2022.12.18.For GOD so LOVED (Advent)
William Akehurst, HSWC
ADVENT: Hope, Preparation, Joy, LOVE
These past few weeks, We have examined Advent in light of being a faithful STEWARD of the Mysteries of GOD.
Today we will examine “LOVE”.
FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF GOD’S MYSTERIES….LOVE
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
SETTING OUR HEARTS TOWARD GOD, READY TO GIVE TESTIMONY OF THE HOPE IN US.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
WE FALL DOWN, BUT THROUGH CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE HE LIFTS US BACK UP
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Psalms 103:13-18 (NLT)
13 The LORD is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the LORD remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
18 of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments!
GOD SO ‘GREATLY’ LOVED HIS CREATION THAT HE MADE A WAY FOR REDEMPTION
John 3:16-21
16 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
LOVE DEMONSTRATED
Romans 5:8 (NKJV) 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
SELFLESS LOVE, THE GREATEST LOVE
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
SELFLESS LOVE TO US, THAT WE SHOULD GIVE TOWARDS OTHERS
1 John 3:16 (NLT) 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
LOVE IS OF GOD, AND THEREFORE WE LIVE IN AND EMBODY HIS LOVE
1 John 4:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
LOVE SO GREAT THAT WE ARE CALLED SONS OF GOD.
WHEN HE APPEARS, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM AND SEE HIM AS HE IS.
1 John 3:1-3
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
JESUS’ COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
THEY SHALL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS, BY OUR LOVE.
John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 John 3:23-24
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
GOD’S LOVE IS POURED INTO US BY HOLY SPIRIT
Romans 5:5 (NKJV) 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS
Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
BENEDICTION
2 Corinthians 13:11,14 (NKJV)
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
MY PRAYER
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
