Christmas 1 John

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Text: 1 Jo 4:9-11
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that We loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Intro: Cit…You were specially created - hand crafted -uniquely make - for purpose of bringing glory to God.
Trans: The most important thing that happens at Christmas is the subject this morning. More important than the presence of faith and the loss of fear, more important than the presence of hope, is the presence of charity, i.e. Love in action.
1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV 1900
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
When Love comes to town it shows itself:
I. Love shows itself in Power
"Explanation: A. What is the power of gift to us? Notice in
verse nine the usefulness of the gift, "...so we might live."
Jesus said it this way:
"I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John10:10
What a promise that is! Not just life - not just existence - but life which means something - life that has worth - abundant life. Life with a purpose. A life which has value. Life with meaning. A life that will have eternal consequences and benefits.
Argument:
God has made you a SPECIAL PERSON for a SPECIAL PURPOSE
Ephesians 1:4 KJV 1900
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
According as he hath chosen us in him not just some suggestion that God is making to us. The Greek word for "should" could be translated "MUST". The root word means actually means - to owe something. You owe a payment - you are under obligation - you must pay it back! Let me restate the last part of verse eleven again.
1 John 4:11 KJV 1900
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Why? Because God is not done loving the world yet. He wants to keep loving the world - through you and through me. Jesus said it this way:
illustration: Mat 5:14-16
Matthew 5:14–16 KJV 1900
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Does God's love change you? Does it affect your behavior? Does it affect the way you treat people? You see that is what love is intended to do. It doesn't make toast - it doesn't make coffee - it changes us into loving compassionate people who care for the needs of those who around us. God wants to love the world - but He has a desire to do through you. Are you willing to let God show His love through you?
1 John 4:9–11 KJV 1900
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Application: A. We certainly MUST love each other. before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Cit…You were specially created - hand crafted -uniquely make - for purpose of bringing glory to God.
FACT: I am here for THE GLORY OF GOD.
Illustration: My purpose is to live a life that magnifies the Lord, to encourage and support fellow Christians, to become more like Christ, to use my gifts and talents in helping others, to tell those who don't know Jesus that there is Good News. My purpose to bring glory to God in all I do and say. And when all is said and done I long to hear the words:
Matthew 25:21 KJV 1900
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Application: A. You have brought Me glory - you have enlarged the kingdom of God - you have done well. God's gift of salvation to us is useful. It gives us meaning and value. Our purpose is to bring glory to God.
II. Love shows itself in Expending
Explanation
2 Samuel 24:24 KJV 1900
And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
"neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.
Illustration: David said if he was going to give a sacrifice to the Lord he was going to give his best -something of value - something of worth. Why would David say that?
Because that is God has done for us. He has given us the most precious gift He could possibly give - something of worth -something of value - something that is one in a kind. He gave us His son. Look at verse ten again.
Argument: A. "This is the kind of love we are talking about— not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice..."
God knew what had to be done. He knew what price had to be paid. He knew what it was going to cost Him and He sent the best for you and me. He sent Jesus Christ - born as a child for the salvation of the world. If He gave that much to me -what should I give Him?
Application: A.
FACT: God's gift to me is VALUABLE.
III. Love shows itself in Effect
Explanation: A. If I get a toaster for Christmas I expect it to make toast. If I get a coffee machine I expect it to make coffee. If I get a hair curler I'll save it for re-gifting. But the question that needs to be asked is: Is it effective. Does it do what it was intended to do?
Telos (/ˈtɛ.lɒs/; Greek: τέλος, translit. télos, lit. "end, 'purpose', or 'goal'")[1] is a term used by philosopher Aristotle to refer to the final cause of a natural organ or entity, or of a work of human art. Intentional actualization of potential or inherent purpose,[2] similar to the notion of an 'end goal' or 'raison d'être'. Moreover, it can be understood as the "supreme end of man's endeavour".[3]
Argument: A. Look at these three verses again - to me they seem almost like a mathematical formula. 1+1=2. See how it all adds up. "God's gift is useful PLUS God's gift is valuable EQUALS we ought to love one another.
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