Christmas 2021 Message 4 Love

Christmas 2021

Message 4

God’s Great Love

Me:

See if you know this verse?

John 3:16 quote it

Do know John 3:16?

No, I don’t

I confess I was a little taken back

How does someone not know John 3:16?

There are lots of people in this world that don’t

I get asked from time to time why we do certain things

I rarely use the KJV

I want to worship service to be an hour

Practical sermons – Message notes – Scripture on the screen

Short on announcements

I never pick new people out (you shouldn’t either)

For the people that never heard of John 3:16

We:

What is Christmas?

Santa – gifts – food – Christmas trees – Christmas movies

Stress at work – grumpy co-workers – exhaustion

The nativity – wisemen - shepherds – baby Jesus

We can lose sight of the real meaning.

If you google the definition

The annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on December 25 in the Western Church.

"I have such happy childhood memories of decorating the house for Christmas"

Worship is the key to keeping it in focus

I want to show you the story of John 3:16

I think some people have the impression that Jesus taught this in a crowd

It was a one-on-one conservation

God:

Nicodemus

You must be born again

Jesus goes right to the heart of the matter

And it is a matter of the heart

John 3:1–17 (ESV) — 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Here’s the Christmas story

God’s great love John 3:16

God so loved us – God loves every person, not just the religious and the good.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

The proof of that love? – God gave his only son – birth to death – to live among fallen people

The incarnation changed everything. No longer could man look to the sky and scream " You don't know how hard it is down here ". He knows how hard it is to be us, because He became one of us !!!

The rest of the world's religions believe it's blasphemy to say that a Holy God would walk our dirty streets, have a sore back be bullied, and be put to death by His own creation.

John 15:13 NIV

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

The purpose of God’s Love. – For whoever believes –

Romans 10:9 CSB

9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The Incarnation – v:17 “God sent his Son into the world”

Luke 2:11 NIV

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Salvation through Christ alone– It’s the Christmas story

John 3:17 NIV

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Underline “Save the world through him”

You:

What will you do with Jesus?

Savior – Lord?

Believers worship him

Do you know him as savior?

Just image

Don’t lose sight of the mission

Metropolis needs Jesus

You are it

It’s only through Jesus that a person can be saved

We can feed their stomachs

But man does not live by bread alone