Part 1: Love

ILLUMINATE: THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

PART - 1

• It is impossible to explain Christmas without love.

PUTTING CHRISTMAS IN THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

1. THE REASON FOR THE SEASON IS SIN.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:7-10 (NIV)

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.’”

Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV)

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.’”

Luke 2:8-11 (NIV)

2. THE MOTIVE FOR THE SEASON IS LOVE.

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”

1 John 4:10-14 (NIV)

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

1 John 4:15-16 (NIV)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 (NIV)

3. THE RESPONSE TO THE SEASON IS TOTALLY UP TO US.

“We love because He first loved us.”

1 John 4:19 (NIV)

“...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6b (NIV)

“Let love be your highest goal!...”

1 Corinthians 14:1a (NIV)

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS TO:

• Do this week’s YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “Wonders of His Love” (4 days).

• Check out this week’s blog or podcast: “God Pursues.”

• Get more information about our next Baptism Day on December 12th.

• Thank God for His great love for me