For God so loved that He gave! Christmas defined, we are loved to love!

For God so loved that He gave…

Jesus: God’s love personified. Christmas Defined!

For God so loved that He gave… Why?

‘To Save His People from Their Sins…’ Why?

For God so loved that He gave…

“Love came down at Christmas, love divine…star and angels gave the sign…love incarnate, love divine…love shall be yours and love be mine…”

– Christina Georgina Rossetti

‘To us a child is born…yes, to us a son is given…’ Why?

Jesus: God’s agape love personified. Christmas Defined!

Ever felt unloved, unworthy, unwanted, forgotten, looked over, judged or broken by life?

Ever felt oppressed, powerless, discouraged, hopeless, joyless, less than peaceful?

For God so loved that He gave… Why?

For God so loved that He gave… Why? Let’s ask…

- Zaccheus (Luke 19)
- Tax Collectors & Sinners (Luke 15)
- Samaritan Woman (John 4)
- Woman caught in adultery (John 8)

“The Pharisee did not see the sinful woman as a human being loved by God. He saw a sinner, an interruption, and a person without the right to be at the dinner table. Jesus saw her differently.”

– Peter Scazzero

In some way, her story is our story…

“Love does not dominate, it cultivates.”

– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

For God so loved that He gave…

“Too much of love is fish love!”

– Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

“You love those to whom you give.”

– Rabbi Dessler

For God so loved that He gave…

From the shepherds to Bethlehem; a stable not the Herodium; the manger to the cross–God so loved…

God’s love is unconditional. Jesus died for all mankind! Will we accept His love this Christmas?

“Not love if; not love because–but love period!”

– Josh McDowell

In love, Jesus died for all who would believe; even those who wouldn’t! For His friends and enemies!

“Through Jesus we see an even greater love at the heart of God…soldiers who fall on grenades do so out of love for their friends while on the battlefield trying to kill their enemies. Jesus died for his friends, and his enemies, and for everyone in between.”

– Bruxy Cavey

For God so loved that He gave…

For God so loved that He gave…

For God so loved that He gave! Christmas defined, we are loved to love!

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

For God so loved that He gave! Christmas defined, we are loved to love!

Questions to reflect on your time of personal silence, with the family and / or in your life group.

1. How can we apply and integrate this message into our life?

2. Who, in our life, embodies the word love? What stands out about them?

3. Read Matthew 1:21; Romans 3:23 & 6:23; 5:6,8. What recurring theme is stated as to why Jesus came?

4. Read 1 John 3:16-18; 4:9-12; Matthew 22:37-39. Discuss this statement: ‘We are loved to love!’ Why? How?

5. Have we ever felt unloved, unworthy, unwanted? Read Luke 4:18; 7:22 & John 3:16-17. What is communicated?

6. Will we accept the love God offers us in Jesus and live the love God shows us? Read Acts 2:38 & Ephesians 3:17-19.