The Bible App is completely free, with no advertising and no in-app purchases. Get the app
Candia Congregational Church
Alignment: Love People
Our prayer is that on Sundays, God would gather His people together so that their faith may grow and be ready to go into the world as His ambassadors.
Locations & Times
Candia Congregational Church
1 South Rd, Candia, NH 03034, USA
Friday 9:50 AM
Partner with us
We are thrilled you've joined us in worship today!
You can use the link below to let us know who you are, ask us a question, or let us know if you are ready to take the next step in your walk with Jesus.
https://candiacongregational.org/Have-A-QuestionPray With Us
We are a church that believes in the power of prayer! If you would like people who live to pray for others praying for you, then use the link below to let them know how they can pray for you. If you would like to pray with Pastor Steve after the service he is available after each service at the front of the sanctuary.
https://candiacongregational.org/Prayer-Request/Begin a Relationship with Jesus, The Son of God
John 1:12–13 (ESV) “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” To learn more about how you can become God’s son or daughter, click the link.
https://candiacongregational.org/Have-A-QuestionJoin a Small Group
In our Small Groups, you will find men and women, young and old, at different stages in their walk with Jesus. You will encounter imperfect people sincerely seeking to love God, and others learning how to help them do the same. In other words, you will find people just like you! Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works . . ."
https://candiacongregational.org/SmallGroupsGive As An Act Of Worship
We believe giving is an act of worship that begins with you and God sitting with your Bible and Bank Statement open. This gives you time to reflect on His provision in your life and determine what portion you will give back. Thank you in advance for your love and devotion to God and for partnering with us in His Kingdom Ministry. Please use the link below to access our e-giving platform. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
https://app.faithteams.com/portal/desktop/give.html?c=9d530b1a-8930-11ec-9352-0a5ffbc0ff04
Opening Thought
Most of us don’t disagree with Jesus when He says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We like the idea of being loving people. But love gets tested when we’re tired, stressed, and stretched thin—when our neighbor becomes inconvenient, difficult, or draining.
Today Jesus reminds us that loving others isn’t a side issue of the Christian life—it’s one of the clearest evidences that our love for God is real. And the good news is this: God doesn’t just command us to love… He enlarges our hearts by His Spirit so we can.
Most of us don’t disagree with Jesus when He says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We like the idea of being loving people. But love gets tested when we’re tired, stressed, and stretched thin—when our neighbor becomes inconvenient, difficult, or draining.
Today Jesus reminds us that loving others isn’t a side issue of the Christian life—it’s one of the clearest evidences that our love for God is real. And the good news is this: God doesn’t just command us to love… He enlarges our hearts by His Spirit so we can.
Big Idea:
Loving Your Neighbor Comes From Capacity, Not Ability!
God enlarges our hearts, our capacity, so we can love our neighbors as ourselves - a love that flows from identity, not performance.
Loving Your Neighbor Comes From Capacity, Not Ability!
God enlarges our hearts, our capacity, so we can love our neighbors as ourselves - a love that flows from identity, not performance.
I. Loving Your Neighbor IS NOT OPTIONAL.
Matthew 22:39-40, ESV
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.
Key Thought:
1) Loving your neighbor is foundational.
2) The clearest evidence of a God-centered life is a neighbor-centered love.
Matthew 22:39-40, ESV
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.
Key Thought:
1) Loving your neighbor is foundational.
2) The clearest evidence of a God-centered life is a neighbor-centered love.
II. Loving Your Neighbor Begins With CAPACITY.
Psalm 119:32, ESV
“I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!”
1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV
“and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,”
Key Thought:
1) God is not looking for us to get busy loving people.
2) Fruit, loving your neighbor, comes after the heart is enlarged.
3) Like loving God, our ability to love our neighbor comes from God.
Psalm 119:32, ESV
“I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!”
1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV
“and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,”
Key Thought:
1) God is not looking for us to get busy loving people.
2) Fruit, loving your neighbor, comes after the heart is enlarged.
3) Like loving God, our ability to love our neighbor comes from God.
III. 5 Relational Realms to Focus On.
Ephesians 4:1-7, ESV
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
Key Thoughts:
1) Humility is the Spirit-shaped posture of lowliness before God and others—seeing yourself truthfully, not inflated or diminished, and gladly taking the lower place for the good of others.
It’s not self-hatred.
It’s self-forgetfulness and God-centeredness.
2) Gentleness is strength under control—power submitted to God, expressed in tenderness rather than harshness.
Gentleness is not weakness.
It is restrained strength that protects rather than crushes.
3) Patience is long-suffering love—steadfast endurance with people and circumstances without giving way to anger, despair, or quitting.
Patience is love that stays.
4) Forbearance is love that bears with others—choosing to endure offenses, weaknesses, and differences without retaliation, bitterness, or withdrawal.
It’s the grace to say: “I will not make this person pay.”
Forbearance is not pretending sin doesn’t matter, it’s refusing to respond in a way that destroys the relationship.
5) Love is a covenantal commitment to seek another’s true good—sacrificially, truthfully, and faithfully—regardless of personal cost.
Love is not mere affection.
Love is not tolerance.
Love is not enabling.
Love is active goodwill shaped by God’s holiness.
Ephesians 4:1-7, ESV
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
Key Thoughts:
1) Humility is the Spirit-shaped posture of lowliness before God and others—seeing yourself truthfully, not inflated or diminished, and gladly taking the lower place for the good of others.
It’s not self-hatred.
It’s self-forgetfulness and God-centeredness.
2) Gentleness is strength under control—power submitted to God, expressed in tenderness rather than harshness.
Gentleness is not weakness.
It is restrained strength that protects rather than crushes.
3) Patience is long-suffering love—steadfast endurance with people and circumstances without giving way to anger, despair, or quitting.
Patience is love that stays.
4) Forbearance is love that bears with others—choosing to endure offenses, weaknesses, and differences without retaliation, bitterness, or withdrawal.
It’s the grace to say: “I will not make this person pay.”
Forbearance is not pretending sin doesn’t matter, it’s refusing to respond in a way that destroys the relationship.
5) Love is a covenantal commitment to seek another’s true good—sacrificially, truthfully, and faithfully—regardless of personal cost.
Love is not mere affection.
Love is not tolerance.
Love is not enabling.
Love is active goodwill shaped by God’s holiness.
A Final Thought
Loving your neighbor isn’t an “extra” part of following Jesus—it’s one of the clearest signs that His love is taking root in you. And when you feel like you don’t have it in you, don’t default to guilt or striving. Come closer to the Father who calls you His child, and ask Him to enlarge your heart. As His love fills you, love will begin to overflow—toward the people near you, and even toward the ones who are hardest to love.
Loving your neighbor isn’t an “extra” part of following Jesus—it’s one of the clearest signs that His love is taking root in you. And when you feel like you don’t have it in you, don’t default to guilt or striving. Come closer to the Father who calls you His child, and ask Him to enlarge your heart. As His love fills you, love will begin to overflow—toward the people near you, and even toward the ones who are hardest to love.
Your Blessing:
May the Lord enlarge your heart with His love, fill you with the joy of your identity as His son or daughter, and strengthen you by His Spirit to love your neighbor as yourself.
And may your life bear witness that Jesus Christ is Lord— not only in what you believe, but in how you love.
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
Amen.
May the Lord enlarge your heart with His love, fill you with the joy of your identity as His son or daughter, and strengthen you by His Spirit to love your neighbor as yourself.
And may your life bear witness that Jesus Christ is Lord— not only in what you believe, but in how you love.
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
Amen.
A 5 Day Sermon Based Devotional
Love People Most of us want to be loving people. But love gets tested when we’re tired, stressed, and stretched thin—when our “neighbor” becomes inconvenient, difficult, or draining. This week’s devotional is an invitation to something deeper than simply trying harder. As we look at Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor as yourself,” we’ll ask God to enlarge our hearts—so love can flow from our identity as His sons and daughters, not from our own strength.
https://www.candiacongregational.org/blog/SGDG-LovePeopleCheck Out Our Website For More Information and Resources
There is so much more to know about the Christian life. Check out our website for information about this church, its ministries, and other ways to grow and find your place in God's Kingdom.
https://candiacongregational.org/