Finding Christmas Series – 1. Find LOVE
Pastor Phil Derstine 12-11-22
Matthew 1:18-25 – The birth of Jesus Christ
Christ is IN us – God’s gift of the Holy Spirit from Heaven
· Matthew 1:23 “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
· John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you.”
· Colossians 1:26 “The mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints; (27)… Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Christ is LOVE – God sent His gift of Love
· John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
· I John 4:9 “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”
· I John 4:16 God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
· John 3:5 “Jesus answered (Nicodemus), I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God sunless he is born of water and the Spirit. (6) Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
What Love looks like – The Character and personality of God
· Galatians 5:22-23“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
· I Corinthians 13:1 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
· I Corinthians 13:4-8 (16 characteristics of love) “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”
· I Corinthians 13:13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
· Matthew 5:38-44 “You have heard that it was said, Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
· I Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
