ADVENT WEEK 4 "LOVE"

“Christmas: The Advent of Love”

1 John 2:7–11 LEB

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the message which you have heard. Again, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light already is shining. The one who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Jesus has come so that humanity might have Hope, Peace, Joy & Love.

People were created by God to be loved

And we will look for that love ANYWHERE that will give it. We were created with a LONGING to have, know & give LOVE. Will those around us find God’s love in us?

Because we were created to be loved - you can’t guilt us into love - we have to feel it

Love isn’t a lesson that is TAUGHT

Love is a reality that is CAUGHT

Received Given Felt

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is living for the good of another

1. Love gives sacrificially

a. John 3:16

b. Luke 15 - Prodigal Son - Father gives “all”

c. Love doesn’t ask “How much is enough?”

i. It gives to the point of excess

1. Diff. in wealth mindset and poverty mindset

a. Wealth - Yes.

b. Poverty - We won’t have enough.

c. “You cannot serve God AND mammon”

d. Illus. Pope Francis

1. 1st day - came out simply; given MILLIONS to the poor

2. 2nd day - Washed feet of criminals

2. Love forgives totally

a. I John 2:1-2 - He forgives EVERYONEwho comes to Him

2. He puts no qualifications on it

3. He washed JUDAS’S FEET

4. He went to Peter and redeemed him

b. John Newton - slave owner - Amazing Grace

c. St. Augustine - as fleshly as it gets

d. David Berkowitz - Son of Sam - A preacher in prison

e. Illus. Little old Lady - murdered husband - forgives murderer - saves him in prison - gives him husbands bible - disciples him

3. Love is life-giving continually

a. Affection-based obedience

1. Not fear or obligation based

b. Look at Jesus

1. Thousands RAN TO BE WITH HIM because He gave Life in His words and in His actions

c. Look at the Apostles/Disciples - same thing

d. Illus. TRANSFORMATION CHURCH - MIAMI, FL.

1. “If this is what it takes to reach my grandchildren, I will be the biggest supporter!”