Advent Week 4: Love - "Love: God’s gift to the World"
Introduction: Dear friends, as we approach the culmination of Advent, our focus turns to the greatest gift of all—love. The birth of Jesus embodies the purest form of love, a love that transcends human comprehension. Let's delve into the profound love found in the incarnation of Christ.
The Expression of God's Love:
1 John 4:9-10 (NLT) "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."
John's epistle beautifully captures the essence of God's love—a love so profound that it led to the sending of His Son for our redemption.
Colin Dye reminds us, "God's love is not based on what we do but on who He is."
Love Incarnate:
John 3:16 (NLT) "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
The incarnation of Jesus is the ultimate expression of divine love.
God's love took on human form to bring salvation to humanity.
Consider a parent sacrificing for a child. In Christ, we witness a sacrificial love that surpasses all, as God becomes man for our sake.
Responding to Love:
Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love."
The incarnation invites us into a relationship with a love that surpasses any challenge or trial. Our response is to embrace this love and share it with others.
Imagine a flame lighting another without diminishing its own. Such is the nature of God's love—it multiplies as we share it with others.
The fourth Advent candle symbolises the love that radiates from the manger — the love that embraces us and calls us into a transformative relationship.
Love's Transformative Power:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NLT) "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing."
Paul's words to the Corinthians highlight the transformative power of love. No matter our gifts or accomplishments, without love, we are empty vessels.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "Love is the queen of Christian graces, the brightest jewel in the regalia of the believer."
The Challenge of Genuine Love:
Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT) "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbour' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven."
Jesus challenges us to love beyond our comfort zones. Genuine love extends even to those who may seem unlovable.
Consider the story of Corrie ten Boom, who forgave her Nazi captors. Her act of love in the face of adversity exemplifies Christ's teachings.
The Cross as the Ultimate Symbol of Love:
Romans 5:8 (NLT) "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
The cross stands as the supreme symbol of God's love. Christ's sacrifice demonstrates the depth of His love for us, even in our fallen state.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."
Love in Action:
1 John 3:18 (NLT) "Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."
Love is not just a concept but a call to action. As Christians, our love should manifest in tangible ways, reflecting Christ's love for us.
Consider a ripple effect. Just as a pebble creates ripples in water, our acts of love can create positive impacts beyond what we can imagine.
The fourth Advent candle reminds us that our love, ignited by the love incarnate, is a beacon in the darkness, illuminating the way for others to experience the transformative power of God's love.
Conclusion:
May the transformative power of love, rooted in the love incarnate—Jesus Christ, guide our actions.
As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, let love be the hallmark of our lives, touching not only those close to us but extending to the world.
In a world hungering for genuine love, may we be bearers of the love incarnate—Jesus Christ, the gift that transforms everything. Amen.
A brief word of prayer to close
Heavenly Father
May the joy of the Saviour’s arrival permeate our lives, radiating to those around us as we celebrate the true source of joy.
In a world often searching for happiness in fleeting places, let us point to the enduring joy found in our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Lord God, help us to share the real message of Advent and Christmas with those around us. In your love help us to share the wonderful truth that Jesus is the light of the World, the Prince of Peace, the true source of joy, thank you that Jesus is love incarnate.
Amen
May the love incarnate in Jesus Christ be the guiding force in your life, compelling you to love others as you have been loved.
As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, let us remember that love came down at Christmas, and it continues to transform hearts today.
In a world hungering for genuine love, may we be bearers of the love incarnate—Jesus Christ, the gift that transforms everything. Amen.
God bless
