Sisters 2021: Love Like Jesus

Love Like Jesus

Scripture References

Primary text

• Philippians 2

Other references

• Proverbs 3:5-6
• John 15:5
• 1 Corinthians 13

Overview

After eighteen months of pandemic, politics, and “people problems,” our deepest need is still the same: to love God wholeheartedly and to love people like Jesus. Using Philippians 2 as her anchor, Amy shows that Christ-like love grows out of two intertwined practices—looking to God in total dependence and laying ourselves down in humble service. A candid conversation with her mentor, Cheryl Lange, illustrates how self-awareness, Spirit-led restraint, and being fully present turn ordinary moments into opportunities to love.

Context

Amy opens by naming the cultural fatigue and division of the past year and a half. She describes how endless news, podcasts, and opinions began to harden her heart until the Holy Spirit realigned her through daily Scripture—especially Philippians 2.

Main Points

Look to God in everything

• Jesus modeled complete reliance: “I don’t do anything without first hearing from My Father.”
• Philippians 2:1 lists what we already have in Christ—encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness; love flows out of receiving these gifts.
• Dependence requires ongoing communion: seeking, delighting, clinging, and acknowledging our inability (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 15:5).
• Practical picture: Amy began asking God before she speaks or acts, “What shows Your love here?”

Lay yourself down in humility

• Philippians 2:3-8 calls us to value others above ourselves, following the self-emptying of Jesus.
• Rights language dominates culture, yet Jesus “emptied Himself,” choosing servant-hood over status.
• Love often means surrendering agendas, opinions, and even “good advice.”
  • Illustration: With daughter Joy’s spring-formal plans, Amy realized she offered “better ideas” instead of sharing Joy’s excitement.
  • Illustration: On a walk, Amy bit back Scripture-laden solutions so she could listen deeply to Craig’s burdens.
• Motive check: a good action can still be unloving if driven by pride or the need to be right (1 Corinthians 13).

Cultivate present, self-aware love (Conversation with Cheryl)

• Cheryl defines real faith as “cling to, rely on, trust in” Jesus—an intimacy born from loss (widowhood) and daily Scripture journaling.
• Self-awareness is not self-focus; it is recognizing motives so we can be fully present with God and others.
  • Story: Dog trainer put hot-dog pieces in his mouth; pups learned to keep eyes fixed on him. Cheryl uses this as a picture of forming a reflex to “look” to God.
  • Pride still “bleeds” when we’re cut; the Spirit exposes hidden motives behind both confrontation and avoidance.
  • Story: When a teenage daughter stormed off after disrespect, Cheryl sensed God whisper, > “Pray it, don’t say it,” and obeyed, letting prayer replace immediate correction.
• Slowing down, listening first, and asking “Why am I engaging?” create space for empathetic, Spirit-led action.

Key Truths

• Christ-like love begins with receiving Christ’s love.
• Dependence on God and self-denial are inseparable; one always leads to the other.
• Pride hides inside even our “helpful” words; humility listens before it speaks.
• Being fully present with God empowers us to be fully present with people.
• Small relational choices—silence, empathy, sincere interest—carry kingdom weight.

Response

• Seek daily, unhurried time in Scripture and prayer to deepen intimacy with God.
• Before reacting, pause and ask the Spirit to reveal hidden motives.
• Choose one relationship this week and practice listening without offering solutions.
• Lay down a specific “right,” opinion, or agenda that is hindering love.
• When conflict arises, consider whether God is saying, “Pray it, don’t say it.”

Closing

Amy ends by inviting listeners into an ongoing journey: keep your eyes on Jesus, keep laying yourself down, and let the Spirit peel off layer after layer that blocks love. The service concludes with a prayer of surrender and an opportunity for those far from God to receive Christ.

Prayer

The congregation prayed for deeper intimacy with God, guidance to love more empathetically, and courage to lay down pride, anger, and self-righteousness. New believers confessed sin, received Jesus as Savior, and asked the Holy Spirit to fill their lives.