Love (3 of 4)
Series: Advent
Rich Wooten
Romans 5:6-8
We have come to the final Sunday before Christmas. We have looked at Hope, Joy, Peace, and we finally arrive at Love. Often in the Bible we see love listed as the pinnacle attribute of a redeemed life. It seems to be the 'thing' that separates the average from the uniquely blessed. Love is contagious and is the power behind Hope, Joy, and Peace. Without Love, it all comes crashing down!
Why is this? I think that 1 John gives us a glimpse into the true strength of Love.
1 John 4:16 (HCSB)
God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
To love is to participate with God. To be loved is to receive from God!
There are images we use of God - a rock, immovable. A King, whose plans are unassailable. God, immutable. Omnipotent. Unlimited. But is this how God is truly revealed in the Bible? If so, what do we do with the little baby in the manger? Vulnerable. Able to suffer.
But able to love in a unique way. We can now, in a mysterious way, remain in Him because the Love revealed by him is him. God is love. And he shows us.
This is an intimacy we don't expect from the Creator isn't it.
I remember years ago my first car - a 1975 Toyota Corolla. Awful car. One thing I do remember is rebuilding the engine with my dad. We spent hours when I was probably 14 or so, taking off the valve cover, cylinder heads, upper valve train, exhaust. He got down and dirty, covered in oil, and I was right there with him. And it put a love in me for working on my own vehicles. All because he showed, side by side, with me.
This is the story we find unfolding in Christmas. A God who is heavily invested in his creation. So invested that he takes the form of humanity, living among the dust of creation, to bring what humanity had longed for but was completely incapable of reaching for itself - restored relationship with the everlasting.
This happens in a manger. Through ...
Series: Advent
Rich Wooten
Romans 5:6-8
We have come to the final Sunday before Christmas. We have looked at Hope, Joy, Peace, and we finally arrive at Love. Often in the Bible we see love listed as the pinnacle attribute of a redeemed life. It seems to be the 'thing' that separates the average from the uniquely blessed. Love is contagious and is the power behind Hope, Joy, and Peace. Without Love, it all comes crashing down!
Why is this? I think that 1 John gives us a glimpse into the true strength of Love.
1 John 4:16 (HCSB)
God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
To love is to participate with God. To be loved is to receive from God!
There are images we use of God - a rock, immovable. A King, whose plans are unassailable. God, immutable. Omnipotent. Unlimited. But is this how God is truly revealed in the Bible? If so, what do we do with the little baby in the manger? Vulnerable. Able to suffer.
But able to love in a unique way. We can now, in a mysterious way, remain in Him because the Love revealed by him is him. God is love. And he shows us.
This is an intimacy we don't expect from the Creator isn't it.
I remember years ago my first car - a 1975 Toyota Corolla. Awful car. One thing I do remember is rebuilding the engine with my dad. We spent hours when I was probably 14 or so, taking off the valve cover, cylinder heads, upper valve train, exhaust. He got down and dirty, covered in oil, and I was right there with him. And it put a love in me for working on my own vehicles. All because he showed, side by side, with me.
This is the story we find unfolding in Christmas. A God who is heavily invested in his creation. So invested that he takes the form of humanity, living among the dust of creation, to bring what humanity had longed for but was completely incapable of reaching for itself - restored relationship with the everlasting.
This happens in a manger. Through ...
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