 3:18 (The Message)
Action Plan: Be a part of the Saddleback community by taking CLASS this weekend (January 14). For information on CLASS at your campus, click here.
LOVE: We Were Put on Earth to Learn How to Love
Jesus said “I give you a new commandment: You must love each other in the same way that I have loved you! Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples!” John 13:34-35
“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters” Hebrews 13:1 (NCV)
Action Plan: Commit these four rules of interaction to memory (write them down if you need):
LISTEN to them when they speak
LOOK at them at all times
LEARN from them by asking questions
LAUGH with them
RECONCILIATION: If We’re Not Helping People Reconcile, We’re Not the Church!
“God has restored our relationship to himself through what Christ did for us, and now he’s given us the work of helping other people restore their relationship to God and everyone else.” 2 Corinthians 5:18
Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God!” Matthew 5:9
Action Plan: Is one of your goals for this year to grow a stronger relationship with God? Register for Deeper Devotions this Saturday, January 13. Taught by Pastor Buddy Owens, this one-day workshop will help you learn how to deepen your friendship with God. To register,click here.
Doable Discipleship: This week’s episode of Doable Discipleship continues a series on spiritual growth habits that you should develop this year. This week we look at the habit of a Daily Quiet Time with God. To watch or listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week’s Talk It Over, click here.
