Advent Pt. 4: Steadfast Love

Deuteronomy 7:6-9
1 John 4:8-11
12/15/24

What did the birth of Christ have to do with love?

Two thousand years ago, something was on its way that would personify love in a way no one had never seen. God is the same as he’s always been and is unchanging; this isn’t a new kind of love. But on that first Christmas it was expressed in a way never seen in the course of human history.

Deut 7

6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 
•       The Israelites were God’s chosen people. 
•       Parental love makes you feel special, treasured

7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 
God’s love rescues and redeems.
God’s love is not because of anything you’ve ever done. We did nothing to earn it or to keep it. In fact, it is in the face of our own opposition and hatred.

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.
•       What is being declared about God is central to who He is. First and foremost, YHWH is God. In the same sentence He is defined by how he keeps his promises and extends to us his steadfast love.
•       The Hebrew word there is a very common one in the Old Testament. HESED. It is very often translated ‘steadfast love’ or ‘lovingkindness’. 
•       It is used all over the place, hundreds of times through scripture.
o       Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
o       In Ruth 3 Boaz describes Ruth’s dedication to her mother-in-law as ‘hesed’.
o       1 Sam 20:14, David asks Jonathan to show him the ‘hesed’ of the LORD.
•       It describes the Godly ability to show love and mercy over and over and over again, even in the face of complete opposition and resistance and ignorance. God’s love is a never giving up, always chasing you down type of love.
•       That’s where this passage leaves us today, with the truth that God’s love was always going to chase us down. We could not follow the law; we could not love him first. And so that love, the hesed of the LORD YHWH did something no one had ever seen in the course of human history. Because of the great love that he had for us…

Ultimately the hesed of the LORD culminates in the revelation of the gospel.

1 John 4

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 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. 
•       The central characteristic of God: his mercy, his devotion and his great love is what incarnated Jesus Christ into the world. It was the hesed of YHWH that brought Jesus to take on human flesh and live as a man.
•       God had made a promise to redeem his people, and this never-stopping, always chasing after you love is what sent Jesus in to the world; so that we might live.
•       “Born that man no more may die”
•       He had been promising salvation since the introduction of sin in to our world. 

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 
•       The hesed of the LORD God is uninitiated. We did not love him, and yet he still sent his son to die and take the punishment of our sins. He came to be the last sacrifice we would ever need for our sins.
•       Love came to take the punishment of our sins

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
•       The closest I’m going to get to application is this verse right here. What does this mean for us? To love one another because God loved us. Yeesh! We have an example of what love looks like and scripture tells us we are to be full of it! Overflowing with that love!

Takeaways
Model love after the steadfast love of God.
•       This is hard. I encourage you to take every opportunity you can to learn more about the love God has for you, celebrate it this Christmas wherever you might be. 

Philippians 2

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Advent Pt. 3: The Gift of Faith In Christ

Faith is a complex subject… The Scripture defines it this way:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. ~ Hebrews 11:1-3

Faith in the context of Advent is very specific…It is not faith in humanity, or science, or politics or even a general idea of a god…For the church Jesus authored, Christmas / Advent is defined by who HE IS!

So faith in regard to Christmas and what we celebrate durning Advent is:

FAITH IN WHO JESUS OF NAZARETH!

FAITH IN THE CHRIST!

FAITH IN THE BIBLICAL MESSIAH!

FAITH IN GOD INCARNATE!

So let’s be clear about what I am talking about…

Believing wholeheartedly that the Biblical person, Jesus of Nazareth, was in fact: The God of the Hebrew Scriptures, personally fulfilling HIS promise of Messiah. He was born in the most unique and fantastic way. He was entirely human physically… YET He was GOD @ the same time. Can you believe that? But wait there is more…HE lived about of 33 years with people and problems and HE NEVER SINNED!!THEN after explaining the deal of salvation though HIM…He is captured, killed, He came back from the dead and lives forever For YOU!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT!

Truth is, none of us, on our own, possess the faith required to believe all of this enough for it to change the course of your life…

Thank God for the gift of saving faith, ie: Faith In Christ as God, Savior & Lord!

Our text today shows us some of the first people to received that gift of faith in Christ: 3 Women: Elizabeth, Mary and Anna.

May God’s Word inspire us with how He first gave the gift of faith in Christ…

If you believe Jesus of Nazareth is God, Savior & Lord I encourage you to celebrate that Gift today as you hear God’s Word. UNDESERVED…HUMBLING

If you believe Jesus is anything less than God, Savior & Lord, I encourage you to ask God to give you a full blown faith in Christ Jesus TODAY!

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias…and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years…9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense…11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before HIM [Christ] in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord [Christ].”

18 Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 When the days of his priestly service were ended, he went back home.24 After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.”

26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. 36 Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. 37 Nothing is impossible for God.” 38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

39 Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands [Ein Karem]. 40 She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. 43 Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.”

Luke 2:22-38 NASB 1995

22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel [Messiah]; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; 30 for my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

FAITH IN CHRIST

Elizabeth: The Gift of Faith In Christ is the work of The Holy Spirit

Mary: The Gift of Faith In Christ is received by Your obedience

Anna: The Gift of Faith in Christ results in You sharing that Gift

Romans 5:1-2 NLT

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Philippians 3:9b NLT

I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NASB 1995

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

The Gift of Faith In Christ Jesus:

Open Yourself to God’s Grace

  • Repentance / Turn away from You, Turn to God
  • Recognition that Jesus is God dying to save you

Do What Jesus The Christ Says

  • As His You lay down your life
  • Whatever He says goes: ‘Lordship Salvation’

Give Away What You Have Been Given

Sharing Christ results from faith in Christ

Your belief drives attitudes and actions

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Advent Pt 2: Joy to the World

Luke 2:8-18 (ESV)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Joyful Meditations:

– What is joy? Joy is settled satisfaction and contentment with who the Lord is and what He is doing. It produces a multitude of experiences, emotions, and passions. It is distinct from happiness, which is entirely circumstantial and primarily emotional.

– No one can deprive you of joy, nor take it from you. Remember David? Because of his own sin, he lost the joy of the Lord, and he prayed the Lord would restore it to him. (Psalm 51:12)

– Joy is a gift from God and a fruit of His Spirit, but do not take it for granted.Through His joy, you will finish life on earth well and be carried to victory even when you fail or significant losses come your way.

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