Introduction
It’s an honor to serve the Lord with our lives, to partner with Him in His eternal work here on earth. If you belong to Jesus Christ You are a partner with Him. You were called into fellowship – or shared life, with Him.
You see, God isn’t just loving, God is love and therefore becoming more like Christ is all about growing in love. If God is at work in us it stands to reason that work is expanding our love.
Main Idea: At the heart of honoring and partnering with the Lord is the daily refining and expanding of our love’s impact on the world around us.
We are God’s representatives. And our product is love.
Text: Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Leo Buscaglia: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
The smallest act of caring can turn a life around. Small Pebbles can create Big Ripples. I want to share four with you. A look. A word. A touch. And a token.
I. A Look
Jesus looked at Peter Luke 22:61 (NIV) 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”
Jesus’ look at Peter was one of deep empathy and a reminder of their bond.
A look can convey so much emotion—understanding, compassion, connection.
Our gazes can show others that we see them, that they matter.
II. A Word
He gives me a tongue to sustain the weary with a word (Isaiah 50:4)
Words have the power to uplift, reassure, and heal. Jesus used His words to speak life and truth to those around Him.
Speaking a kind word or offering a listening ear can renew someone’s spirit. Whether through encouragement, wisdom, or simply acknowledging someone’s feelings, words can be a powerful tool for love.
If you see something say something. If someone does something that inspires you, encourages you or blesses you, say something.
III. A Touch
Jesus touched the leper. Matthew 8:1-3 (NIV) 1 When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
Under Old Testament law, touching a leper made a person ceremonially unclean and lepers (Leviticus 13-14). Lepers were required to live outside the camp and announce their unclean status to prevent others from coming into contact with other people.
But Jesus often acted in ways that went beyond the letter of the law. And each time He did it, it was to emphasize compassion and the deeper spirit of God’s commandments. When He touched this man, it wasn’t just a physical healing but a profound act of love and restoration.
A touch of love, coming when people least expect it or feel least worthy of it, is a small pebble that makes a big ripple.
III. A Token
Luke 7:36-47 (NIV) Jesus accepts a woman’s token of love and rebukes a self-righteous Pharisee. “He who is forgiven much loves much, He who is forgiven little loves little.”
We need to see that we are “forgiven much” so we can love much.
A token of love or appreciation can be a tangible expression of care. The woman’s act was one of devotion and gratitude, symbolizing a heart transformed by love.
Small gestures like giving someone a thoughtful gift, leaving a note of appreciation, can be tangible expressions of love.
Conclusion: When it comes to loving others, it’s often the simplest acts that make the biggest difference. By being mindful of these small, yet powerful gestures, we can reflect the love of Christ in our everyday interactions. Whether it’s through a look, a word, a touch, or a token, these acts of kindness can transform lives and build deeper connections.
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