Advent 2019 - LOVE

you hear the same question each year. Often each year the answer is different. when I was 6 it was the sears Christmas catalog, and the fun looking through the kids section. I can still smell the sent of the catalog paper. And the amazing toys the might put a slip of paper next to the item we wanted, and tell our parents about it.

How well you treat the person you can’t stand? (enemy)

We now that God gave us the best Christmas present ever.

Baby Jesus.

But has anyone thought about what Jesus wanted for Christmas? Can you imagin Father God asking Jesus in heaven long before the earth was created.

What do you want Son?

lean in close as we listen to Jesus answer.

John 17:24–26 NSFLB

24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 “O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Love AGAPE

the love of God the Father for Christ Jesus before the creation.

when jesus was baptised God the father called Him my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.

Can any son can hear better words from their Dad?

the love of God the Father for Christ JEsus before the creation. Can be in us, me , you all of us.

Jesus was obedient and loved His Father back.

vs 26 — That AMAZING LOVE Can be in us, me , you all of us.

Not just a mam-bee pam-bee love…

The Best Definition of Love

Do you help and serve in practical and tangible ways to those that could not pay you back?

Do you help the forgotten ones?

Direct and straight talk to against those that mislead people.

But was not resisting of those with authority over him. (put their by God). Martin Luther Jr.

Love Definition

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

God is LOVE.

This is not just a list of good ideas about how to get along with others. This is a picture of what God is like. It is a recipe for perfect Unity of Love. If you get this

Patient - waits patiently without blowing up in trying situations

Kind/Gentle - warmhearted and considerate, sympathetic

Not Envy - Not want to have what someone else advantages

Not boasting - not puffed up with pride and self-importance, instead gives honor truthfully to others.

Not Proud - puffed up with air beyond any fair estimate, yet not false modesty debasing self below the truth

not unbecoming - doing right in social situations - not rude, vulgar or inappropriate.

not self-seeking - not trying to reach your own selfish desires

not easily angered - not easily offended, stirred up emotionally or provoked. slow to anger.

not a score keeper - not keeping no record of wrongs or slights done. Water off a ducks back.

never being happy or excited about things done wrong. “I am so glad you do that to so now I don't feel bad about my failures”

instead

rejoicing in the truth, (corresponding to reality)

always (in every situation)

Bears (protects)

trust

hope

preserves

Love is not a pit

you can’t fall into true love.

Does this look like something you can “fall into”? just suddenly be hit with a gooey warm feeling and you start behaving this way consistently? No this described a very advanced form of love that is not lead by feelings. if it were...

you woud remember when your lover snubbed you.

you would boast about how good you are and put your best foot forward to get your love to llike you more.

if it were a feeling you would be doing this to feel good. and that is self-seeking.

If it were just a feeling you might be excited about doing something to short-cut gods Ways like sleeping together before your married.

If ti were a feeling then when the feeling leaves the love would be over. it would not ALWAYS protect, trust, hope or persevere

Feelings don't do that. Commitments made with your whole heart mind and strength, have the intention to do that. But inevitably our best is not good enough and we fail to love.

LOVE is more than feelings it is a decision for anthers best interest.

Jesus prays that that same love Be in US. as He is in us.

LOVE is more than feelings it is a decision for anthers best interest.

God has that committed deep beyond words and feelings love for His son Jesus. & Jesus prays that that same love be in us!. as He is in us.

you see GOD loves YOU. Not just when you nice, but even when your naughty. He is commited to your best interest.

Do you know His Love?

You may think you know it. But do you really?

His Love is Eternal Love from Everlasting to everlasting.

His Love is a Covenant Love standing strong and faithful even when we fall.

Do you know His love?

His Love is a merciful love showing mercy to thousands each time they repent He forgives freely and completely

His Love is a lavish love beyond the bounds of natural humanity.

His Love is a Holy free love, separate from all ulterior motives. A holy righteousness love that has never been selfish or twisted.

His Love is consistent, just and kind, gentle and strong, never failing.

Do you know His love?

His Love is the Love of a Father that will love patiently while his children reject him in their dark times. Praying for them, waiting for them, looking for them, and running to them when they decide to return. And celebrating with them when they enter the family home again.

His Love is the love of a Husband, passionate, protective, and comforting —

Do you know His love?

His Love is the is love that loves you on your bad days as well as you good days, looking past the skin to the heart within.

His love will discipline when needed.

His love will comfort when needed.

Do you know His love?

His is for Israel and His love is for the Church.

This is God's love for the entire world. He wants all to chose to life with Him. But loves them enough to let them decide freely.

Do you know His love?

Knowing His love is greatest transformative experience humanity has ever seen.

His Love transforms Addicts into free and whole individuals.

His Love transforms DEADBEATS into responsible productive Citizens

Do you know His love?

His love mends the Murderer,

restores the Adulterer,

frees the fornicator,

His love changes the cheaters

covers the clepto,

AND ransoms the traitor,

His love ransoms the traitor,

His love repossesses the thief,

restores the wretched,

AND embraces the despised,

His love lavishes attention on the forgotten

brings meaning to the useless.

gives sight to the blind,

freedom to the captive

AND life to the dead,

Do you know His love?

His love gives. It does not take.

His love waits. It does not rush.

His love protects. It does not attack.

His love respects. It does not condemn.

His love always Hopes always Trusts, always Perseveres.

His love will never fail.

Do you know His love?

His love Transforms

1 John 4:7–5:5 NIV

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Application Questions

what does God want me to think about the passage?

what does God want me to believe?

what does God want me to Desire?

What does God want me to do?

The Christian and God’s Love

Ephesians 3:14–19 NSFLB

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Pentz, C. M. (1975). Sermon Outlines for Christians (pp. 36–37). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Sermon Outlines for Christians 21. The Christian and God’s Love (Ephesians 3:7–19; John 3:16)

Ephesians 3:7–19; John 3:16

It is so critical for us to know the Love of GOD. It is transforming.

It is critical for us to know the Love of GOD.

It is transforming.

Ephesians 3:7–19 NIV

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:7–19 NIV

Ephesians 3:14–19 NIV

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Do you know His love? It is more than an Emotion.

Do you know His love? It surpasses knowledge. you can know about it, you can experience it, but it goes beyond mere knowledge. It is not a human thing.

Do you know His love? It is Jesus riches that will strengthen and empower you in the Holy spirit. Power ==> Dynamis through His Spirit!

Power ==> Dynamis through His Spirit!

Do you know His love? It starts by inviting him to dwell in your Heart as GOD.

Do you know His love? You must be ROOTED in it.

fixed in the ground, securely fastened by growing over time into the depth of the rich soil of his LOVE. intimacy as the roots entwine ever deeper sucking in vital nutrients form the WORD of God

Do you know His love? You must be ESTABLISHED in it. Settled in a firm foundation laid and set for a long enduring period of growth becoming strong and wise.

a firm foundation laid and set for a long enduring period of growth becoming strong and wise.

Do you know His love? it is 4 dimensional. WIDE, LONG, HIGH, and DEEP.

How much does GOD love you?

This much - ARMS wide open!

John 3:16 NIV

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

You can see the WIDTH, LENGTH, DEPTH and HEIGHT of God’s love for us in this verse.

THE WIDTH OF GOD’S LOVE

I. THE BREADTH OF GOD’S LOVE

“For God so loved the world.”

Powerful love—. He has loved man with an everlasting love. Before man was born, God loved him. His love never ends!

Jeremiah 31:3 NSFLB

3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Patient love—. While we were still in sin, He loved us!

Romans 5:8 NSFLB

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

Pardoning love—. Loved us, and quickened us while still living in sin.

Ephesians 2:4–5 NSFLB

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Perfecting love—. Made sons of God through His love.

1 John 3:1 NSFLB

1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

THE LENGTH OF GOD’S LOVE

II. THE LENGTH OF GOD’S LOVE

“That he gave His only begotten Son.”

Praying Son—. Jesus gave a son who prayed! Remember the Prayer of dedication in the Garden before his death shows the power of prayer that entourages you to do the toughest things for God.

Luke 22:39–46 NSFLB

39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

Peaceful Son—. Jesus gives peace. See .

Perfecting Son—. He healed all the sick.

Poor Son—. Though rich, He became poor.

Popular Son—. Jesus made king.

Purging Son—, . His blood cleanses.

Powerful Son—. Christ overcame death! He is alive, and because He is alive, we too shall live—.

THE DEPTH OF GOD’S LOVE

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish.” Of all the words in the Bible, the word “whosoever” is perhaps the greatest. It includes all! The rich, poor, young, old, ignorant, intelligent, black, white, red, yellow, etc.

Requirement—. Something to do—calling upon the name of the Lord. We must be willing to confess our sins—.

Romans 10:13 NSFLB

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Reception—. Christ turns none away. All who sincerely call upon Him will be accepted.

John 6:37 NSFLB

37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

Repentance—. It is God’s plan that none be lost. He wants all to repent and be saved!

2 Peter 3:9 NSFLB

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

IV. THE HEIGHT OF GOD’S LOVE

THE HEIGHT OF GOD’S LOVE

“But have everlasting life.”

Provision for this life— Christ’s suffering and death brings to man eternal life. Man should die for his sins. However, Christ took our hell upon the cross.

Isaiah 53:5 NSFLB

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Purpose of this life—. The thief comes to kill steal and destroy. Jesus comes to give life. a FULL life. A life with purpose and meaning.

John 10:10 NSFLB

10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Promise of this life—. Though dead, yet we have eternal life in Christ—.

John 11:25–26 NSFLB

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Whats Love Got to do With It?

Love I think you have seen is no cheap second hand emotion.

What does love have to do with your life?

How well do you treat the person you can’t stand? (enemy)

Do you help and serve in practical and tangible ways to those that could not pay you back?

Do you help the forgotten ones?

Do you stand up and give direct and straight talk to against those that mislead people?

Do you resist the Law and those in authority? (put their by God). When the stakes are High and your fighting evil, you can be tempted to break the law to get your rights. Civil rights leader Martin Luther Jr. knew that they had to follow the laws, or they would he would be leading a rebellion, and be siding with witches and worlocks.

Love has everything to do with it… and we need to GROW in it

ROOTED and ESTABLISHED

Our Response to His Love

The Effects of Love

Sermon Outlines for Christians 21. The Christian and God’s Love (Ephesians 3:7–19; John 3:16)

21. The Christian and God’s Love

Ephesians 3:7–19; John 3:16

I. THE BREADTH OF GOD’S LOVE

“For God so loved the world.”

A. Powerful love—Jeremiah 31:3. He has loved man with an everlasting love. Before man was born, God loved him. His love never ends!

B. Patient love—Romans 5:8. While we were still in sin, He loved us!

C. Pardoning love—Ephesians 2:4–5. Loved us, and quickened us while still living in sin.

D. Perfecting love—1 John 3:1. Made sons of God through His love.

II. THE LENGTH OF GOD’S LOVE

“That he gave His only begotten Son.”

A. Praying Son—Luke 22:39–46. Prayer of dedication.

B. Peaceful Son—John 14:27. Jesus gives peace. See Isaiah 9:6.

C. Perfecting Son—Matthew 8:6. He healed all the sick.

D. Poor Son—2 Corinthians 8:9. Though rich, He became poor.

E. Popular Son—Matthew 21:1–15. Jesus made king.

F. Purging Son—Hebrews 9:22, 1 John 1:7. His blood cleanses.

G. Powerful Son—Matthew 28:1–18. Christ overcame death! He is alive, and because He is alive, we too shall live—John 11:25–26.

III. THE DEPTH OF GOD’S LOVE

A. Requirement—Romans 10:13. Something to do—calling upon the name of the Lord. We must be willing to confess our sins—1 John 1:9.

B. Reception—John 6:37. Christ turns none away. All who sincerely call upon Him will be accepted.

C. Repentance—2 Peter 3:9. It is God’s plan that none be lost. He wants all to repent and be saved!

IV. THE HEIGHT OF GOD’S LOVE

“But have everlasting life.”

A. Provision for this life—Isaiah 53:5. Christ’s suffering and death brings to man eternal life. Man should die for his sins. However, Christ took our hell upon the cross.

B. Pleasure of this life—John 10:10. What enjoyable life the child of God has and enjoys!

C. Promise of this life—John 11:25–26. Though dead, yet we have eternal life in Christ—John 5:24.

we got to love one another now...

1 John 4:7–5:5 NIV

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Application Questions

& —> GOD is LOVE

His love is perfectly expressed within the Trinity pp pp See also ; ; ; ;

It is eternal See also ; ; ; ,

Characteristics of God’s love

It is eternal See also ; ; ; ,

It is a covenant love See also pp ; ; pp ; ;

It is lavish See also ; ; ; ;

It is holy and just See also ; ;

God as a father: ; ; ; ;

Images of God’s love

God as a father: ; ; ; ;

God as a husband: ; ;

Application Questions

what does God want me to think about the passage?

what does God want me to believe?

what does God want me to Desire?

What does God want me to do?

What does Jesus want for Christmas?

what DO you want for Christmas?

To know the love of God through the POWER of the Spirit.

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