God’s Gift of Love John 3:16-21

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.  Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

20 But just when he had resolved to do 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 as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

Intro You cannot live without love Christmas is the Gift of God’s love in a way we can understand Intro

16 “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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-21 (NIV)

19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes to the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:16-21 (NIV)

The love of God at Christmas is the love that gives John 3:16 “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. The love of God at Christmas is the love that gives

3 He was despised and rejected—     a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.     He was despised, and we did not care. Isaiah 53 (NLT)

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;     it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,     a punishment for his own sins! Isaiah 53 (NLT)

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,     crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole.     He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.     We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him     the sins of us all. Isaiah 53 (NLT)

7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,     yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.     And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,     he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53 (NLT)

King size bed

The love of God at Christmas is the love that does not condemn 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. The love of God at Christmas is the love that does not condemn

Psalm 27 10 Though my father and mother forsake me,     the Lord will receive me.

The love of God at Christmas is the love that rescues the condemned

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8 (NIV)

7 Where can I go from your Spirit. Where can I flee from your presence 7 Where can I go from your Spirit?     Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;     if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,     if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me,     your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139

The love of God at Christmas is the love that refines our life God loves us too much to leave us as we are The love of God at Christmas is the love that refines our life

Malachi 3 “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Malachi 3 (NLT)

2 … For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. Malachi 3 (NLT)

The love of God at Christmas is the love that refines our life Come as you are – but God does not leave you as you are Jesus did not come to condemn – but he comes to clean The love of God at Christmas is the love that refines our life

God loves you and there is nothing you can do about it God loves you and there is nothing you can do about it. (God’s relentless love) Conclusion