Rediscover Christmas: Love
December 22, 2024
Pastor Frank Bowden
Sermon Notes
God’s Love Is…
I. A Gift that is Thoughtful
Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
II. A Gift that is Priceless
1 Peter 1:18-19
knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
The best gift was, is, and always will be Jesus
III. A Gift that is Timeless
1 John 4:9-11
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Christmas reminds us that Jesus was sent, in love, from heaven and that you are sent, in love, on earth.
Next Steps
- Today, I accept the gift of Jesus as my Lord and Savior for the first time.
- I will stop trying to earn God’s love through _________________.
- I commit this Christmas week to share with someone close to me the incredible love Jesus has for them.
Deep Dive
Read 1 John 4:7-10 and discuss the following:
- How did God express His love for humanity, and what insight does this give us into how God expects us to show love to others?
- How does God’s love for us transform how we see ourselves and others?
- Is there any situation in your life right now causing you to doubt God’s love? How do these verses and other promises in Scripture counter those doubts?
Springboards
- How do you feel when your day doesn’t go as planned?
- Acts 3:1-11 describes the intersection of Peter’s life with the lame beggar. What does this teach us about how God uses ordinary interruptions in our day to reveal His plan?
- Can you think of a time when your day was interrupted with an opportunity to share Jesus and/or express His love?
