Lovewell: A Theology - Day 1
Day 1
Matthew 19:14
14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Mark 9:41
41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
You belong to God.
If you want to talk about a community of belonging, we should start by talking about the community of belonging that comes from the Trinity. We encounter this idea early on in scripture; Genesis 1:26 And God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” This conversation, not monologue, hints to us that God is constantly in community and communication with himself. He is not bifurcated in purpose or mission, but God does show up as three distinct and individual persons.
However, scripture is also very clear that God is one! Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Mark 12:29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
There should be no mistaking that God presents as one purpose, although in community. This tells us a few things: 1. God is a God of community, relationships, and values both. 2. God is not divided in his love, hopes and desires for those that are created.
So this means that when you belong to God, you belong to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is without reservation that God loves you, has sacrificed for you, and is deeply committed to your understanding of what love really is through the works and sacrifice and even the words that were said on God’s behalf and by God. (Scriptures and the words of Jesus)
Whether a child as seen in Matthew 19:14, or whether the underserved, you belong to God–to the whole community of God. And this belonging is forever, is ubiquitous, and is accessible to you. You are not someone who has been forgotten, left behind, or leftover. You are someone that God sees as worthy of relationship, worthy of saving, and worthy of continuing a relationship with.
This community that you have been invited into has existed forever, and has never experienced mission drift. That means that God is as for us as was true at the very beginning of creation. There is no difference between today and back then. Regardless of what you believe about the origin story of the earth, to acknowledge that God loves you and is part of the community to which you have been invited means to affirm that God, in the infinite love and wisdom that is held within, has been in love and loving you from the very beginning.
Let me reiterate again.
You belong to God.
14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Mark 9:41
41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
You belong to God.
If you want to talk about a community of belonging, we should start by talking about the community of belonging that comes from the Trinity. We encounter this idea early on in scripture; Genesis 1:26 And God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” This conversation, not monologue, hints to us that God is constantly in community and communication with himself. He is not bifurcated in purpose or mission, but God does show up as three distinct and individual persons.
However, scripture is also very clear that God is one! Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Mark 12:29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
There should be no mistaking that God presents as one purpose, although in community. This tells us a few things: 1. God is a God of community, relationships, and values both. 2. God is not divided in his love, hopes and desires for those that are created.
So this means that when you belong to God, you belong to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is without reservation that God loves you, has sacrificed for you, and is deeply committed to your understanding of what love really is through the works and sacrifice and even the words that were said on God’s behalf and by God. (Scriptures and the words of Jesus)
Whether a child as seen in Matthew 19:14, or whether the underserved, you belong to God–to the whole community of God. And this belonging is forever, is ubiquitous, and is accessible to you. You are not someone who has been forgotten, left behind, or leftover. You are someone that God sees as worthy of relationship, worthy of saving, and worthy of continuing a relationship with.
This community that you have been invited into has existed forever, and has never experienced mission drift. That means that God is as for us as was true at the very beginning of creation. There is no difference between today and back then. Regardless of what you believe about the origin story of the earth, to acknowledge that God loves you and is part of the community to which you have been invited means to affirm that God, in the infinite love and wisdom that is held within, has been in love and loving you from the very beginning.
Let me reiterate again.
You belong to God.
- What does it mean to belong to God?
- How can you be sure?
- What does it feel like to belong to something greater than yourself?
- How can you continue to belong to God throughout your life?
- What sort of relationship with God are you searching for?
- Do you feel like you belong to God?
8 Comments
I like the content
I like the inclusiveness
I would like to share this content with others
Suggestions:
The font size is quite challenging for me, i can read it but eye strain makes it uncomfortable; please make font size setting variable/adjustable.
Please make it easy to share
Hi Charles. So glad you are enjoying it. We appreciate the suggestions and will see what we can do. The post is easily shareable. At the top, you will see several icons with different options for sharing. We hope this helps.
Where can I sign up to receive the daily study guide in my email?
Thank you so much!
Hi Darlene, We are currently not delivering the daily study via email, but if you would like to receive push notifications through the app, you can do that via the settings under your account. You can also download the PDF if you prefer to read it daily that way.
Thank you so much!
I love this message of inclusivity. I read it to my 17 year old to remind her that her God always has and always will love her. He will never forget her or leave her behind. Thank you pastor Tim!
Thanks so much for the feedback Desiree! I love that our first end statement is that we will be a community of belonging, now comes the hard work of working toward that belonging each and everyday!
I like that belonging to God allows for decisions of trusting God.