WALKING INTO THE NEW YEAR

WITH THE RIGHT DEED – LOVE

INTRODUCTION

As we enter a new year, take a moment to think about your life and your walk with God. What are you carrying into the new year, and what do you need to leave behind? Is it Love?

Definition

Deeds – Actions you choose to do on purpose.

Faith is meant to be lived intentionally.

What is one word that describes how you want to live in 2026?

1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit…and you are not your own?

What does this teach me:

· That God lives in me

· My choices matter

· And I belong to God

Because God lives in me, I should live like: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”

Jesus:

· Died for our sins

· Was buried

· And rose again

· Everything Jesus did was intentional

Why does what Jesus did affect how I live today? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Deeds that honor God

God desires that I:

· Walk in love (Gal. 5:6)

· Walk in obedience (John 14:15)

· Walk in boldness (2 Tim. 1:7)

· Be led by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:14)

The area I need to grow in most:

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My New Year Commitment

One deed I need to STOP:

One deed I need to START:

One deed I need to STRENGTHEN:

Final Truth

I don’t need a new year to live new.

I need a renewed mind and Spirit-led deeds.

The Nature of Darkness

The Bible identifies darkness in four different ways:

· Darkness is a person. Satan is the ruler of the kingdom of darkness (Eph. 2:2; 6:12), so when the Bible speaks of darkness, it often refers to Satan, his minions, and his kingdom.

· Darkness is a power. Spiritual darkness has a power over non-Christians. It controls their thoughts, words, and actions, and they cannot break that control without Christ (Acts 26:18).

· Darkness is a preference. Ungodly people prefer darkness so they can do whatever they want without being exposed (John 3:19-21).

· Darkness is a place. Those who live in darkness – who practice the unfruitful works of darkness – are headed “into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (8:12).

Fortunately, darkness is a thing of the past for followers of Christ. Our present is in the light, and our future will be as well (5:14; 1 Pet. 2:9). Once believer have been set in this new direction, they should reflect it in their relationships with others, with God, and with themselves – pursuing the good of others (1 Thess. 5:5); seeking a relationship with God that is characterized by honesty, openness, and good deeds (1 Tim. 6:11); and desiring to show integrity in their words and deeds.

Greeting

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Please re-read this verse inserting yourself in the text.

For example: “fill in your name be an imitator of God, as beloved child; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for you (fill in your name) as an offering and a sacrifice.”

What are your thoughts or any comments about the above

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Love is not just what we believe; it is how we live. Love is the defining mark of the children of God (Eph. 5:1-2), and it is experienced through our actions, words, sacrifice and correction, just as God loves us.

· “By this everyone will know that you are my disciple(s), if you love one another.”

John 13:35

· “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” 1 John 4:7

· “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” 1 John 4:8

Love is not an accessory to faith; it is the foundation. Without love, our faith is incomplete and our witness is unclear.

Reflection: In what ways do you or can you imitate Christ’s love?

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We are called to Love – the love of God knows no boundaries; racial, cultural, relational, or emotional.

· “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

· “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

· “There is neither Jew nor Greek…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Christian love is inclusive. It extends beyond comfort zones and reflects the heart of God.

Reflection: Who has God placed in your life that requires intentional love beyond your comfort zone?

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Faith Expressed through Love – Faith is proven, not proclaimed. Or as some may say “faith is an action word.”

· “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17

· “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” – Galatians 5:6

True faith is visible. It shows up in how we serve, speak, forgive, and correct.

Reflection: How does your faith show up in the way you love others?

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Love builds Unity – Love is the glue of fellowship and the protector of unity.

Scripture

· “Be completely humble and gentle…bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

· “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

Fellowship thrives when love is practiced consistently, especially during disagreement and growth.

Reflection – What role does love play in maintaining unity within your relationships aor church community?

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How Love is expressed? God models love for us in three powerful ways; and we are called to imitate Him. Ephesians 5:1-2 (KJV)

1 Love Through Actions: God didn’t just say He loved us; He acted.

· “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

· “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

Reflection – What actions can you take this week that visibly demonstrate love?

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2. Love Through Words: God speaks love, affirmation, promise, and truth over His people.

· “The Lord your God is with you…He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

· “Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Reflection – How can your words reflect God’s love more intentionally?

3. Love Through Correction: Correction is not rejection; it is love that refuses to abandon growth.

· “The Lord disciplines the one he loves.” Hebrews 12:6

· “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Revelation 3:9

· “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Proverbs 27:6

God’s correction is restorative, not condemning. When we correct in love, we reflect His heart.

Reflection – How do you respond to correction, and how do you offer correction to others?

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Final Though: Love is the language, the evidence, and the experience of our faith.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13

Reflection – If love is the defining mark of a child of God, what needs to grow or change in your life today?

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