The Gift of God's Love

This morning will be a different sermon than I usually preach. I generally utilize a passage of scripture and I expound on that scripture. It is called expository preaching. This morning however I will be doing a more topical message. I do not in general like to do topical sermons because they often times can be manipulated and the scriptures are more used to make a point rather than the point being built around the scripture. With that being said I have spent great time in ensuring that the scriptures we will utilize this morning are in themselves making the point and I will highlight the point inside of those scriptures. The message this morning aims to remind us before Christmas what the real purpose of Christmas is. This time of year brings a mix of emotions for people. It brings joy, it brings peace, and it brings hope. For others it brings stress, frustration, and selfishness. The reason there is such stark differences is because the importance focuses on different objects of affection. The first person described makes Christ the object of their affection and are grateful for the greatest gift. The second makes the holiday and the gifts, and the things they want as the objects of their affection. So how can we ensure that we do not fall victim to this second mindset? By reminding ourselves of the original purpose of Christmas. Reminding ourselves that Christmas is s a time to celebrate the greatest gift ever given and the ultimate sacrifice for that gift having been made. This morning we will be in 3 separate scriptures. First we will be in John 3:16 and in this scripture we will see The Promise of Love. Second we will be in Luke 2 and we will see the delivery of Love. Lastly we will be in 1 John 4:18-21 and will see the Response to Love.

Christmas is a season of giving. We exchange gifts to show love, appreciation, and thoughtfulness. But amidst all the traditions, we must not forget the greatest gift ever given—the gift of God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. This gift wasn’t wrapped in fancy paper but in swaddling clothes, placed not under a tree but in a manger.

The things of Christmas that were made to be reminders have often become just another part of the Holiday. Take for instance the Christmas Tree. The tree has become a holding place for gifts and a place for us to look at and see pretty lights. The Christmas Tree though has so much more meaning. The tree fir instance, see what I did there? Just kidding, the tree is an evergreen which is a representation of the eternal life given in Christ. The lights and ornaments are supposed to represent us being a city on a hill visible for all to see, the shape is that of a triangle representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy spirit. The tree is made of wood to represent the manger and the cross. Lastly the star on top to represent the light of the world that Christ was and the star in the east to guide the magi.

The Christmas wreath while it is so pretty on our doors is so much more than just a decoration. The wreath like the tree is made from an evergreen to represent the eternal life in Christ. The circle to represent the eternal presence of God having no beginning and no end. Many wreaths are made with Holly to represent the crown of thorns that Jesus would wear as a mockery but also an example of His great love and suffering for us. Cedar weaved in is to represent the healing that Jesus brings to the world.

Gifts were given originally in a time when many had to make sacrifices to give those gifts. The gifts represented sacrifice and the greatest gift having been Christ.

If you are sitting there and saying I had no idea, you begin to realize the problem with the commercialization of Christmas. You begin to realize why it is so important that we are reminded of the real meaning of Christmas. You begin to realize why the obvious response to this is for some to go completely the opposite way. As we celebrate and embrace this Christmas, I pray that our hearts are turned back to the original meaning and purpose of all of these symbols. Let us read our 3 passages of Scripture and we will get started.

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 2:8–19 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

1 John 4:18–21 ESV

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

The Promise of Love

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Have you ever been promised something and just cannot wait for it to happen? You know how a promise of something draws in you a hope, a desire, and an impatience. As we celebrate Christmas it is important for us to not forget that for so many generations Jesus was just that, a future promise. Jesus had not come and had not delivered them, they could only look to the words of the prophets and hope for the promise given. With no distinct timeline given, the people if Israel waited for the Messiah. This promise of deliverance, this promise of a sacrifice that would end their suffering and end their pain and captivity. You could imagine how they would have longed for this. Look at what the prophets said about the promise of Christ. The promise of Christ started way back in Genesis. First the prophets said that Jesus would come from the line of Abraham.

Genesis 12:3 ESV

3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

While some utilize this inappropriately in our time we will say this simply. This scripture was not a promise of riches, fame, fortune for Abraham but of a promise for the Messiah to come from his blood line. This was a promise from God that in his time those who blessed Abraham and helped pave the way for the Messiah would be blessed and that through the prophecy and the promise the whole world would be blessed.

It was then promised that the Messiah would descend from the line of David

2 Samuel 7:12–13 ESV

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

It was promised that Jesus would be born from a virgin.

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

It was promised He would be born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 ESV

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

It was promised that the Messiah would be a descendant of Jesse

Isaiah 11:1 ESV

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

The Prophets also said that Jesus would be called “God with Us”

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Could you imagine the anticipation of the promise of the Messiah. The Israelites by their own sin had led themselves into captivity over and over. Originally having determined that they wanted a human king over having God as their king. It was told to them that every king would be worse than the last. This was in fact the case until the final king entered the scene. This king brought with him a fulfilled prophecy and a promise kept. The anticipation of freedom and God with Us was something I could imagine was exciting for the Israelites.

Promises are interesting aren't they? One thing I can tell you is to never make a promise to a child. Especially if that child is one of my children. Why? So the other day I was driving home form work and Rylan was so upset. He was upset because his siblings had promised they would play in the water with him. Now keep in mind that it is in the 40s-50s. You can question my parenting later. He wanted to play in the water and we were going to let them with the idea that they would only be able to handle it for a few minutes before they could not stand it. Well Rylans siblings decided to rethink their position on this playing in the water thing. So I call after they make this decision and he is balling. He is so sad that he cannot handle it. So I do what any not thinking parent does. I said don’t worry buddy I promise when I get home I will play in the water with you. Not I promise I will make them play with you, no I promise I will play with you. So guess what the first thing he said when I came through the door was? Yep you got it, lets go play in the water! I had to keep my promise to him and he was so excited for me to keep that promise. It was freezing and we did not last very long.

Jesus was a promise of love for His people. Jesus would come and would fulfill the scriptures and the prophets because of God’s great love for His people. This Christmas may we remember the promise that was delivered to our world a promise of love and fulfillment. May we not be fulfilled in gifts and things, but in Christ and God’s love. Christmas is not just about the promise of love, it is also about the delivery of Love.

Delivery of Love

Luke 2:8–14 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Jesus was not just promised through the prophets, He was delivered in the most meaningful way. Jesus was not born in a palace separated from the common man, no he was born in a manger in the most humble of births. He was declared by angels to the shepherds, indicating God’s heart for the lowly and forgotten. I believe God used the manger and a Baby for a reason.

The most meaningful gifts I have ever recieved are gifts that are simple and meaningful. Humble in nature. Take for instance this little sheep. Rylan made this in Sunday School and he brought it home and he came to me and said daddy I want you to have this because we are Jesus sheep. It brought me so much joy. I have recieved some amazing gifts but can I tell you the most expensive gift does not compare to this humble beautiful gift from my child.

This is the same thing I believe that God was doing when He sent Jesus in a humble manger and declared His birth to some humble lowly Shepherds. Jesus was the promise of God’s love but the way He delivered that Love was to meet us where we were. No need to be rich or famous, Jesus was coming to the common man and was going to make His home in their hearts. Scripture tells us about the humble nature of Christ and the gift of His love.

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

John 13:1–17 ESV

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Jesus love came to serve and not to be served. Jesus came to be a humble servant of the Love of God to the World. Why did the Jews miss the Christ? Because they were looking for someone who would be born royal and would be born rich and would be born powerful. They were not looking to the humble things. Can I encourage you not to miss Christmas this year? Can I encourage you to remember that Jesus was delivered in a humble and loving way. All the things can distract us from the humble manger and the humble savior who came to change our lives, right where we are. Jesus was the promised live, delivered to us in humility, and that love and that humility require a response on our part.

The Response to Love

1 John 4:18–21 ESV

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

The tree, the cross, the wreath, the gifts, the holly, all of these things. I question if they should be as joyful as they are to me. I do not say this to rain on our Christmas. I say this out of true conviction. Why is it when I look at the tree that I do not question my heart in this season? Why is it when I see the wreath that represents the eternal nature of God that I worry about things to temporal? Why do all these symbols of a humble love and a fulfilled love and a love that took Jesus to the cross, does not make me question my own faith? Christmas should bring us joy, it should also bring with it a challenge of our current state. A place where we understand our lives in reflection to Christ and the expected response to His love for us. What did the scripture say that our response to Jesus love is? It is to share that love to the world. It is to extend that love to our enemies. It is to serve others first. It is to give of ourselves for others to see Christ in us so they can find the love of God. The response to the love of God is to love others as we love ourselves.

John 13:34 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Romans 13:8 ESV

8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 John 4:11 ESV

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

John 15:13 ESV

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

We are called to respond to the gift we celebrate at Christmas. That response is to love others as ourselves. Can we ensure that this Holyday season that we do not loose sight of the promised messiah, his humble delivery, and his love that calls us to love as He did? Are you ready to have the most meaningful Christmas you have ever had? Before getting into the presents this year, we should all take time to consider the sacrifice of all involved in our salvation. Consider the Father who gave up His son for us undeserving sinners. Consider the sacrifice of Mary and Joseph who would lose their first born child to save the world, who would have to see their child hanging on a cross and beaten and tortured with no way to stop it. Consider the sacrifice of Christ who was willing to take on the sin of the world to show us how to love those around is. May all the symbols of Christmas remind us of the most important gift of all, Jesus Christ who has brought deliverance to our world. Maybe the presents will sit just a little longer under the tree as we ponder the amazing love that was poured out for us.