11. The Advent of Love
11. The Advent of Love
1 John 4:9 ESV
“God is Love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”
Glory! That God’s love for mankind was made known to us through a child, a son who was given as a gift to a lost and broken world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. [John 3:16] We are separated and alienated from God by our sins. But God, in His boundless love, has made us sons and daughters, purchased and redeemed by love, to be with Him. And that love, the love of Christ, came to serve, not to be served. His love came to give, and not to receive. God’s love is a love that gives of itself at the highest cost for our benefit. The price God payed to love us is the blood of His only son. He paid it because He loves us. At this news, the heavens rejoice and the glory of God shines like brilliance in the heavens above. This is why we celebrate. This is why we give gifts. This is the good news.
Here is a clip from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, where Linus describes the shape of God’s love through the Christmas story:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.”[Luke 2:8-14 KJV]
So we receive this gift and rejoice in the savior who was born for us, to be with us. But this gift, this love offering, is not just for us but is meant to move through us and into others. What would it look like for this great news and gift of love that was given to us, to be given and shared to others? How can we receive the love of God through Christ and not share it with others? This week, reflect deeply on this question and respond in love towards others.
Scripture Reference:
1 John 4:8-21 NLT
“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.”
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean that “God is Love”?
- How does the passage from 1 John 4 tell us that we prove that we know God?
- Who is the “one another” referred to in 1 John 4?
- How is the coming of Jesus, the birth of God’s son, love?
- What are some practical ways you can show the world around you, in this Christmas season, the love of God which is found in Christ Jesus?
Assignment:
Write a journal entry on 1 John 4:8-21 explaining what you know or are understanding about God’s love and be prepared to share it with your group.
– Who is Love?
– What does love do for you?
-What did this love cost you?
– How are you going to respond to this love?