Love Incarnate
Mark 15:21-37
Sermon Objective: Christ’s death is evidence of his all-encompassing love for humankind; it is intended to stir the congregation to remember that Jesus loves them!
Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12; John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 3:17-19; Philippians 2:5-8
INTRO
Jesus’ death is God saying that the way is open to us despite the attitudes we so frequently have had toward him. As Charles Wesley expressed it in his hymn:
’Tis mystery all! Th’ immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God shouldst die for me.
21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
25 It was the third hour when they crucified him.
26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27 They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.
29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,
30 come down from the cross and save yourself!”
31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!
32 Let this Christ, 75 this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
LOVE INCARNATE
Yes, indeed. Jesus’ death is God saying that the way is open to us despite the attitudes we so frequently have had toward him.
In the movie, August Rush, Freddie Highmore plays a young boy (August Rush) who is separated from his parents and desperately wants to be reunited. Robin Williams plays "Wizard" Wallace a man of the streets who exploits homeless children’ artistic talents from profit.
Wizard asks young August the question that often serves as his hook, "In all the world, what do you want the most?"
August’s answer? "Found."
To be found … that is the quest of humankind and that is what Jesus’ love on the cross provides for us all.
In a very real way Jesus Christ is the embodiment of love. He is love incarnate … love in flesh. Every action and every thought are exhibitions of God’s love … Agapé.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17, KJV)
Agapé is a term most Christians have heard from time to time. We know it as “Divine Love” in contrast to human love. We know it as sacrificial love. But there are other aspects to Agapé love that, when understood, expand just how much God loves us to such a depth that it is indeed overwhelming and incomprehensible. As the apostle said: “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, 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 3:17b-19).
I have catalogued at least 8 core characteristics that describe and define Godly Love. I am not going to give them all to you this morning but there are a few that, in light of the cross, seem appropriate.
But first – let’s sing a song. It’s hymn #738 in the hymnal … but you don’t need a hymnal for it … It’s “Jesus Loves Me.”
1. God’s Love (Agapé) is FIDUCIARY
Fiduciary comes from the Latin word for faith. It describes relationships like those between child and parent, doctor and patient. Fiduciary relationships are between a knowledgeable and beneficent protector and a beneficiary who is unequaled in power, and who has placed a trust / confidence in that protector. Such a relationship requires one to act at all times for the sole benefit and interests of another, with loyalty to those interests. It is not a relationship between equals … one holds all the cards and yet serves on behalf of the other without personal benefit.
In English common law a fiduciary must show the highest standard of care, and is expected to be extremely loyal, with no other conflicting commitments.
If there has ever been a genuine fiduciary love relationship it must be Christ on the cross. It is here that he saved others completely at His own expense. It is here that he cried out “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) even while suffering at dying at their hands.
Fiduciary love is God doing all the work on your behalf. There is nothing we could add to the equation … only Jesus’ life and sacrifice could reconcile us to God.
1. Divine love (Agapé), is FIDUCIARY.
2. God’s Love (Agapé) is UNRESERVED
That is, it does not hold anything back. There is a totality, an all-encompassing aspect to Divine love.
The New Testament speaks of Divine love as “self-emptying” … it pours itself out. In Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV) we read:
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
God’s love spares no expense and keeps nothing in reserve. In Christ’s crucifixion we see love, emptying itself out for the welfare of humankind without consideration for it’s own personal well-being … in fact, it is at the cost of it own wellbeing.
WRAP-UP
1. Divine love (Agapé), is FIDUCIARY.
2. God’s Love (Agapé) is UNRESERVED
3. God’s Love (Agapé) is VOLUNTARY
Agape love is a choice God has made.
God’s love need not be earned, bought, pleaded for, bargained for, wished for, or manipulated. Simply put it is already in place.
YOU ARE LOVED!
Love can only be seen by the choices and actions it makes. God’s love is seen in the willing gift of His Son.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)
Sir John Templeton once said, “God’s love is given to us not because we deserve it. In fact, most likely when we need love the most is when we are most unlovable. Worthiness is not a prerequisite to receive the benefit or grace.” (Pure Unlimited Love)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17, KJV)
The quest of humankind is indeed to be “found.” Thank God for the redemptive love He has shown in Christ.
Let’s close by watching the following video, “I Wonder.”
This Sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
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Children’s Sermon: God’s Love
Ephesians 3:17b-19
Sermon Objective: To show God’s love is capable of embracing everyone without rations or exclusions.
Sermon props: Glass that is half full of water and some marbles.
Good morning everyone! It is so good to see you today! I just love meeting with you all … in fact, I just love you all period!!!!
Speaking of love, I have been thinking a lot about God’s love these days. He loves us all so much.
Some people sadly think that maybe God does not love them. They think that they are too bad or something and that God does not want anything to do with them. I hope you do not think like that because God does indeed love all of us and he wants us to know it! The Bible says: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, 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 3:17b-19)
God has plenty of love to go around. Let me see if I can illustrate that to you.
I have a glass with some water in it. This marble in my hand represents you and the water in the glass represents God’s love. If I place you in the glass of water you are surrounded by God’s love. But look, there is still room for more marbles isn’t there? So let’s say I take some more marbles and put them in here. This one may represent your family, this one represents your friends. This one represents your class mates at school or day care. This one represents your church family. We could go on and on and you see … all of them are surrounded by God’s love. And remember … God is much much bigger than this small glass with water! God’s love is big enough for everyone!
I am going to give you a marble today. When you think about this marble I want you to think about how much God loves you okay?
Let’s pray together!
This Children’s Sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
