Advent Week 4: When Love Stepped Into History

WHEN LOVE STEPPED INTO HISTORY

Advent is the coming of the Lord, a season of incarnation.  It is argued that advent is centered on God’s love made visible.  It was not an abstract idea, rather it was God’s decision to enter into human history and become one of the people.  Thus, John described it as the word becoming flesh and love becoming a reality. God became a living demonstration of love.  In the scripture, Jesus told what love looks like when it is lived, received and shared.

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The SOURCE of Love — The Father 

John 15:9 (NKJV)

Love does not begin with us. Love originates with God Himself.

“God doesn’t just have love; God is love Himself.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

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Truths About God’s Love

God IS Love
1 John 4:8 (NKJV)
This is the very essence of who God is.

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God INITIATED LOVE
1 John 4:19 (NKJV)
God is loving us first

 

God loves EVERYBODY EVERYWHERE!
John 3:16 (NKJV)

There is nothing conditional about God loving everyone everywhere. Nothing can separate us from the source of love.

“You will never love well, until you are convinced you are already loved deeply.” – Pastor Billy Johnson.

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The CONNECTION to Love — Christ

John 17:26 (NKJV)

Christ is the connection to love. Jesus is unfiltered, uncontaminated love. The pathway to love is the Father, the believer, and others.

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The CONTINUANCE of Love — Abiding 

John 15:9 (NKJV)

Continuance meaning to remain, to dwell, and to stay connected to love.

Abiding in love is settling down in God’s love.

“There has to be a continual awareness that I am loved by God.” – Pastor Billy Johnson.

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The COMMAND to Love — Others

John 15:12, 1 John 4:7 (NKJV)

 We are commanded to love one another. We are to give this love to others.  Love is the vision of evidence of the new birth.

“Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

 

The SUPERLATIVE of Love — The Cross

John 15:13

This is the highest level of love.  A love that demands sacrifice.  A love that is great, and one that will lay down his life for his friends. When love is sacrificial, it is at great personal cost.

“God’s love is a living reality, that you and I need to walk in daily.” – Pastor Billy Johnson.

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This Advent, may we:

• Receive God’s love
• Remain in God’s love
• Reflect God’s love