Sunday 12/21/2025 "Sacrificial Love" (11AM Service)

Sacrificial Love 1 John 4:9 “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.” Introduction: We light these candles as symbols of the reality of the expressed image of God through Jesus Christ. Love during Advent centers on the theme of God’s love, demonstrated through the birth of Jesus and is understood not just as a feeling but as a selfless action of sacrifice. It is a call to live out this love, received by us, by showing kindness, service, and forgiveness to others. During Advent, we have reflected on the gifts of Joy, Peace, and Hope. We move along on our journey to the Christmas celebration with considering the gift and the giving of love. He showed us who He is: God’s love for the whole world: The core of Advent love is the belief that God sent his son, Jesus, as an ultimate act of selfless love to redeem the world. John 3:16 Sacrificial love: The Father gave His son; Romans 5:8 Jesus Responded with “Yes”: Philippians 2:6 People don’t know how we feel unless we show them: Active and tangible love: Not just during this season, but at all times we are encouraged as believers in Jesus to demonstrate love through tangible acts of kindness, service like helping a neighbor, or volunteering, and forgiveness towards others, reflecting the love of Christ. 1 John 3:17,18 Reach out to others: Show love by contacting and comforting those who are lonely,struggling, or grieving. James 1:2 Extend forgiveness: Offer the gift of forgiveness to those who have wronged you, just as you have been forgiven. Matthew 6: 14,15 Be present: Give the gift of your time and attention to your family, friends, and even strangers. Reflect and pray: Use this time to reflect on the love, God’s Love for you and pray for guidance on how to live it out more fully. Luke 18:1 Conclusion: I can only ask as we go from here that we would take time to reflect on the overwhelming Love of God that rescued and redeemed us. The never ending Love of God that keeps us. The unfailing Love of God that will not let us go. The enduring Love of God that calls out to us and even through us, during this Christmas Season. As we reflect, as we were encouraged last week, let’s start with rethinking the Arrival of God and Prepare our Hearts with Repentance. Jesus’ words to us are twofold- “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” and “As He is, even so are we in this world”. Questions: In what way do the words “sacrificial love” cause you to reflect on your own life? How are you preparing to reflect “sacrificial love” to those in your family? Are you moved to engage in “sacrificial love” in the world around you?