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Listen "Episode 121 - 2024 Christmas Advent Realities - Advent Love"
Episode Synopsis
2024 Christmas Advent Realities
Advent Love
John 3:16; 1 John 4:7
Where do we find love in the Christmas story? Hope, Joy, Peace, are in the proclamations and prophecies; but where is love? I woke up asking this question on Monday which caused me to do a search of the gospels to find out when is the first time the word LOVE shows up in each gospel – especially Matthew, Luke, and John as they are the writers who share bits of the Christmas story. But, in Matthew’s Gospel, ‘Love’ doesn’t appear until chapter 5 – The Sermon on the Mount – ‘You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemies’; And in Luke it is not until chapter 6 – in Adult Jesus’ parallel sermon on the plain – Love your enemies; So, what about John’s Gospel – John begins his gospel with the Deity of Christ – John 1:1, 14; but when is love first mentioned in his Gospel – Well, it is also where we find the answer to the question – ‘Where is Love in the Christmas
story?’ – Let’s look clearly at it in an all too familiar place – John 3:16 – For God so loved – It is God’s love that brings Jesus as our gift – and as John has already made clear Jesus is God; therefore, friends – Where is Love in the Christmas story? He is in the manger! Amen!
This extraordinary Good News that we celebrate at Christmas and, indeed, every day is …
1. You are loved by God!
a. Christmas proves it! John 3:16
b. The pronouncement – Good news of Great Joy – Luke 2:10-14
c. Jesus is a gift of love; given to save us – Luke 2:11; John 3:16
2. His Love empowers our Love!
a. 1 John 4:7-8
b. His initiative
3. His Love brings LIFE!
a. 1 John 4:9
b. His incarnation
4. His Love pays for our sin
a. 1 John 4:10
b. Satisfying the wrath of a Holy, Perfect God
c. Pardon – set free, but at what cost? For Justice to be satisfied the debt must be paid.
5. Our Love shows His Love
a. 4:11-16
b. To other believers
c. To a watching world
6. His Love gives us Confident Hope
a. V17-19
b. For the future Judgment
c. For the present life up to and including death
7. His Love holds us accountable
a. V20-21
b. You get this because the Midway Family is such a loving church!
8. Advent Love - His Love is the Reason for It All
a. God loves you! Personally, Individually, Specifically, and Lavishly
b. May you both experience and share His Perfect Love this Christmas!
Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:
Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692
Advent Love
John 3:16; 1 John 4:7
Where do we find love in the Christmas story? Hope, Joy, Peace, are in the proclamations and prophecies; but where is love? I woke up asking this question on Monday which caused me to do a search of the gospels to find out when is the first time the word LOVE shows up in each gospel – especially Matthew, Luke, and John as they are the writers who share bits of the Christmas story. But, in Matthew’s Gospel, ‘Love’ doesn’t appear until chapter 5 – The Sermon on the Mount – ‘You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemies’; And in Luke it is not until chapter 6 – in Adult Jesus’ parallel sermon on the plain – Love your enemies; So, what about John’s Gospel – John begins his gospel with the Deity of Christ – John 1:1, 14; but when is love first mentioned in his Gospel – Well, it is also where we find the answer to the question – ‘Where is Love in the Christmas
story?’ – Let’s look clearly at it in an all too familiar place – John 3:16 – For God so loved – It is God’s love that brings Jesus as our gift – and as John has already made clear Jesus is God; therefore, friends – Where is Love in the Christmas story? He is in the manger! Amen!
This extraordinary Good News that we celebrate at Christmas and, indeed, every day is …
1. You are loved by God!
a. Christmas proves it! John 3:16
b. The pronouncement – Good news of Great Joy – Luke 2:10-14
c. Jesus is a gift of love; given to save us – Luke 2:11; John 3:16
2. His Love empowers our Love!
a. 1 John 4:7-8
b. His initiative
3. His Love brings LIFE!
a. 1 John 4:9
b. His incarnation
4. His Love pays for our sin
a. 1 John 4:10
b. Satisfying the wrath of a Holy, Perfect God
c. Pardon – set free, but at what cost? For Justice to be satisfied the debt must be paid.
5. Our Love shows His Love
a. 4:11-16
b. To other believers
c. To a watching world
6. His Love gives us Confident Hope
a. V17-19
b. For the future Judgment
c. For the present life up to and including death
7. His Love holds us accountable
a. V20-21
b. You get this because the Midway Family is such a loving church!
8. Advent Love - His Love is the Reason for It All
a. God loves you! Personally, Individually, Specifically, and Lavishly
b. May you both experience and share His Perfect Love this Christmas!
Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:
Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692
In God we trust