The Coming Of Christ Brings Me Love

The Coming of Christ Brings Me Love

John 1:35-42

CHRISTMAS TOP TEN QUIZ

SLIDE 1: Introduction

SLIDE 2: Series of Advent

SLIDE 3: Christmas Traditions

Q1: What are some traditions you have at Christmas?

Christmas is really about Jesus Christ. While there are many other celebrations during this time, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. Love came into the world. Since Jesus came into the world, and we are taking time to celebrate that event this week, I thought I would like to share with you some thoughts about Jesus Christ and His love for you.

SLIDE 4: Love came into the world and He invites you to join Him

Christ loves me by inviting me to experience life with Him.

The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.

(John 1:37 HCSB)

This is the first reason that Jesus Christ loves you. Jesus doesn’t love you for who you are. Jesus loves you because He wants you to be His.

Christmas is not about you and the gifts you get. Christmas is about honoring Christ for the gift He wants for Himself. Christ invites you to follow Him because He wants you to be with Him.

But there is a reason behind the motive. Christ wants you to be with Him because He is the only One who can show you how to love. Notice, that Jesus asks them: What are you searching for?

SLIDE 5: What are you searching for?

When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are You staying?"

(John 1:38 HCSB)

Jesus knows our motives. He knows when someone is really searching. They are searching for meaning, for love, for significance. These people knew that Jesus was the answer to everything they were looking for.

SLIDE 6: Jesus is the Answer to Our Search

He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah!" (which means "Anointed One"),

(John 1:41 HCSB)

One of these two guys goes home and tells his brother what he has found. Jesus is not just the “Messiah” or the “Anointed One”. Jesus was the “One” these people were looking for.

He had the answers to all of the life’s problems. He was the love that they were seeking. He was the person who showed who God was. If God is love, and Jesus was God, then they would really find the love they needed.

How is Jesus the love that they needed? Because in order to live life as God wants you to, you need the love that only God can supply to help you life.

Love is the oxygen for your life atmosphere that you breathe.

Without it, you will start to suffocate.

Love is the fuel that helps you run in your life race.

Without it, life will run right past you, and you will never finish like a winner.

Love is the food that feeds your soul.

Without it, you will start to feel empty inside.

Love is the glue that holds your relationships.

Without it, your life can start to break apart.

Related to this first truth is this point:

Q2: How do you plan to love Christ (by remembering Christ) in your Christmas traditions?

Christ loves me by letting someone suggest to me that I should follow Him.

Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look! The Lamb of God!"

(John 1:35-36 HCSB)

But the love that Jesus shows you doesn’t stop there. The love that Jesus shares with you will bring you to a life that He wants you to live.

SLIDE 7: Jesus Loves Me for Life

Christ loves me by showing me who He wants me to be.

and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He said, "You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which means "Rock").

(John 1:42 HCSB)

Jesus showed Simon Johnson something very important when Jesus gave Him a new name. Simon would become Peter. Peter is a Greek name. Simon would go from being around Jews to reaching out to Gentiles.

He would overcome cultural barriers. He would suffer hardships. He would experience wonders.

SLIDE 8: Christ’s Love Changes Me

There are many other examples of this in the Bible:

David, the shepherd boy, would become a king.

Moses, the prince of Egypt, would become a travel guide and shape a new nation.

Abraham, the son of an idol maker, would be the father of nations.

Peter, the fishing businessman, would be the first great evangelist in history.

Q3: What dream has Christ shown you about who He wants you to be? How have you seen Him change you to get you there?