Advent: No Greater Love Story

Intro: The story of advent is one for the ages. It is the fulfillment of a love story of God and man. This love story is evident through what is gained and experienced. Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. This is exactly what dreams are made of, however its not a dream but real. We cannot simply allow this moment to just be about the arrival of Immanuel, Jesus the Christ; He had to come for a reason.

This reason supersedes traditions of men, but God sending the Immanuel to us is a mobilization of warfare. This is a military deployment to defeat God’s enemies.

Isaiah 7:14 “14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel.”

God’s omniscience and omnipotence is about to manifest on earth in a manner that allows the second person of the God becoming an incarnate being as both God and man positioned for war. For humanity he came as the savior of the world.

Romans 5:8 “8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

while his judgement

Revelation 20:10 “10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

This goes far beyond a love story, but war too!

1 John 3:8b “8 “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”

Our morning’s message is “Advent, No Greater Love Story”

No Greater Promise

Genesis 3:15 “15 And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel.””

God demonstrates a three-fold promise

Satan is an exposed enemy of God

Satan is an exposed enemy of man

Satan is a defeated foe crushing him, his system and influence

Isaiah 14:15–16 “15 “Nevertheless you will be brought down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit. 16 “Those who see you will stare at you, They will closely examine you, saying, ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms,”

No Greater Love

God’s eternal love shows mankind that he doesn’t want any of us to experience eternal separation

2 Peter 3:9 (NASB 2020)

9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

John 15:13 (NASB 2020)

13 Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.

Ezekiel 18:32 (NASB 2020)

32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live!”

God’s arrival was the mercy of God towards humanity.

God spared no expense for our salvation. He sent his essence, person, nature as a gift for us.

God gift to us is the greatest unquestionable gift, its our response to His love that is importance

God considers us more than just children, but friend

No Greater Peace

Romans 5:1 (NASB 2020)

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Colossians 3:15 (NASB 2020)

15 Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.

A comforting peace

A compassionate peace

A cause for our peace

A confirming peace

John 14:27 NASB 2020

27 Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.

No Greater Hope

Assurance

Hebrews 11:1 (NASB 2020)

1 Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.

Praise

Romans 12:12 (NASB 2020)

12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

Cause of my hope

1 Peter 1:3 (NASB 2020)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Support of my hope

Romans 15:4 (NASB 2020)

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

No Greater Joy

Authentic response because HE IS!

Romans 14:17 (NASB 2020)

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

It should be our manifested behaviour

Galatians 5:22–23 (NASB 2020)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

No Greater Victory

Security

Psalm 98:1 (NASB 2020)

1 Sing a new song to the Lord, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.

Preeminence

1 Chronicles 29:11 (NASB 2020)

11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Yours is the dominion, Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.

Colossians 1:18 (NASB 2020)

18 He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Power over this world

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 (NASB 2020)

54 But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, O death, is your victory? where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Comfort

John 16:33 (NASB 2020)

33 These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”