GOD’S LOVE IN A CHANGING WORLD

John 13.34-35

INTRODUCTION
Q: What is one of your favorite things to do during the Christmas season?
How does it make you feel?
- Music
o Tchaikovsky Nutcracker
o Andy Williams, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
o Vince Guaraldi, Christmas Time is Here
o John Williams, Somewhere in My Memory

When people engage in activities connected with the Christmas season, they typically feel:
- Comfort, warmth, happy
- Overall increased friendliness & loving relationships

Christmas gives us the time & space to think about Christ, ourselves, the world as it is & the world as it could
be
- Provides the space for self-reflection & draws us into community

In a time where there is tremendous conflict, we can’t pretend everything is fine

- There is strife & discord in the world (Middle East; our nation; the Church)
- People are looking for reassurances

EXPOSITION
John 13.35 - How God’s love is seen in Christians
- Jesus made it clear His disciples should be known for one thing
o Not church attendance, Bible reading, praying, offering, baptism

1 Cor 13.4-8 - What is love?

- Each description of love is exactly who Jesus is & what He offers
- How does your life measure up to this one thing that Christ wants you to be known for?

Measuring up: Discipleship

- Less emphasis (not less importance) on the practices; MORE on the intention
- Instead of “how did you do in reading/praying/evangelism”; more on “how did I see God’s love in my
reading/praying/talking to others?”
- Being a disciple is having your actions reflect what’s inside; not the outside shaping the inside

Love is intention put to action, even when it is least ideal

ILLUS: Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, Gaza City

- Founded in 1882, the only cancer center in Gaza
- Est by the Anglican Church; Managed by the Southern Baptist; Currently owned by the Episcopal
Church via the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem
- Christians took the stance to be a source of healing in a place of conflict
APPLICATION

Advent is typically the period of waiting expectantly for Christ to arrive

- A season of dwelling in the already & the not-yet
o Already: Christ came into the world
o Not-yet: Christ will return to establish His kingdom
- A time that can ground & strengthen us in all the uncertainty of life

Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to settle all strife & conflict
- The church – empowered by the HS – resists violence & earthly powers
- God wants us to be intentional about loving others in our community

Love Came Down At Christmas

Love came down at Christmas
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas –
Star & angels gave the sign

Love shall be our token –

Love be yours & love be mine:
Love to God & all of us,
Love for plea & gift & sign

Ask God about how His love applies to & through you today
- What do You have for me in this season?
- Who do you want me to be in this moment in time?
- What are You calling me to do in the middle of uncertainty?
- Who are You leading me to love?