The Greatest Gift - 1 John 4:7-10

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.

PRAY - "Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.

"Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. "Let kindness saturate every greeting. "Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. "May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Your children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen!"

The Greatest Gift !

LOVE = mentioned 9 times in this pericope. Central theme of Scripture.

What is Love? - (Webster def) - strong affection for another arising out of kinship; maternal love for a child.

affection and tenderness demonstrated by a couple; through the years, they are still in love.

the object of attachment, devotion; sports was his first love

In english “LOVE “ is a flexible word. The Greek has 3 terms for "LOVE”...

1. Phileo (John 11-See how He loved him) 2. Eros (Song of Songs)

3. Agape - to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation and high regard.

So, while there are many ideologies surrounding this word “LOVE” I will focus on Agape Love, God’s Love, which is the Greatest Gift.

Since Love is an ACTION WORD there are several behaviors which can illustrate the meaning. I will focus on 3 based on today’s text.

The Greatest Gift is Demonstrated Through SHOWING -‘to make known, to make plain,

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world - I John 4:9b

Sent His Son on a rescue mission. TAKEN!

SHOWING - God made it plain that He loves us.

And wants us to SHOW His love towards others.

Not to show who we are, but to reveal who He IS.

The Greatest Gift is Demonstrated Through SERVING - "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” MT 20:28 PURPOSE.

How did Jesus SERVE? He served by Healing; Feeding; Delivering;

“I want to serve like Jesus!” AND we can. HOW? John 13 - washed (Massage) the feet - humility; care;

Central organs, lungs, kidneys, spinal column and stomach, are on both feet;

Liver, Gall Bladder, right side of colon, are on the right foot.

Spleen, Heart, on the left side are on the left foot;

the toes correspond with the brain.

Jesus illustrated how we, His servants, are to CARE for others. By washing the feet we care for THE WHOLE PERSON, Body, Soul, Mind.

God’s Greatest Gift is the motivation to SERVE Others.

The Greatest Gift is Demonstrated Through SACRIFICE

John 10:11 - “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

When darkness settled, danger lurked - The Good Shepherd don’t run. Sacrifice!

sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 4:10 - atonement = the reconciliation of God with humanity.

John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

How did Jesus lay down His life? He had to because they couldn’t take it.

John 18 - Soldiers fell at “I AM.”

Pilate goes back and forth.

Jesus admits who He is, God’s sent one; the King of kings.

Jesus told an irritated Pilate - “You have no power over ME!”

If you’ve had problems with SACRIFICE, you need to speak to that...

TELL MONEY - You have no power over me.

TELL TIME - You have no power over me.

TELL FEAR (INTROVERT) - You have no Power over me.

Because God has given ME the Greatest Gift…

CLOSE: The Greatest Gift is God’s LOVE!

LOVE That Shows (Up) - brings light into my dark times

Love that Serves - In humility; teaches me to serve others.

Love that Sacrifices - His life for mine; CALVARY.