Living Light - Part 2 [Notes]

The world feels heavy for a lot of people right now. Stress, anxiety, relationships, busyness, and constant pressure can leave us overwhelmed. Living Light is a timely three-week series about how faith in Christ, sharing life with others, and wise limits can truly help lighten the load. This isn’t a “try harder” or “do better” series; it’s an opportunity to slow down, reflect on God’s Word, and take steps toward living in a more sustainable, enjoyable way.
Reasons we handle things alone:
  • Individualism
  • Inconvenience
  • Isolation
Living Light
Week 1:  Jesus came to carry our load, starting with the burden of our sin.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
— Matthew 11:28-30
Living Light
Week 2: 
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need one another.
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:34-35 [emphasis added]
“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.”
— John 15:12 [emphasis added]
“This is what I command you: Love one another.”
— John 15:17 [emphasis added]
 “To love others was not a new commandment (Leviticus 19:18), but to love others as much as Jesus loved others was revolutionary. Now we are to love others based on Jesus’ sacrificial love for us.”
Life Application Study Bible, note on John 13:34
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need one another.
✅ Practice the “one anothers” that strengthen relationships
1) Serve one another 
The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.  Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
— 1 Peter 4:7-11
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need one another.
✅ Practice the “one anothers” that strengthen relationships 
1) Serve one another 
2) Encourage one another 
Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
— Hebrews 10:23-25
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need one another.
✅ Practice the “one anothers” that strengthen relationships 
1) Serve one another 
2) Encourage one another
3) Forgive one another 
Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
— Ephesians 4:31-32
Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  

Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
— Galatians 6:2, 9-10
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need one another.
✅ Practice the “one anothers” that strengthen relationships 
❌ Abstain from the “one anothers” that destroy relationships
1) Do not lie to one another 
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.
— Colossians 3:9-10
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need one another.
✅ Practice the “one anothers” that strengthen relationships 
❌ Abstain from the “one anothers” that destroy relationships 
1)  Do not lie to one another
2) Do not “bite” one another (to their face)
But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
— Galatians 5:15, 26
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need one another.
✅ Practice the “one anothers” that strengthen relationships 
❌ Abstain from the “one anothers” that destroy relationships 
1)  Do not lie to one another
2) Do not “bite” one another (to their face)
3) Do not speak evil against one another (behind their back)
Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters.
— James 4:11a
Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.
— Ephesians 4:31
Jesus came to carry our load, starting with the burden of our sin.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need one another.
✅ Practice the “one anothers” that strengthen relationships 
❌ Abstain from the “one anothers” that destroy relationships 

Discussion Questions // 

  1. Pastor Josh opened with the idea that we often try to carry life’s burdens alone. Which of these—individualism, not wanting to inconvenience others, or isolation—do you relate to most, and why?
  2. Genesis shows that it is “not good for man to be alone,” even before sin entered the world. What does this tell us about how God designed us, and how does that challenge the way we tend to live today?
  3. Jesus repeatedly commanded His followers to “love one another.” What do you think makes this kind of sacrificial, “agape” love difficult to live out consistently? 
  4. The message highlighted several “one another” commands like serving, encouraging, and forgiving. Which of these do you feel you’re doing well, and which one do you feel challenged to grow in right now?
  5. The sermon also warned against destructive behaviors like gossip, lying, or tearing others down. How can we practically guard our words and actions so that we build others up instead of damaging relationships?

Catch Up // 

You can watch or listen to past messages online!

Worship Setlist //

House of The Lord // 1,000 Names // No Longer Slaves // Song of The Saints

Give // 

Your financial gift to support what God is doing at The Ridge makes ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity. We cannot do any of what God has asked us to do here at The Ridge without your faithful and cheerful giving.
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