The Love of Christ

John 3:16-17““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Have you ever loved something? Now all you teenagers in relationships say ‘I love my baby’ or ‘I love this man of mine’, but then you break up and seem to hate each others guts. That’s not love. That is infatuation.

Infatuation is unreasonable. It is temporary. It is strong, but frivolous. When broken it is like a leaf in the wind. It rolls on. Jesus says true love is this. That a man would give his life for his friend. You might say “Well that is an odd way to put love”, but think of this. You would love someone so much that you would willingly stand up and say “I want you to live life and enjoy all of God’s gifts so much that I am willing to give my life up in order to see that happen.”

How many of you could say that in your relationship? Now you may not have perfect parents. No one is perfect, but your parents give their lives in order that you may live yours. I promise you that if it was not for you being in their lives your parents could live a totally different life. Your parents would not give you up, but the reality of it all is that life would look differently. They give up on some of their dreams so that you will have food in your belly. They give up some of their hobbies so that there is clothes on your back. They give up some of their personal enjoyment so that you can play sports, and go on trips with your clubs. Your parents give up parts of themselves so that you can enjoy life. That is the sacrifice of being a parent, and if called upon a good parent would give their life in order to see you keep yours. That is love.

There is an account in the book of 1 Kings there was a situation where two women lived in a house, and both had recently given birth to baby boys. One baby died tragically in the night, yet the other lived. In the dark of night the mother who lost her baby stole the living one, switched the living body for that of the baby who passed away, and was claiming that her baby was alive while the other had died. When morning came both mothers were arguing over the ordeal to the king, and the king grew tired of the bickering. He summoned a man with a sword and ordered the baby to be cut in half so that each woman could have half of the child. The first woman shrieked and pleaded to let the boy go to the other woman, but only let him live. The second woman replied “he will be neither mine, nor yours. Divide him.” Solomon gave the boy to the first woman and sent them on their way.

— Love always seeks what is best for the other company.

I want you to know this. You are not perfect. You are a good looking bunch of teenagers, but inside I know that you are flawed. You have made plenty of mistakes. You may have even made mistakes that you would be absolutely petrified if the rest of the world knew you had committed them.

Would you like for us to replay your thoughts like they were a movie on a screen? What about the actions you commit when you think that know one is looking? The truth of the matter is that someone is looking, and someone is listening. That someone is God, but listen to what He has to say.

To love is go sacrifice. The greater the willingness to sacrifice, the deeper the love. Jesus said that no greater a love than a man should lay down his life for his friend. Your life is the most precious thing that you have, and Paul tells us in Romans that while we were still sinners, while we were still enemies of Christ, He died for us. Now how many of you would die for your enemy? Christ’s love is perfect.

If you want to know more about the love of Christ then I want to give you a list of people to talk to. You can talk to coach Goodwin, Coach Pigott, and Mr. Tanner, Mrs. Wilson, and Mr. Riddle to name a few people. They would be more than willing to talk to you. At church, or anytime you see us walking around, Richard and I would love to explain to you the depths of Christs love.

If you are saying “well Colter I understand all that” then I want you to understand this. Christ gave His life so you could live and have a relationship with you. Know that you are loved, and take your relationship with Him seriously. Do not waste precious years goofing around with your Christianity. Go all in, live the sold out life. You only have one life, live it well.