The sign of love

Topics: Christmas, Advent, sign of love

I. Love is the motivation for Jesus' first Advent

* Christmas is the epic, timeless love story of our God!

1. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God? (John 3:16-18).

2. By this, the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:9, 10).

II. Love is the celebration at Jesus' second Advent

* Christ's return will bring His love to our full experience!

1. See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:1-3).
2. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:12, 13).

III. Love is our priority between His Advents

* Christian love is the truest expression of salvation!

1. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love . . . Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:7, 8, 11).
2. And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets? (Matthew 22:37-40).

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Love needs to be expressed in words and actions. Discuss how your Life Group can "love one another" within the group and demonstrate love to those in your OIKOS. What are some "signs of love" in your life and Life Group?

Getting Started:

1. How does the drama of God's redemptive love story impact you? Does His love for you fuel your desire to love others?
2. What was Paul communicating about love in his prayer of Ephesians 3:17-19?

Discussing Truths:

1. How do you view God's love for you (Romans 5:8; John 10:11; 15:13)? Have you truly experienced His boundless love as His true disciple (John 13:34, 35)?/li>
2. In Micah's closing verses (Micah 7:18-20), how does God's unchanging love express itself in gracious forgiveness?
3. If you put your name in place of "love" in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, what kind of a lover are you in light of this passage to your family, friends, OIKOS and to your enemies?
4. What are some practical ways that God's perfect love casts out fear in your life (1 John 4:18, 19)?
5. As you reflect on 1 John 3:1-3, do you sense God's great love for you?
6. How will our experience of Agape love be more real when Jesus returns?
7. What kind of "conditional love" have you received from people? I love you if . . ., or I love you because . . . or I love you, but . . .? Please know that God loves you unconditionally as He shouts: "I LOVE YOU."

Now What? Application:

1. What are some practical ways you can express God's love to your OIKOS this week?
2. As you celebrate Christmas, remember to earnestly "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).