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Theme:ThePromiseofChristmas“Love-GodSoLovedtheWorld”

SermonpreachedbyJeffHuber–December9-10,2017

Scripture:John3:16-17

VIDEO SermonIntro

SLIDE “Love–GodSoLovedtheWorld”

Pleasetakeoutofyourbulle/nyourMedita/onMomentsandMessageNotes.YouwillfindtheScriptureslistedatthetopandtheplacetotakenotesifyouwouldliketowritethingsdownthatyouwanttorememberandreflectuponinthedaysandweeksahead.IbelievethattheHolySpiritspeakstouswhenwegatherforworship,andifyouhearsomethingyoufeelisjustforyou,Ihopeyouusethatspacetowriteitdown.Ifyou’rewatchingathomeoronline,youcandownloadthisresourcerightoffthewebsite.Youwillfindcon/nuedthereandonthebackside,dailyScripturereadingsthat/ebackintotoday’smessage,andthethemesoflightanddarknesswhichwewillbelookingattogether.IthinkifyoureadtheBibleonyourownthisweek,itwillhelpthisseasonofAdventbecomemoremeaningful.

DuringtheseasonofAdvent,whichisthefourweeksbeforewegettoChristmas,wereflectuponnotonlythebirthofJesusbuthissecondcoming.Eachweekwefocusonadifferenttheme.LastweekwebeganwithhopeandtheideathatwefindhopewithJesusbeingthelightenteringthedarknessofourworld.Nextweekwewilltalkaboutjoyandwhatitmeanstofindouriden/tyinJesusChrist.Todayourthemeislove,andIwanttosuggesttoyouthatthisthemeofloveisthemo/va/onbehindChristmasandthemissionwearecalledtobecauseofChristmas.Todothat,wewilllookataScripturepassagethatmanyofushaveheardbeforeandmanyofuslearnedaschildren.It’sapassagethatweseeheldupintheendzoneatfootballgames

SermonpreachedbyJeffHuber–December9-10,2017 Page ! 1

andweseeliQedupinmanyplacesinourworld,John3:16.

Let’srememberthattheword“love”meansdifferentthingsatdifferent/mesandindifferentcontexts.“Makinglove,”isdifferentthan,“fallinginlove.”Being“inlove”withyourspouseisdifferentthan“lovingyourneighbor.”Lovingyourparentsisdifferentthanlovingthenewalbumbyyourfavoritear/st.Wehavedifferentwaysoftalkingaboutandusingthewordlove.Some/mes,lovemeansaffec/onandawarmfeeling,whichistruecaretowardsanotherhumanbeing.Some/mes,lovedescribesthefeelingwhichmakesourheartbeatfasterandourpalmsgetsweaty.Some/mes,loveisadeepandabidingfeelingwehaveforafriendoramemberofourfamily.Some/mes,loveissimplyaboutthecolorofacar,orgeYngsomethingyoureallywantatChristmas.

Some/mes,loveisanactofthewill.Itisadecisionthatwemaketodosomethinglovingforsomeoneelse.Todaywearegoingtorecognizethesetwodifferentwaysofunderstandinglove.Lovecanbeafeelingoranemo/on,andanac/onordecisionofthewill.IwouldarguethatweseeboththingshappeningatChristmasandintheChristmasstory.

Ibelievethateverysingleoneofusneedslove.Wearebornneedinglove.Needingtobelovedispartofthehumanpsychefromthe/meweareborn,andindeed,it’spartofbeingamammal.

GRAPHIC Jack

OneofthenewestmembersofourfamilyisJack.YoumayrememberhimfromthesermonserieswedidondogsbackinJune.Fromthe/mewegotJack,helovestobearoundpeopleandhelovestobetouched.Theminuteyouopenthebedroomdoorinthemorning,heisrighttheretryingtonuzzlehisheadagainstyourlegs.Andasyourstandingaround,Jackwillliterallys/ckhisheadbetweenyourlegsandsitthereun/lyoupethim.Whenheseesnewpeople,hehasthishorriblehabitofjumpinguponthem,especiallyiftheyareyoung,becausehelovestoplayandforpeopletopaya\en/ontohim.

GRAPHIC Joey


OurotherdogJoey,whinesincessantlywhenyouarrivehomeun/lyoupetorfeedhim.Whenyouareonthecouchorthebed,hewilljumpupandliterallytrytos/ckhismouthinyourfaceandcrawlunderthecoverswithyouifyoulethim.

Wheninfantsarefirstborn,theydesperatelywantsomeonetoholdthem.Ifyouputthemdownwhentheyareawake,theyoQenwillcryun/lyoupickthemup.Thesensa/onofbeingheld,therefore,isnaturalforhumanstohaveatbirthandasweage.Welongtofeeltheembraceofanotherhumanbeing.Aswegrow,wehavetheneedtonotonlyreceivelove,buttogivelove.Thereisnothingbe\erthanthepi\erpa\erofli\lefeetrunningtogreetyou,withtheirhandsoutstretched.Ourkidslearnedtogiveandreceivebu\erflykisses.ChildrenlovetoholdyourhandandgivehugsandhighfivesandknucklebumpsandevenEskimokisses.Theseareallwaysofexpressingandreceivingloveanditcanmeltourhearts.

Weallarebornneedingtobeloved,everyoneofus.Evenwhenwemovedintotheteenageyears,wes/llwanttoknowourparentsloveus,butwearen’talwaysinterestedinshowingthat.ThereisthisshiQwhichhappenswhenwes/llwanttoknowthatourparentsloveus,butwealsoneedourpeersaffec/onanda\en/onaswell.OneofthemovementswehaveseeninourcultureoverthelastseveralyearsisthegrowthofthingslikeInstagramandSnapchat.Idon’thaveInstagramorSnapchatbecauseI’mtooold,butIwasintriguedbysomethingIreadthisweek.Iwaslookingataninterviewofseveralninth-gradegirlstalkingabouthowtheywilltakeapictureofthemselves,postitandthenwaittoseehowpeoplerespond.Willpeopleliketheirsweaterorthinktheyarepre\y?Whattheynotedisthatiftheydidn’tgetenoughpeoplelikingtheirpictureorsayingsomethingniceaboutthem,theywouldbegintofeelinsecure.Thisisaninstantformofaffirma/on,valida/onandfeedback.Here’soneexampleofthisonYouTubethatmightgiveyouasenseforhowthisworks.

VIDEO WhyDoesn’tAnyoneLikeMe

Thatmightseemabitextreme,buttheideaofseekingfeedbacktobuildourself-esteemisahumanstruggle.Whilewemightlookuponthatwholevideoandthinkit’ssilly,weadultsdothesamethingandwedidit


whenwewereteenagers.Backthen,wedidn’thavesocialmedia,butwes/llhadtelephones.IknowsomeofyoufindithardtobelievetheyhadtelephoneswhenIwasakid,butwedid.Someofthemwererotaryphoneswhichiswherethedialwentaroundinacircle.Rememberthat?Wecallthem“classic”phonestoday.

WhenIwasakid,wewouldtakethetelephonereceiverandwrapitinasocktodisguiseourvoice.Thenwewouldcallupthegirlthatwelikedandwouldaskherinaverylowvoicetoratethefollowingfiveboysthatwewouldname,from1to5.Ifshegaveyouaonethatwashorriblebutifshegaveyouafive,youwereoncloudnineanditmadeyourday.Some/meswepassednotesinclassorhadsecretValen/nes.

Eventoday,ifyou’reolderanduseFacebook,doyoueverpostapictureorsomecommentandthengobackandlookandseehowmany“likes”yougot?Youcandoa“thumbsup”imageora“heart.”Youcanevendoa“brokenheart.”Allofusarelookingforaffirma/oninsomewayoranother-thatweareokay,thatwearelovableandthatsomebodylikesus.

Someofusgrewupinhomeswherewedidn’texperiencethis;wedidn’texperiencetheloveofaparentthatwassteadyandconstant.Wewerelovedonlyifwedidsomethinggood,ormaybenotevenloveditall,noma\erhowgoodwewere.MaybeyouhadaparentthatlovedyouforawhileandthentheyleQandweren’tpartofyourlifeanymore.Thiskindofexperiencecancreatepain,andwecanendupsearchingforloveinallthewrongplaces.Wearewillingtodowhateverittakestogetpeopletolikeusandtoreceivelove.Thisishowstrongtheimpulsetobelovedgoes,andifwes/lldon’treceiveitwewillbegintoshutoffandsealoffthatpartofourheartthatneedslove.Whenwesealoffthepartofourheartwhichneedstobeloved,wefindtragicbrokennesswhichcanlashoutandcauseunspeakablepainandhurtinothers.

Therewasapastorinalargercitywhohadayoungboyinhiscongrega/onthatwaskilledingangviolence.Thepastordecidedtocalltogetherbothgangsandfamiliesforavigilatthesiteofthemurder.Hesentnotesouttokidsintheyouthgroupwhoknewkidsinrivalgangsandtohissurprise,kidsfrombothgangsshowedup.Thispastorwasinhis50s,likeme,


andhewaspre\ynervousastheyallbegantoshowup.Heknewthatsomeofthemhadgunsandkniveswiththemastheycametothevigil,andhewasanxiousaboutwhatmighthappen.Ashelookedaroundacrossthecandlelitfaces,herecognizedthatmostofthesekidswereyoungenoughtobehiskidsandwereallunder18.Theyweremostlyteenagerswithafewintheirearly20s.HerecognizedoneyoungmanwhosedadhadleQwhenhewasababy.Herecognizedanotherwhowasconstantlybeatenbyhisdadwhenhewasakid.Therewereotherswhoseparentswereemo/onallyabsent.

Hesaidhewasfinallymovedtosaysomethingthathehadn’tplannedtosay.Helookedatthecrowdgathered,andhesaid,“Ijustwanttoapologizeonbehalfofyourdads.Iamsosorrythatyourdadsandsomeofyourmomswerenotthereforyou.I’msosorryforsomeofthepainyouexperiencedfromyourparentsthatwerearound.”Hebegantoweepashelookedattheseyoungpeople,andsoongangmembersbegantoweepandfalltotheirknees.Theabsenceoflovehadledthemtotheplacewheretheywerekillingoneanotherasteenagersonthecitystreets.

Eachoneofus,ashumanbeingscreatedintheimageofGod,needslove.TheScripturesteachusaboutthelovethatGodhasforus,evenifnootherhumanbeingcaresforus.IwanttofocusontheloveofGodbecauseIbelieveitistheloveofGodwhichmo/vatedthatfirstChristmas.IntheHebrewBible,wefindtwoprimarywordsthattalkaboutlove,andtheyareoQenusedtodescribeGod.

SLIDE ahav=emoOonallove

WehavedifferentmetaphorsintheBibletodescribeGod’sloveforus.Thislove,ahav,isanemo/onalkindoflovethatGodhasforus,likewhentheBibletalksaboutGodlovinguslikeahusbandloveshiswife.Some/mes,thescripturestalkaboutGodasaheavenlyparentwholoveshischildren,anditisthiskindoflovewhichisdescribedinthisword.WefindthisintheHebrewprophetHosea,chapter11(NRSV).

BIBLE 1“WhenIsraelwasachild,Ilovedhim,andoutofEgyptIcalledmyson…4Iledthemwithcordsofhumankindness,withbandsoflove.IwastothemlikethosewholiKinfantstotheircheeks.Ibentdowntothemandfedthem.


ThisisthepicturewehaveoftheloveofGod,theaffec/onatekindoflove,likeaparentholdinganinfant.IhaveoQensaidthatIhavelearnedmoreaboutGodbybeingasonandabrotherandahusbandandafatherthanIeverdidinseminary.Wefeelthisintenseloveforanotherinthosemostin/materela/onships,andarewillingtogiveourlivesforthatperson.ThisiswhattheScripturesareteachinguswhenittalksaboutGod’sloveforhischildren.

SLIDE hesed=“lovingkindness”

Wehavelearnedthiswordtogetheronmanyoccasions,andthewordthatIhopemanyofyouhavememorized.HeseddescribesGod’s“covenantlove.”Itisalovewhichispromisedandisnotinmo/on,butadetermina/ontodothelovingthing.It’slovingkindnesswhichseekstocareforanotherpersonanddothebestbythem.Some/mesitiscalledGod’s“steadfastlove.”Thisisthekindoflovethatwecallpeopletodointhemarriageceremony.WhenImeetwithcouplesbeforetheygetmarried,IremindthemthattheyarenotcommiYngtobemadlyinlovewitheachotherfortherestoftheirlives.That’snotthepromisetheymakeintheweddingceremonybecausethat’snotpossible.Wearenotalwaysabletobemadlyinlovewitheachother.Therewillbemomentswheretheyarenotinlovewitheachotheratallandwheretheymightevenfalloutoflovewitheachother.Thereare/meswhenwemakeeachothercrazyandthatcanbemaddening!

Iaskthemtotellmeiftheyhaveexperiencedthatyet,ifthereweremomentsintheirda/ngrela/onshipwheretheydidn’tfeellovefortheother,buttheys/llchosetoloveeachother.ThecouplesIreallyworryaboutaretheoneswhosay,“No,wehaveneverexperiencedthat.Wearemadlyinlovewitheachotherallthe/me.”Iworryaboutthosecouplesbecausethatisnotreality,onceyougetmarried.Wehaveseasonswhereitishardertobe“inlove”witheachotherandwedon’talwaysfeellovefortheotherperson.IremindthemthatduringthemarriageceremonyIwillbeaskingthem,astheystandbeforeGodandthosewhocometogethertocelebratetheirmarriage,tochoosetodothelovingthingforeachotherevenwhentheydon’tfeellikeit;tohaveandtoholdeachother,fromthisdayforward,forbe\er,forworse,forricher,forpoor,insicknessandinhealth,toloveandtocherishun/ltheyarepartedbydeath.“Toloveandtocherish,”isnotanSermonpreachedbyJeffHuber–December9-10,2017 Page ! 6

emo/on,butanac/on.ItisawayofpuYngtheneedsoftheotherbeforeourown,byblessingandencouragingthem.Itisadetermina/onthatwearegoingtoloveandchoosetodothat.

Ifwewillconsistentlydothatover/me,wewillfindthateveninthoseseasonswherewefalloutoflove,wearesustainedandeventuallythefeelingsreturn,becausewehaveprac/cedlove.That’swhathesedlookslikeaspeopleoffaith,andthisiswhatGod’slovetowardsuslookslike.Godiscommi\edtousanddecidestoloveus.Over200/mesintheHebrewBiblewereadthatGodhasthiskindoflove,hesed,forhispeople.

TheHebrewBibleiswhatwecallourOldTestamentanditiswri\eninHebrew,buttheNewTestamentiswri\eninGreekandthereistheGreekwordusedforbothofthesekindsofloveintheGospels.AhavandhesedarecapturedintheGreekword,agape.

SLIDE Ahavandhesed=Agape

Agapeisthoughtofasselflessandsacrificiallove,whichitcertainlyis,butcanalsorefertothisemo/onallove.OtherwordsforloveintheGreekarephilia,whichis,“brotherlylove,”and,eros,whichis,“ero/clove.”AgapeisthewordusedtodescribeGod’sloveforusandthelovewearemeanttohaveforoneanother,andthisisthewordwefindinJohn3:16-17.IwouldlikeforustoreadthesewordstogetherfromtheKingJames,whichisprobablyhowmanyhavememorizedit.Ifyouareathomeorwatchingonline,Iinviteyoutojoinusinsayingthemoutloudaswell.

BIBLE 16ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegoPenSon,thatwhosoeverbelievethinhimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlasRnglife.17ForGodsentnothisSonintotheworldtocondemntheworld;butthattheworldthroughhimmightbesaved.

Wesome/mesforgetthatJohn3:16isfollowedbythispowerfulverse17,whichreallypointsustowardsthemo/va/onbehindChristmas.InJohn’sGospel,wedon’treadaboutshepherds,wisemen,theVirginMary,Josephorevenastar.Instead,John’sGospel,aswereadlastweek,beginswiththosefamousandpowerfulwords,“Inthebeginning,wastheword,andthewordwaswithGodandtheWordwasGod.TheWordbecamefleshandlivedSermonpreachedbyJeffHuber–December9-10,2017 Page ! 7

amongus.”Wethengettochapter3,andwereadthesewordsthat,“Godsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegoPenson.”

ChristmasisGod’swayofcommunica/ngtoushisloveforhumanity.JesusisGod’sloveincarnate,intheflesh.WhenwelookatChristmas,weunderstandthatJesusis,inaverytangibleway,alovele\erfromGodtoeachoneofus.ThisisGod’swayofpuYngfleshuponhimselfandsayingtous,“Iloveyou.”Thisismeanttobealifetransformingidea,thefactthatregardlessofwhetheryourparentscaredaboutyouorwhetheryourspousehasabandonedyouorwhetheryoufeelyouhavenofriends,thereisonewholovesyouwithalovethatwillnotletyougo.ChristmasisthereasonthatItellyoualmosteveryweekasyourpastorthistruththatnoonecantakeawayorchange,youweremadebyGodtobelovedbyGod.Let’ssayittogetherinthefirstperson.

SLIDE IwasmadebyGodtobelovedbyGod.

Sayitlikeyoumeanit,becausethisisanamazingmessage,giventhefactthatGodisthecreatoroftheen/reuniverse,andyetGodcareswhathappensonthisli\le/nyspeckofdustwecallplanetEarth.Morethanthat,Godcareswhathappenstoeachhumanbeingonthisplanet.Morethanthateven,GodknowsyournameandyourstoryandGodlovesyou!Ifwebelievethis,themessageistransforma/veandchangeseverythingbecausewhosoeverbelievesinhimwillnotperish,buthaveeverlas/nglife.

ThisiswhathappenswhenwetrustthatGodlovesus,butifarehonest,it’shardforsomeofustotrustinthistruth.Ifwedidn’thaveafatherormotherwholovedusinacertainway,thenit’shardtotrustintheloveoftheheavenlyparent.WhatispowerfulaboutthisisthattheScripturesdon’tjustproclaimit,butJesuscameandlivedanddiedtoliveit.WhenJesushangsonthecross,whatheissayingisthat,yes,thisworldismessedupandbroken,ANDGodiswillingtodowhateverittakestoofferforgivenessandsaveusfromourselves.Jesusstretcheshisarmsoutonthecrossandsays,“ThisishowmuchIloveyou.Iloveyousomuch,Iwouldlaydownmylifeforyou.”ThisisthemessageofChristmas.

StuartTownend,whowrotethesongweoQensinginworship,“InChristAlone,”saysthisinaprofoundwayinanothercontemporaryhymnhe


wroteabout20yearsago.

SLIDE HowdeeptheFather’sloveforus,Howvastbeyondallmeasure, ThatHeshouldgiveHisonlySon TomakeawretchHistreasure.

Ireallycouldn’tunderstandthisaroundChristmas/mewhenIwasineighthgrade.Wehadjustmovedforthe15th/meinmyyounglifeandIdidn’treallyknowanyoneyetinschool.I’vesharedwithyouthispartofmystorybefore,butmystepfatherwasanalcoholic.WelivedwithhimandhisdrinkingandabusegotworsearoundtheholidaysanditwasmyfirstChristmasinthisnewplace.WewenttoasmallUnitedMethodistChurchintheSanFranciscoBayAreaanditwasthereIwenttoyouthgroupandmyyouthpastorintroducedmetoJesusintheGospels.IfeltlikeIdidn’thaveafriendintheworld,andyetIdiscoveredthisGodwhocaredaboutthenobodiesandthepusheddownandthepeoplewhoweremadetofeelsmallandmarginalized.

IbegantounderstandthatHealsocaredaboutme.IrememberhearingthroughtheteachingofmyyouthpastorintheteachingofScripture’sthatGodmademeandIma\ertoGod.IfeltGod’sloveforthefirst/meanditwasthefirst/meIwasabletonamethatloveofGodformyself.IthinkIhadglimpsesofitbeforethenfromdifferentpeopleinmylifelikeagreat-grandmotherandgrandparentsandformymother,butinthatmoment,IreallyfeltliketherewasaGodandhelovedme.

Thesameistrueforeverysingleoneofyouinthisroomandlisteningonline.Youma\ertoGod.YouaretreasuredbyGod.Ifyouhaveeverfeltasenseofdeeploveforaspouseorachildorafriendorfamilymember,thenyouhavehadaglimpseoftheloveofGodforyou,and,“HowdeeptheFather’sloveforus.”

ThisispartofthemessageofChristmasandpartofthepowerofthisseasoneveryyear.ThisseasonismeanttotellusthereisaGodwholovesusandthatweareprecious.

Thereisanotherinteres/ngthingtonoteaboutJohn3:16thatwesome/mesoverlook.Weread,“ForGodsolovedtheworld.”No/ce,thatitSermonpreachedbyJeffHuber–December9-10,2017 Page ! 9

doesn’tsayGodlovedjusthumanity.ThereisaGreekwordforhumanityandit’snottheoneusedhere,butwesome/mesthinkofitthatwayaswereadthistext.

SLIDE world=“cosmos”

Thewordthatisusedforworldiscosmos,whichincludeseverythingupontheearthandinallofcrea/on.Remember,inthefirstcentury,itwasbelievedthattheearthwasthecenteroftheuniverseorofallofcrea/onandeverythingelsewaspre\yclosetoit.TheScripturestellusthattheearth,alongwitheverythinginit,istheLord.WefindpassageswhereGodlovesandcaresabouttheanimals,justlikeweloveouranimals.Godcaresaboutallofcrea/on,whichincludeseverythingthatisaliveonourplanet.

Whiletheanimalsandcrea/onmaynothavetheabilitytobelieveinJesus,whatJohnismakingclearinhisgospelandinthispassage,isthatGod’sstrategyistoloveandtocareforussothatwemightcareforthecrea/onthatGodmade,whichincludeseverythingwhichislivingandbreathingonthisplanet.Wehaveallkindsofdebatesintoday’sworldaboutclimateandourroleinthechangingclimateinourworld,butwhatwecan’tmissaspeopleoffaithisthatpartofGod’splanistosoloveusthatwemightnotonlylovehim,buttheplanetandcrea/onthatGodmade.WearemeanttoseeourlifeonthisworlddifferentlybecauseGodmadeustoloveus,andGodmadeallofcrea/on.

WhatissoprofoundaboutJohn3:16-17isthatGod’splanisthattheworldmightbesaved.WeoQenreadthistextandthinkaboutourownindividualsalva/on,butwhatisclearinJohn’sgospelisthatJesuscametosaveallofcrea/onandsalva/onisacommunalevent.Formepersonally,thatmeansrecyclingisanactofChris/andiscipleship.WecareabouttheearthbecauseitbelongstoGodandweseetheearthdifferently.Turningoffthelightswitchwhenweleavearoombecausewedon’tneedthelightisanac/veChris/andiscipleship.Usingtheclimatecontrolinourhousesjudiciouslyisanac/veChris/andiscipleshipbecauseofourwayofsaying,“WecareabouttheearthbecauseGodcaresabouttheearth.”

GodsentChristtochangeme,soImightseetheworlddifferently.IammeanttoseetheworldasonethatbelongstoGod,andnottome.Thisis


partofthemissionofChristmas.IfweweremadebyGodtobelovedbyGod,thenwearecalledtolovethethingsthatGodhasmade,whichincludesnotonlyotherhumanbeings,butallofcrea/on.JesustellsusthatwearemeanttobeawitnesstothiswhenhesaysthisaQerwashingthefeetofthedisciples,thenightbeforehegoestothecross,inJohn13.

BIBLE “34SonowIamgivingyouanewcommandment:Loveeachother.JustasIhavelovedyou,youshouldloveeachother.35Yourloveforoneanotherwillprovetotheworldthatyouaremydisciples.”

NotonlydidGodpourloveintoJesustoshowuswhatlovelookslike,andtotellushowmuchhelovesus,butitalsoismeanttochangeussothatwecanbethepresenceofloveintheworldandchangetheworld.HereisthetruthIhavediscoveredinmyownlife.WhenIaminsecure,itishardformetosaynicethingstootherpeople.It’shardformetocelebratewiththemandtotrulylovethem,becauseI’mnotsureI’mokay.Wecan’tgivewhatwedon’thave,butwhenwerealizethatweareloved,wethencangeneratethecapacitytoloveotherpeopleselflessly,becausewehaveexperiencedthatkindofloveourselves.

Jesustellsuspointblankthatthisisthemarkofbeingoneofhisfollowers,thatweloveoneanotherandtheworld!Thisisnotop/onal.ItremindsmeofthewordsthatJohnwritesin1John4.

BIBLE 7Dearfriends,letusconRnuetoloveoneanother,forlovecomesfromGod.AnyonewholovesisachildofGodandknowsGod.

Let’ssaythislastlinetogether…

8ButanyonewhodoesnotlovedoesnotknowGod,forGodislove.

ThistellsusthattheverynatureandessenceofGodislove,andit’sapictureofGodthatisdifferentthanmanyofuswereraisedwith.SomeofuswereraisedwithGodasajudgeorpoliceofficerorisangry,becausewewere,“sinnersinthehandsofanangryGod.”ButJohntellsusthatthisisamistake,whichiswhyJohntellsusinhisgospelthatJesusdidn’tcomeinto


theworldtocondemntheworldbuttosavetheworld.Theorienta/onofGodismeanttobeloveandnotanger,orwai/ngforyoutomeasureup.

I’mnotsurethisistrueforyou,butImustbehonestandtellyouthereare/meswhereit’shardformetoacceptthistruth.IfinditeasytosaythatGodlovesyou.Some/mes,Ifindithardtobelieveformyself.Some/mes,ifI’mhonest,IwonderifI’vemeasuredupandI’mthepersonGodwantsmetobe.OQenmyprayerlifeendsupwithmetellingGodI’msorryforallthethingsIdidn’tgetrightthatday.Thereare/meswhereIneedtostepbackandsay,“Stop,thisisnothowGodis!Godislove.Godlongstolovemeandcareaboutme.”Godlongstocareforothersthrougheachoneofus,asweexperienceGod’slove.Iknowthatasyourpastor,Ineedtorememberthatsome/mes,andI’mguessingthat’strueforsomeofyouaswell.

Johngoesoninhisle\erinthenextversetosaythis.

SLIDE 9GodshowedhowmuchhelovedusbysendinghisoneandonlySonintotheworldsothatwemighthaveeternallifethroughhim.10Thisisreallove—notthatwelovedGod,butthathelovedusandsenthisSonasasacrificetotakeawayoursins.11Dearfriends,sinceGodlovedusthatmuch,wesurelyoughttoloveeachother.12NoonehaseverseenGod.Butifweloveeachother,Godlivesinus,andhisloveisbroughttofullexpressioninus.

Ithinkaboutpeoplewhowillsome/messay,“IwouldbelieveinGodifhewouldjustshowupandIcouldseeGod.”ThewayweseeGodisthroughotherswholoveus.WearemeanttoincarnatetheloveofGodforotherhumanbeings,whichiswhywesayinthischurchthatwewanttobethepresenceofChristintheworld.Whenweareprac/cingorlivingoutsacrificialloveforothers,it’shardforthemtoarguewithusabouthowweliveourlives.Theproblemformanypeoplewhoarenonreligiousisthattheydon’tseethatkindoflovefromreligiouspeoplewhocallthemselvesfollowersofJesus.Instead,theyoQenfeeljudgmentorcondemna/onthatweoQenclaimistruth.ThetruththatJohnremindsusofisthatwhenweincarnatetheloveofGod,theworldischangedandbecomesmorelikethekingdomofGod.


Ihavebeenthinkingaboutthisconsideringtheeventsofthislastweek,aswesawschoolshoo/nginourneighboringcommunityofAztec.Ialsowasthinkingabouttheconflictserup/ngaroundtheMiddleEastsinceourPresidentmadeacontroversialdecisiontodeclareJerusalemthecapitalofIsrael.Iknowthisishardformanyofustounderstand,butI’vebeentotheMiddleEastandI’vebeentotheWestBank.IwasabletomeetJewsandChris/ansandMuslimsbothinJerusalemandinIsraelandintheWestBank.Bothcurrentevents,alongwithmanyothersthatyouorIcouldnametoday,bringwiththemaplethoraofques/onsandwrestlingwithissuesfromguncontroltoPales/nian-Israelipeacetalks.Theseareallimportantissuesthatwemustwrestlewithandtalkabout.

WhatIwanttosuggestisthatwemustdothat,asfollowersofJesus,inthespiritofagape.Wearecalledtorespondinthespiritofagapebecauseitismen/oned320/mesintheNewTestament.Allthatsaystomeisthatthisisthedefiningmarkofourfaith,thatweloveselflesslyandsacrificially.Wearemeanttolovewhethersomeonelovesusback.WelovebecauseGodlovedusandthattransformsussothatwemightproduceloveasafruitoftheHolySpirit.LoveisthedefiningmarkoftheChris/anlife,anditistheweaponthatweusetofightourba\lesasfollowersofJesus.I’mremindedofthewordsJesusspokeagaininJohn’sGospelthenightbeforehewenttothecross,inJohn15.

BIBLE 9“IhavelovedyouevenastheFatherhaslovedme.Remaininmylove.10Whenyouobeymycommandments,youremaininmylove,justasIobeymyFather’scommandmentsandremaininhislove.11Ihavetoldyouthesethingssothatyouwillbefilledwithmyjoy.Yes,yourjoywilloverflow!12Thisismycommandment:LoveeachotherinthesamewayIhavelovedyou.13Thereisnogreaterlovethantolaydownone’slifeforone’sfriends.”

Theshoo/ngthislastweekremindedmeoftheshoo/ngwhichhappenedtwoyearsagoatChristmasinSanBernardino.45yearoldShannonJohnsonwasattheChristmaspartyfortheSanBernardinoCountyemployeeswhoworkwithpersonswithdisabili/es,andhewaswithhiscoworkerDenisePeraza,27yearsold.Theyweresta/onedatthesameofficeSermonpreachedbyJeffHuber–December9-10,2017 Page ! 13

forawhilebutnowtheywereindifferentplacesbutbroughttogetherattheChristmasparty.Here’sapictureofShannononthevideoscreen.

GRAPHIC ShannonJohnsonandDenisePeraza

Whentheshoo/ngbegan,ShannonpushedDenisebehindthechairandhewrappedhisbodyaroundhertoprotecther.Hisbodyservedasashield,andhecomfortedherduringthisfinalheroicact.Denisesaid,“Amidstallthechaos,I’llalwaysrememberhimsayingthesethreewords,'I’vegotyou.’IbelieveI’ms/llheretodaybecause[of]thisamazingmanwhodiedtakingbulletsinhisownbodyandsavingme.”

ShannonwasafollowerofJesus,andthoseclosetohimrememberedhimathisfuneralasfearless—whetherhewasmovingacrossthecountrytopursuelove,rescuingstrayanimalsinthepathofawildfire,ortryingtoshieldaco-workerfromgunfireduringthelastmomentsofhislife.ThisisapictureoftheloveofGodandI’mthankfulShannonwaswillingtolivethatoutforus,sowecouldseeapictureofGodsacrificiallove,evenduringthishorrificmoment.

Thetruthisthatbadthingswillhappensome/mes.Wemusthavegreatpoliciestoprotectourcountryanddoallthatwecantopreventsenselesstragedy.Regardlessofthosepolicies,orhowmanylawsthatwepass,peoplewhoinsistondoingbadthingswilldothem.Wehavebeenthinkingabouthereinthischurchwhatwewoulddofacedwithasitua/onwithanaggressor.Wehostedaworkshopwhereleadersinourchurchescouldcometogetherandtalkaboutthiswithlocallawenforcementandemergencyresponders.WearepuYngtogetherateamoffolksthatwillthinkabouthowtobestprepare,knowingthatwealsoaren’tgoingtoobsessaboutitbecausewearenotpeopleoffearbutpeopleoffaith.

But,ifwehadsomeoneintentoncausingharmhereinthisplace,whatIwouldwanttodoisrunatthea\acker,andhavethosewhoaretrainedtodothesamething.Wewouldwanttotrytostopthem.Lovedoesn’tmeanthatwedon’ta\ackthea\acker,becausewewanttoprotecttheotherswhowereintheroomandhopefullyitwillatleastgiveothersenough/metoruntosafety.Inthetrainingsthatwearedoing,werecognizethatsomeonemustgetupandtrytostoptheperson.Mostofyouwouldwanttorunorhide,but


somewillneedtofight.Whoisgoingtostoptheperson?IhopeitwillbethosepeoplewhosecentralethicisloveandwhoseSaviorsaid,“Thisishowyouknowthatyouloveothers,whenyouarewillingtolaydownyourlifeforyourneighbor.”

Wealsoarepeoplewhobelievethislifeisnotallthereis,andtheworstthingwillneverbethelastthing.IwouldliketothinkIwouldbeoneofthose,butwemightfindourselvestooterrifiedinthemomentandnotbeabletorespondthisway.IfIcan’tdothat,IhopeIcanwrapmyarmsaroundsomeone,likeShannonJohnson,andprotectthemandkeepthemsafe,evenifIamnot.Iwouldhopewewouldhaveatthischurchathousandpeoplewhowouldbewillingtodothesamething.

Wedon’twantthosethingstohappen,andthelikelihoodisyouwillneverhavetomakethosekindsofdecisionsbecausetheseareveryraresitua/ons.DanBender,amemberofourcongrega/on,hasjustre/redfromtheLaPlataCountySheriff’sofficeandwroteduringourlasttrainingwehadinNovember,“Whileitisimportanttoplanforemergencies,nomaPerhowremote,itisimportanttomessagethattheriskofanacRveshootereventisstaRsRcallyverysmallandnotsomethingtoobsessabout.TheoddsofanacRveshooterenteringahouseofworship,basedonthelastthreeyearsofdata,islessthanonehalfof1%.”

Intoday’sworld,wefinditveryeasytobeafraid.Wewillactuallybedoinganen/reseriesofsermonsinJanuaryen/tled,“Unafraid:LivingwithCourageandHope.”Wecanbefearfulcreatures.Inourfear,themoreweareafraidandthemorewefocusonit,themoreangerthatbeginstobubbleup.Themoreangerweexperience,themoreweturntohate.I’mremindedthatJohnwritesthistruthin1John4:18(NRSV).

BIBLE “Thereisnofearinlove,butperfectlovecastsoutfear.”

Everyoneofusinthisroomhasonethingincommon.Weareallhuman,soweareallgoingtodieinthislife.Inthisnextyear,wewilldosomeofyourfunerals.That’sjustthetruth.Someonewilldieofanillness.Someonewilldieinanaccident.Somemightdieinaviolentcrime,butwecertainlyhopenot.Wedon’thopeforanyofthesethings,butnoneofusknowsthedayor/me.WhatIdoknow,isthatIcannotlivemylifeinfear


everydayofwhatmighthappentometomorrow.Wedoneedtosavoreverydaythatwehave,andprac/celove.

Ihopeyouwilljoinmeinrefusingtodefineourlivesbyfear,ortodecidetocanceloutlovebecauseoftheactsofhatredthatweseecommi\edintheworldaroundus.Myhopeandprayeristhatwewillunderstandthatthepeoplearoundus,thecosmos,needsourloveandcaretodaymorethanever.Wearecalledtolove,anditisourweaponinwagingba\lewithhatredandfear.ThepromiseofChristmasisthis…

SLIDE Intheend,lovewins!

Theremaybeamomentwhereitfeelslikethisisnotthecase,butintheend,lovealwayswins.Ilovethewaysinger/songwriterDavidWilcoxputsitinhissong,“ShowtheWay.”

YousayyouseenohopeYousayyouseenoreasonweshoulddreamThattheworldwouldeverchangeYousaytheloveisfoolishtobelieve'Causethey'llalwaysbesomecrazyWithanarmyoraknifeTowakeyoufromyourdaydreamPutthefearbackinyourlife

LookIfsomeonewroteaplayJusttoglorifywhat'sstrongerthanhateWouldtheynotarrangethestageTolookasiftheherocametoolate? He'salmostindefeatIt'slookingliketheevilsidewillwinSoontheedgeofeveryseatFromthemomentthatthewholethingbegins

SLIDE Itislovewhomixedthemortar Andit’slovewhostackedthesestonesAndit'slovewhomadethestagehere Althoughitlookslikewe'realone


Inthisscene,setinshadows,LikethenightisheretostayThereisevilcastaroundus Butit'slovethatwrotetheplayForinthisdarknesslovecanshowtheway

Thisiswhywegiveawayanythingyoudesignate,asourChristmasEveofferings,sointhedarknesslovecanshowtheway.ThisweekwehighlightedCleanWaterforCongoandtheGardenProjectandlastweekyouheardaboutPastocalleandnextweekyouwillhearabouttheAlanoClub.ThroughourChristmasoffering,andtheseministries,wewillchangetheworldwithactsofagape,actsoflove.Thosewhoareservedbyyouractsofloveinthisoffering,wehope,willthenserveothers.Lastweekweendedwithaques/onforyouandthisweekIdothesame,butwithadifferentques/onaroundthistheme.

SLIDE “Isourworld,ourneighborhoods,ourworkplaces,ourschools,morelovingbecauseweareinthem?”

ThecallofChrististhatwemightmaketheworldamorelovingplace.Wouldyoubowwithmeinprayer?

SLIDE Prayer

Ifyouarehere,andyouhaveneverputyourtrustinChrist,orrespondedtothewordsofJohn3:16,IwouldinviteyoutosimplyputyourtrustinJesusbysayingquietlyunderyourbreath,“Jesus,Itrustinyou…Ibelieveinyou…Ibelievethatyouloveme…Iwishtofollowyou…Andtoliveasyourdisciple.”

Forallofus,whetherwearefollowersofJesusarenot,Iwouldinviteustoprayinourownwords,askingGodtomakeusmoreloving,allowingustoloveourneighbors,ourfamilies,thestrangerswemeet,andevenourenemies.Wouldyoupraythatrightnow,askingGodtohelpyoubemoreloving?

OhGod,wearegratefulthatlovecamedownonChristmas,thatinJesusyouputfleshonyourloveforusashumanbeings.HelpusLord,tosolovethethingsyoulove,thepeopleyoulove,theworldthatyoulove.May


lovegraspourhearts,sowemighttrustinyourloveandbechangedbythatlove,andinturnchangeourworld.Helplovetocastoutfear,sowemightbeyourinstrumentsofhealinginabrokenworld.InJesus’namewepray,Amen.


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“Love:GodSoLovedtheWorld”Theme:ThePromiseofChristmasScripture:John3:16-17

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Family/CommunityAcOvityfortheweek-LoveisoneofthemanyfruitsoftheSpiritfoundinGala/ans5:22-23.ThisAdventseason,discoverversesonloveinScriptureandfindBiblestoriesaboutGod’slove.ShareGod’slovewithoneanotherandyourcommunitywithyourwordsandac/ons.Remember—growinglovedoesn’thavetobeprac/cedinbig,fancyways.Findsmall,yetmeaningfulwaystoshareGod’slovewithothers.WhenweareopentoGodgrowingusthroughtheHolySpirit,everydayactswillhelpproducelove!Praydaily,askingGodtogrowloveinyourheartandlives.

MeditaOonMomentsforMonday,December11–ReadIsaiah63:7-9.Isaiah63usedtheHebrewwordhesedtoexpressGod’ssteadfast,covenantlove,andtheHebrewahav(alsousedinSongofSongs8:6ofhumanlove)toshowGod’sdeeply-feltaffec/onforGod’speople.Humanfeelingscomeandgo,soinhumanlovethemorecentraltheemo/on,themorechangeableittendstobe.ButGod’sloveisstronglyfelt(ahav)yetalsou\erlydependable—it“enduresforever”(cf.Psalm136).• ThisIsaiahpassagelookedbackonIsrael’shistory—somepartsofwhichcouldbesummarizedbyJudges

21:25:“Eachpersondidwhattheythoughttoberight.”YetitlookeddifferentthroughGod’seyesoflove:“Godsaid,‘Truly,theyaremypeople,childrenwhowon’tdowhatiswrong.’”TheprophetknewaGodwhoisalwayswillingtogiveGod’schildrenthebenefitofthedoubt.WhatreasonsdoyouhaveforbeinggratefulGod’slovelooksbeyondyourfailures?

• Thefirstphraseofverse9alsorevealedthefeelingsideofGod’slove:“Duringalltheirdistress,Godalsowasdistressed.”Grief,disappointmentorstrugglealltendtomakeusfeelisolated,cutoff,asthoughwealonearegoingthroughthishard/me.Howcanitcomfortandencourageyoutorememberthatwhenyouaredistressed,Godisalsodistressedforyouandwithyou?

Prayer:LordGod,somePmesIimagineyouasgood,yes,butinacold,detachedkindofway.Thankyoufortheprophet’smessagethatyoufeelloveforme,andforallofus,profoundlyandcaringly.Amen.


Tuesday,December12–ReadJohn3:16-17.Thisisperhapsthemostwell-knowntextintheen/reBible.WedonotoQenthinkofit,however,asapassagethattalkedaboutthemeaningofAdventandChristmas.Yetthat’spreciselywhatitdid.InJesus,Godexpressedinapersonal,redeemingway,thedepthofGod’sloveforthewholeworld.God’slovedidnotmeanwishingtheworldwellfromafar.Instead,God’sloveledhimtobecomeoneofusinthepersonofJesus.• ItneveroccurredtoCanaanites,GreeksorRomanstowriteabouthowmuchtheirgodslikeBaal,Zeusor

Marslovedthem.Theyusuallythoughttheir“gods”demandedsacrificesasakindofbribetogetthegodtosendrainorprotectthemfromharm.ButGodgavehimself,inChrist,asasacrificetosaveus,becauseGodlovesus.TowhichkindofGod,wouldyourathergiveyourallegianceandservice?

• John3:16wasnottheendofapassage.Itwentrightontothefollowingverse:“Goddidn’tsendhisSonintotheworldtojudgetheworld,butthattheworldmightbesavedthroughhim.”HaveyoueverimaginedGodangrily“watchingyoulikeahawk,”justwai/ngtocatchyoudoingsomethingwrong?Howcanverse17reshapeanyunlovingmentalimagesyoumightcarryabouthowGodlooksatyou?

Prayer:LordJesus,I’moRenawareofaninnersensethatI’veblownit,thatIdeservecondemnaPon.Butyoucametosave,nottocondemn—thankyouforyourwonderfullove.Amen.

Wednesday,December13–ReadJohn15:9-13.Jesusspoketheseyearningwordstohisdisciplesthenightbeforehewascrucified.Hewantedthemtounderstandthatthecrosswasnotanaccident,asadbunglethatgothimintotroublewiththeauthori/es.Givinghimselfonthecrossexpressedhisdeeploveforthem.Mark14:26saidJesusandthedisciplesendedtheirPassoversupperbysingingtogether.Iftheyfollowedtheusualprac/ce,theysangPsalm118,inwhichthefirstfourverses,likePsalm136,saidthatGod’sloveenduresforever.• Jesussaid,inverse11,thathe’dtoldthedisciplesaboutGod’sloveforthem“sothatmyjoywillbeinyou

andyourjoywillbecomplete.”(Imaginetalkingaboutjoyonthenightbeforeyourcrucifixion!)Canyouremembera/mewhenhumanlove(eitherfromaloverorfromagrandparent,parent,sibling,childorfriend)filledyouwithjoy?HowmightGod’sevengreaterlovefunc/ontomakeyourjoy“complete”?

• Jesuslaidoutwhatonewritercalled“atriadoflove”forthedisciples.TheFatherlovesme,Jesussaid.Inthesameway,Ihavelovedyou.Now,asIhavelovedyou,loveoneanother.WeoQenfallshortofthisideal—butthiskindofloveisalsowillingtodothehardworkofbindingupwoundsandpursuingreconcilia/on.HowdoesitbringyoucomfortandstrengthtoknowJesus’loveforyouisrootedinGod’seternallove?Howcanweliveoutthiskindofcommi\ed,steadylovetowardoneanother?

Prayer:LordJesus,wesingasongthatexclaims,“Oh,howhelovesmeso.”Andit’snotjustasong—youreallydoloveme,withalovecapableofrockingmyworld.Whatawonderthatis!Amen.

Thursday,December14–Read1John4:7-16.InthispassageJohnrepeatedthat“GodISlove.”Allofuslovesomeoneorsomethingat/mes(someofusmorethanothers!).ButJohn’sthoughtreachedbeyondthattosaythattheveryessenceofGod’sbeingislove.“Andhowdoyouknowthat?”someonemighthaveaskedJohn.Adventpointedtotheanswer.WeknowGodislove,Johnsaid,BECAUSEGodsenthisonlySonintotheworldonasavingmission.• Twobigthemesintertwineinthispassage.Thefirst,indispensableoneisGod’sloveforus.Ourspiritual

journey,Johnsaid,neverstartswithourcuriosity,philosophicalthoughtorspiritualins/ncts.“ItisnotthatwelovedGodbutthathelovedusandsenthisSon.”Inwhatways,ifany,canyousensethatGodwasseekingyouinlovebeforeyoueverstartedseekingandrespondingtoGod?

• John’ssecondthemewasthatwehavetheprivilegeofreflec/ngandsharingGod’slovewithoneanother.“NoonehaseverseenGod,”hewrote.“Ifweloveeachother,Godremainsinus.”Inwhatwayshaveotherpeoplebeen“Godwithskinon”inyourlife?IstheresomeoneyouknowwhoGodmightbehopingtotouchthroughyourloving,listeningandcaring?

Prayer:OGod,thisAdventseasonisfullofPnsel,lightsandgiR-wrap.ThatfirstChristmastherewasnoneofthat—justyourlove,madefleshinali\lebaby,bringinguslightandthegiRoflife.Amen.

Friday,December15–ReadRomans5:1-8.FormanyChris/ans,thesalva/onGod’sgraceoffersus,produces/mesofawesomejoyandpeace.Buthumanemo/onsarevola/leanderra/c.At/mesofpainordoubt,eventhestrongest,mostconfidentChrist-followermaystruggletofeelthat“theloveofGodhasbeenpouredoutin


ourhearts.”That’swhyPaulbasedourul/matesecuritynotinhowwefeelatanygivenmoment,butinanevent.Jesusvaluedandlovedussomuchthathediedforus.• TheChris/anfaithaffectsourfeelings,butitisnotmainlyabouthowwefeel.Ourfaithisrootedinaspecific

history—thehistoryofJesus’birth,life,deathandresurrec/on.SoPaulsaid,thevitalproofofGod’sloveforusisthefactthatJesusdiedforus.Howsolidisyourgraspofthe“Christ-event,”ofthewitnessestotherealityofJesus’history?Whatresourcesmightyouusetodeepenyourknowledgeandunderstandingofthatcentralhistory?

• Paultwiceusedaverbthatmeant“torejoice,beveryhappy.”Inverse2,theCommonEnglishBiblerendersit“weboastinthehopeofGod’sglory.”Inverse3,weread,“Weeventakeprideinourproblems,”whichmaybeabittoughertograsp.Whenhaveyouexperiencedtheprogressionoftrouble,endurance,characterandhopebringingyouapowerfulsenseofGod’slovebeing“pouredout”inyourheart?

Prayer:LordGod,thankyouthatyouweren’tcontenttoloveourli\leplanetfromadistance.ThankyouforcominginJesus,andforpu^ngyoursavingloveintosacrificialacPononourbehalf.Amen.

Saturday,December16–ReadEphesians3:14-19.Paul’sle\ersincludedprayersheprayedfortheChris/anconvertsintheli\lehousechurchesheraisedupinAsiaandEurope.InthispassagesenttoChris/ansatEphesus,heaskedlyricallythattheHolySpirit,dwellingintheirhearts,wouldgiveallbelievers“thepowertograsplove’swidthandlength,heightanddepth.”Heusedthosegeometric,almostarchitecturaltermstoexpresshisbeliefthatGod’sloveisenormous,biggerul/matelythananylovewecanimagine.Yethebelievedthatitwasspirituallyvitalthatwedoallwecantograspandexperiencethatawesomelove.• Paradoxesbothermostofus,butPaul’sfaithembracedtheparadoxesofGod’sworldratherthanducking

them.InEphesians,heprayedthatallbelieverswouldbeableto“knowtheloveofChristthatisbeyondknowledge.”Howhaveyoubeenableto“know”God’sloveeventhoughitreachesbeyondtheboundsoflogicandintellectualexpression?Howcanyourheartknowthingsthatstretchyourmindtoitslimits?

Prayer:LordJesus,youlovebecauseyouARElove.Iamloved,atallPmesandinallways,becauseyouARElove.Whatawonderfulpromise—whatanawe-inspiringgiR.Amen.
