LOVE
Love…(but not just any kind of love)…
This Sunday, the 4th of Advent, marks the end of this spiritual preparatory month of Sundays. Advent is a time designed to heightened our understanding of our need for a Savior to show up. Christmas worship and traditions are deepened in meaning and substance when we are ready to accept we needed saving and a Savior was born!
The 4th Sunday of our Advent Word Studies sermon series reaches its pinnacle in its focus on “love” – sacrificial love to be clear.
There’s no question God has designed love to feel good. From lunch with a friend, to the touch of lovemaking with your beloved, love introduces “feel good” hormones that are satisfying and delightful.
But there’s also no doubt there’s more to love than “feel good.”
Sacrificial love (agape in the original Greek) is more exercised than felt; more about the other than the self. Unlike the more shallow forms of love, sacrificial love comes from deep within the soul because that is where the Spirit of God plants it. It doesn’t come naturally – it comes supernaturally. It doesn’t describe God as much as it defines His identity, His essence!
God is love. (1John 4.7)
We’ll witness the planting of this sacrificial love in Abigail’s baptism! We’ll receive the Source of this Love in the Body/Bread the Blood/Wine as we commune with our Lord.
It is He that preps us to be ready for saving and then reminds us that Sacrificial Love sent a Savior. It’s then we can say “Merry Christmas” with all the gravitas it can communicate!
I look forward to seeing you in worship,
Pastor Karl