Rewatch the full service below!
Summary of Anastasia Durgin’s Presentation
Anastasia Durgin presented a painting titled Lifting, a visual reflection on the contrast between Earth and Heaven. The central figure in her artwork represents herself but symbolizes humanity as a whole. The painting portrays the Earth as falling apart, symbolizing the chaos we often focus on. However, it also encourages viewers to look beyond our limited perspective. Durgin explains that Heaven, which is represented in the upper portion of the painting, is much larger and more significant than what we see on Earth. The painting invites us to consider the “bigger picture” and how much more there is to life when viewed through a heavenly lens.
Summary of “Be Love Like Your Father” by Caleb Milbourn
In his message titled “Be Love Like Your Father,” Caleb Milbourn challenges us to live out God’s commandments, especially the call to love our neighbors as ourselves. He explains that it’s not enough to follow the Ten Commandments on the surface—we must believe them in our hearts and let them shape our lives.
Caleb emphasizes that loving others, even those who persecute us or seem unworthy, reflects God’s love for all people. Drawing from scriptures like 1 John and Matthew, he explains that living in love brings us closer to God and perfects our love. Caleb also reminds us that we are God’s children, and as such, we must act in love like our heavenly Father.
He concludes with the famous passage from 1 Corinthians 13, underscoring the importance of love as the foundation of everything we do as believers. Without love, even the greatest acts of faith mean nothing. Ultimately, Caleb’s message encourages us to embody God’s love in our daily lives and relationships.
Lifting by Anastasia Durgin – A Reflection on Perspective
In her recent presentation, artist Anastasia Durgin unveiled her latest painting, Lifting, a piece that captures the tension between our earthly experiences and the greater reality of Heaven. The painting features Durgin herself as a symbol for all of humanity, standing amidst the chaos of a crumbling Earth. The sky above, however, offers a glimpse of Heaven, which Durgin describes as “so much bigger” than what we often focus on.
Through Lifting, Durgin challenges viewers to shift their perspective. We are often consumed by the challenges and struggles on Earth, but the painting reminds us that Heaven’s vastness and peace far exceed the temporary nature of our worldly concerns.
The soft colors and layered textures reflect the blurry line between the two realms, suggesting that it takes a conscious effort to recognize Heaven’s presence in our lives. Durgin’s thoughtful composition encourages viewers to rise above self-centeredness and embrace the broader, divine perspective that is always present, yet often unseen.
By flipping the canvas or looking from a different angle, Durgin’s work allows us to imagine that there is so much more beyond what our eyes initially perceive. With this insightful piece, she invites us to lift our vision and remember that Heaven is indeed larger than life on Earth.
Reflecting God’s Love: Becoming Love Like Our Heavenly Father
A sermon by Caleb Milbourn
Be Love Like Your Father: A Call to Live Out God’s Love
In today’s world, where division, hatred, and anger often dominate our interactions, the message of love is more relevant than ever. Caleb Milbourn, in his powerful message titled “Be Love Like Your Father,” reminds us that love is at the very core of our identity as children of God.
Following the Commandments: A Heart Issue
Many of us have grown up hearing about the Ten Commandments in church. We hear phrases like “do this” and “don’t do that,” but Caleb reminds us that there are two sides to following these commandments. The first is to follow them simply because it’s what God asks of us. The second is to internalize them and mold them into the fabric of our lives—not just following out of obligation, but out of genuine belief in their value.
He uses a beautiful analogy: just like a key must remain in its original shape to unlock a door, we cannot distort God’s commandments to suit our own preferences. If we do, we lose the ability to access the fullness of life that God has for us.
Love Your Neighbor—and Your Enemy
One of the commandments that is often forgotten or misapplied is the call to love your neighbor as yourself. Caleb takes us through 1 John 2, reminding us that hating another person—whether a fellow believer or not—keeps us in darkness. Instead, we are called to love even our enemies, as Jesus instructs in Matthew 5:44.
This command can seem impossible at times, but Caleb reassures us that we have God’s love within us. We don’t love in our own strength; we love because God is love, and His Spirit enables us to do what seems difficult.
Living in God’s Love
As children of God, we have been given an incredible identity. Caleb uses 1 John 4:16 to illustrate that living in love is living in God, and as we continue to grow in that love, it becomes more perfect. This is not about achieving perfection through our own efforts, but about allowing God’s love to transform us, enabling us to love others as He loves.
In a world where hatred and division seem to prevail, Caleb’s message is a refreshing reminder of how we should stand out. We are children of a heavenly Father who is defined by love, and we are called to reflect that love in everything we do. Whether it’s through forgiving those who hurt us, loving those who are different, or simply showing kindness to a stranger, we are to embody the love of God.
The Most Excellent Way: Love
To drive this point home, Caleb finishes his message with the well-known passage from 1 Corinthians 13. No matter how great our faith, how much knowledge we possess, or how many good deeds we do—without love, it all means nothing. Love is patient, kind, and never gives up. It doesn’t seek its own way or hold grudges. It always believes, hopes, and endures.
This is the love we are called to, and this is the love our Father has shown us. As Caleb concludes, the invitation is clear: Be love like your Father. It’s not just a command, but a reminder of who we truly are as God’s children.
So, how can we reflect God’s love today? Let’s live in the light, extend grace to others, and above all, love as we have been loved.
Here is a discussion guide based on the two sermons, one by Caleb Milbourn titled “Be Love Like Your Father” and the second by Anastasia Durgin based on her painting “Lifting.” Each section includes ice-breakers, a summary, discussion questions, and a closing prayer.
Discussion Guide 1: Be Love Like Your Father by Caleb Milbourn
Ice-breaker Questions:
- What’s one thing that stood out to you about Caleb’s message on love?
- Can you share a time when you found it difficult to love someone, but you tried to follow God’s command to love them anyway?
- Who is someone in your life who you think exemplifies God’s love?
Sermon Summary:
Caleb Milbourn’s sermon, Be Love Like Your Father, focuses on the commandment to love others as God loves us. He highlights the idea that love is central to God’s commandments and how living in love brings us closer to Him. Caleb uses scriptures from 1 John and Matthew to show that love isn’t just for those we like, but extends even to our enemies. He emphasizes that as children of God, we are called to mirror His perfect love in how we treat others, and this reflects our identity in Christ. Through love, we overcome hate and fulfill the purpose God has for us as His children.
Discussion Questions:
- Caleb mentioned that sometimes we try to mold God’s commands to fit our own desires. Have you ever struggled with this? How can we be more open to applying God’s Word as it is?
- The sermon talked about loving not just those who love us, but even our enemies. How do you think we can practice this kind of love in our daily lives?
- In 1 John 4:16, it says, “God is love, and all who live in love live in God.” What does living in love mean to you, and how can we grow in this love?
- Caleb compared God’s commandments to a key that unlocks the door to God’s kingdom. What does it look like in practical terms to “unlock the door” by following God’s commands?
- How can we remind ourselves daily of our identity as children of God, especially when it’s hard to love those around us?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your boundless love that You freely give to us. Help us to love as You love, to be patient and kind even when it’s difficult, and to remember that we are Your children. Mold our hearts to reflect Your love in every action we take and every word we speak. May we become love like You, our perfect Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion Guide 2: Lifting by Anastasia Durgin
Ice-breaker Questions:
- If you could represent your relationship with God in a painting, what would it look like?
- Have you ever seen a situation where you realized there was a bigger picture beyond what you originally saw?
- What does heaven mean to you, and how do you imagine it?
Sermon Summary:
In her presentation on her painting Lifting, Anastasia Durgin uses the visual metaphor of Earth and Heaven to illustrate the contrast between what we see and what God sees. She explains how the painting represents the smallness of Earth compared to the greatness of Heaven, encouraging us to see beyond our earthly perspective and realize the bigger picture that God has in mind. Anastasia also emphasizes how we often focus on ourselves and forget that God’s plans and Heaven are much greater than what we experience here.
Discussion Questions:
- Anastasia mentioned that we often only see Earth and forget about the bigger picture. What are some ways we can shift our perspective to see God’s larger plan in our lives?
- The painting Lifting shows the Earth falling apart and Heaven being so much bigger. How do you think this visual image connects with our spiritual lives and struggles?
- Anastasia talks about how we tend to make things about ourselves, but Heaven is bigger than just us. How can we stop making everything about ourselves and focus more on God’s bigger picture?
- In your own words, what does “lifting” mean in the context of your faith journey? How can we lift our perspective to see things the way God sees them?
- How can we remind ourselves daily that Heaven is so much bigger than the challenges and issues we face here on Earth?
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for the reminder that Your ways are higher than our ways, and Your plans are greater than what we see on Earth. Help us to lift our eyes to Heaven and see the bigger picture You have in store for us. When we get caught up in our own world, remind us that You are in control and that Your Kingdom is far greater than anything we could imagine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.