Rooted in Love The Strength of Unity in Christ
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Opening Prayer
Introduction to Theme: Discuss the unique strength of Redwood trees, emphasizing their lateral roots system which interlocks with others for mutual support and strength.
Relate this to the Christian call to be rooted in love and interconnected with one another in the body of Christ.
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
In the same way that Redwood trees locked together to form the strongest tree root system in the world we are called to do the same. We are strengthened by his spirit and we are rooted and grounded in love. But we cannot make the mistake that God has called us to monk like living. We cannot make the mistake that God has called us to live our faith outside the community. He has called us to comprehend with all the Saints the breadth and length and height and depth of God's love.
The redwoods are legendary as the tallest trees in the world. God's church has reputation for its capacity to endure unimaginable storms and stand as one of the most beautiful life giving structures.
If we want to live with resilience we need to grapple with how we can develop healthy roots and so that's what we're going to talk about here today
Healthy Roots Grow Through Unconditional Love
Healthy Roots Grow Through Unconditional Love
Scripture: John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Explanation: Just as Redwoods support each other through their intertwined roots, we, as followers of Christ, are called to love one another unconditionally. This love is a testament to our discipleship and reflects Christ's love for us.
In the same way that the redwoods support each other through the root systems we're called to love one another unconditionally. That's how God showed his love among us. He sent his son into the world so that we could live through him..
We imitate God by loving unconditionally.
What does that look like?
Loving someone unconditionally means not setting barriers up where they have to earn your love.
It is in our church community accepting each other wherever we are on our faith journey and loving each other.
Now we must remember that as a Christian community accepting and loving each other does not mean blind tolerance of all behavior. As followers of Jesus we are called to be discerning about what is right and what is wrong.
But as we do this we are still called to discern to speak to interact with love
9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Healthy Roots Grow Through Sacrificial Love
Healthy Roots Grow Through Sacrificial Love
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Consider that... Jesus was in the form of God and yet he did not count this as a thing to be grasped. He emptied himself taking the form of a servant and became obedient to the point of death.
How far are you willing to go to demonstrate sacrificial love for people around you? How far are you willing to sacrifice your energy your time and your money to show love to others?
The greatest thing we can do is demonstrate love to those around us. Possibly winning them for salvation or winning a friend for a lifetime
We had friends stay over for the weekend and a whole bunch of people wanted to see them so yesterday we had eight adults and 12 to 20 kids in the house I lost track.
It was stressful preparing for that and sometimes overwhelming. But by largely setting aside our schedule and our home to host we were able to demonstrate love to friends period. We were able to have refreshing conversations and build relationships to last decades. We were able to demonstrate our faith in front of some families who are not close to God.
Which is more important in the long run? Saving a little money and avoiding stress or winning the opportunity to build relationships to point people to God and make a difference that could potentially last a lifetime. Some of the greatest experiences on the other side of small and large sacrifices.
If we want to build roots within our church community that sustain us for a lifetime we should be willing to sacrifice to love one another.
Explanation: Highlight Jesus' ultimate act of love and sacrifice. Emphasize how we are called to love others not just in words, but through sacrificial actions that mirror Christ's humility and selflessness.
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
Healthy Roots Grow Through Forgiving Love
Healthy Roots Grow Through Forgiving Love
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Explanation: Discuss the importance of forgiveness as a cornerstone of Christian love. Share how forgiveness allows for healing and growth, much like healthy roots are essential for a tree's vitality.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Call to Action:
Encourage the congregation to examine their own "roots" - their actions and attitudes towards others. Challenge them to deepen their roots in Christ’s love through unconditional, sacrificial, and forgiving love.
Closing Prayer: Pray for the strength and grace to grow deeper in love and more interconnected with one another, mirroring the unity and strength of the Redwood trees rooted in Jesus.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.