Religion & Spirituality
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, and today we talk about Love.Normally, in a sermon, you build up to the main thing.But this morning, I am going to start with the main thing.1 John 4:19:We love each other because he loved us first.In fact, listen to verses 16-19 0 ***READ***Now, pair that with Jeremiah 31:31-33 ***READ***Now, listen to Hebrews 10:8-17 ***READ***Now, Jeremiah is in the Old Testament, and 1 John and Hebrews are in the New Testament.Yet they all have this in common:Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ as the New Covenant.You see, the birth of Christ is the beginning of the New Covenant,Coming to mankind.With Christ, God’s Law is written on our hearts.And what is it that God expects from us?Micah 6:8No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.And this fourth Sunday in Advent speaks of Love…And it is a Love that is from God; that is God.And you and I can love one another because Christ first Loved us!And how did He/does He do it?With the New Covenant that begins with the birth of Christ.This one act…this universe altering act of God…This one act that changes everything!There are no more Convental sacrifices;There is a revelation of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ!Now, we think we know what it means to love.Before we know Christ, we think we have it figured out.Let’s see, before Christ, I thought love was people doing good things for me;Giving me good things;Giving me what I want;Being what I considered nice and what I considered good.But then Jesus comes and shows me a different way…Jesus comes and shows me THE Way…Jesus comes and shows me what Love is!Jesus comes and shows me it is more about loving than it is about being loved.If we seek to be loved, then we will take almost whatever comes along.Do you understand what I am saying?I am saying that if I spend all my time looking to be loved, eventually,I will settle for something that looks like love but has its own best interest in mind.What does Jesus tell us about this?John 13:34“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”The command is not “seek love”, but rather “to love”.You see, we go around getting our feelings hurt because we expect people to love us,Which translates into us looking to be loved,Instead of looking to give love.What is God doing by the birth of Christ?Is God looking to BE loved?God is looking to SHOW His Love for us!God is looking to Love you and I.The birth of Christ is such a joyous thing because it is not a ‘what can you do for me’ event.It is a ‘I love you’ event.There are a lot of people out there that hate religion.And I 100% understand that.They hate it because religion has this ‘follow my rules, or else’,This ‘I am better than you’, and this history of violence toward those that don’t follow that religion.