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The Story of Love - Kristie
Sermon Summary
Kristie spoke about how to grow up in love, emphasising that love is a commitment to be present with others and for their good. The sermon highlighted that Jesus exemplified radical love by living among despised and rejected people, loving those others hated, sacrificing comfort and family, and living in generosity. Growing in love involves choosing to love even when it is inconvenient, tiring, or requires sacrifice, such as caring for others when we are in need ourselves or forgiving harsh words
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Growing up is often marked by milestones—like graduating from plastic scissors to the coveted “mum scissors”—but in the life of faith, true maturity is measured by how we grow up in love. Love is not just a feeling or a virtue to strive for; it is the very foundation of our identity in Christ. From the moment we trust Jesus, we are rooted and established in love, not because of our own efforts, but because God, who is love, has chosen and adopted us. This love is not a distant goal we work toward, but the starting point of our journey. We don’t strive to be loved by God; we begin already fully loved, and from that place, we are called to live.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us that God’s gifts—His power and grace—are what enable us to love beyond our natural capacity. We are not left to our own resources; the Holy Spirit strengthens us from within, giving us the ability to love in ways that surpass our upbringing, our experiences, and even our understanding. While all people are made in God’s image and can love, followers of Jesus recognise the true source of love and surrender to it, allowing God’s limitless love to flow through us.
Imitating Christ is the path to growing up in love. Jesus’ love was radical: He touched the untouchable, welcomed the outcast, and sacrificed comfort and reputation for the sake of others. Paul, once a man of rules and control, was transformed by encountering Jesus and learned to love through service, sacrifice, and pointing others to Christ. This is the kind of love that blesses the world—a love that is present, practical, and self-giving.
Growing in love means moving beyond what is comfortable or familiar. It means loving when it’s inconvenient, forgiving when it’s hard, and serving when we feel empty. It’s a costly journey that requires us to die to ourselves, to surrender our preferences, and to imitate Christ even when it stretches us. Yet, we are not alone in this. God equips us with spiritual armor to withstand opposition, and His Spirit empowers us to love in new and radical ways. Every act of presence, service, and sacrifice is a reflection of Jesus, who is the perfect example of love—a commitment to be present with another and for their good.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Love is Our Foundation, Not Our Goal
The Christian life begins with being rooted and established in love, not with striving to earn it. Our identity is secure because God’s love is the starting point, not the finish line. This truth frees us from performance and striving, allowing us to live from a place of acceptance and security. We are called to move forward in life knowing we are already fully loved.
- 2. God’s Power and Grace Enable Us to Love Beyond Ourselves
We are not left to love out of our own limited resources. The Holy Spirit strengthens us with power and grace, enabling us to love in ways that surpass our upbringing or natural inclination. This means we can love even when we haven’t been well-loved ourselves, and we can extend grace where we have not received it. God’s gifts are the fuel for a life of radical love.
- 3. Imitating Christ Means Loving Radically and Sacrificially
To grow up in love is to imitate Jesus, who loved beyond social norms and personal comfort. He touched the untouchable, welcomed the outcast, and gave up his own rights for the sake of others. True maturity in faith is marked by a willingness to serve, to sacrifice, and to love those who are difficult to love, just as Christ did.
- 4. Growing in Love Requires Costly Choices and Surrender
Love is not always convenient or easy; it often requires us to die to ourselves, to surrender our desires, and to choose the good of others over our own comfort. This growth happens in the small, everyday choices—caring for others when we are tired, forgiving when we are hurt, and serving when it’s inconvenient. Each act of costly love is a step toward Christlikeness.
- 5. Radical Love Faces Opposition, But God Equips Us for the Battle
Living a life of Christlike love is not without challenges. There is real opposition—spiritual and worldly—that seeks to undermine radical love. Yet, God provides spiritual armor and strength to protect and sustain us. As we rely on His power and grace, we can persevere in loving others, knowing that we are not alone in the struggle.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: Rooted and Established in Love
Scripture:
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
“ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”.
Devotional:
To grow up in love, we must first recognise that our foundation is not our own striving, but the reality that we are already rooted and established in the love of Christ. This love is not something we earn or work toward; it is the starting point of our journey as followers of Jesus. When we accept Christ, we are planted deeply in His love, which becomes the soil from which all spiritual growth springs. Our identity is secure because God is love, and He has chosen us to be His beloved children. From this place of security, we can move forward, knowing that we are fully loved and accepted.
Reflection:
In what area of your life do you struggle to believe that you are already fully loved by God, and how might starting from this foundation change the way you approach your day today?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me first. Help me live today from that place—secure, grounded, and free. Grow my faith, stretch my understanding, and remind me I’m already held in Your love. Amen.
Day 2: Grace and Power to Love Beyond Ourselves
Scripture:
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:
God does not simply establish us in love and leave us to our own devices; He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit and the gift of grace to enable us to love in ways that go beyond our natural capacity. This means that loving others is not about measuring how much love we have within ourselves, but about relying on the limitless source of love that is God Himself. When we surrender to Jesus, we are empowered to love in ways that surpass our own experience and understanding, fuelled by His Spirit and grace.
Reflection:
Where do you find yourself relying on your own strength to love others, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to love beyond your limits today?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I don’t have enough love on my own—but You do. Fill me with Your Spirit today. Help me love past my limits, not by trying harder, but by trusting deeper. Thank You for grace that carries me. Amen.
Day 3: Imitating Christ in Love
Scripture:
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Devotional:
The call to grow up in love is a call to imitate Christ, who loved us and gave Himself up for us. Imitating Christ means choosing to serve, to sacrifice, and to love even when it is inconvenient or costly. It is a radical way of living that goes beyond the world’s understanding of love, as we follow the example of Jesus who loved the outcast, the rejected, and those who were hard to love. As we imitate Christ, our love becomes a fragrant offering to God and a blessing to the world around us
Reflection:
Who is one person you find difficult to love, and what is one practical way you can imitate Christ’s sacrificial love toward them this week?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, You loved when it was hard. Help me do the same today. Give me grace to serve, even when it costs me. Let my love reflect Yours—real, messy, and full of mercy. Amen.
Day 4: Growing in Love Through Costly Presence
Scripture:
John 15:12-13 (NIV)
“ My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Devotional:
Growing up in love means extending ourselves beyond what is comfortable or familiar, choosing to be present and to care for others even when it is inconvenient or requires sacrifice. True love is not just about grand gestures, but about the daily choices to listen, to serve, to forgive, and to show up for others. It is in these moments—when we are tired, misunderstood, or stretched—that we truly grow in love, following the example of Jesus who gave Himself for others
Reflection:
What is one small, inconvenient act of love you can choose today that stretches you beyond your comfort zone?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You didn’t love from a distance—you showed up. Help me do the same today. Even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or uncomfortable, give me the grace to be present, to listen, to serve, and to love like You. Amen.
Day 5: Standing Firm in Love Amidst Opposition
Scripture:
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Devotional:
Loving like Christ is not always easy; it is a radical act that faces real opposition in the world. We are called to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armour of God, so that we can continue to love even when it is hard or when we face resistance. God equips us with everything we need to stand firm, protecting our hearts and souls as we bring His love to a world in need.
Reflection:
What opposition or discouragement threatens to hold you back from loving others, and how can you intentionally put on the armour of God to stand firm in love today?
Prayer:
God, Loving like You isn’t always easy. When I feel pushed back or worn down, remind me that You’ve already equipped me. Help me stand firm today— not with anger, but with grace, not with fear, but with love. Amen.
Day 6: Rooted in God's Unfailing Love
Scripture:
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God’s love is unshakeable and eternal. No matter what we face—whether struggles, doubts, or hardships—His love remains constant. When we are rooted in His love, we find strength and stability that can’t be moved by circumstances. This love is not based on our performance but on His grace. As we grow in love, let’s remember that nothing can separate us from His love, and that love empowers us to love others fully and fearlessly.
Reflection:
Think about a time when you felt distant from God’s love. How can anchoring yourself in His unchanging love help you face today’s challenges? How might this truth inspire you to love others more deeply?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that Your love never fails. Help me to stay rooted in Your love today and to share that love with others freely. Amen
Day 7: Growing in Love through Gratitude
Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Devotional:
Love isn’t just about big actions or grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s the small, everyday act of giving thanks that deepens our hearts. When we choose to see what we’re grateful for—even in difficult times—we open ourselves to love more fully. Gratitude reminds us of the goodness of God and the ways He cares for us, which in turn helps us love others with a genuine heart.
Today, consider how you can practice gratitude in your daily life. Maybe it’s thanking God for His presence, or expressing appreciation to someone around you. As we cultivate thankfulness, we grow in love—because love flourishes when we recognise the blessings and the people God has placed in our lives.
Reflection:
How can practising gratitude help us grow in love for others and for God?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible love that keeps me grounded and strong. Help me to grow in love like Jesus—sacrificing, serving, and being present for others. Fill me with Your Spirit’s power and grace so I can love beyond my limits, even when it’s hard. Teach me to imitate Christ in my daily life—caring for others, forgiving, and choosing love over convenience. Remind me that love is a commitment to be present for the good of others, just as You are for me. Thank You for loving me first and for giving me the example of Jesus. Help me to love like Him every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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