The Gift: God’s Affection

The Gift: God’s Affection

Opening Illustration:

Do you remember the classic Christmas cartoon, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”? It is always one of my favorite things to watch during this Christmas season. Originally aired back in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a year fixture on our television sets. Recently I heard that there were executives that were trying to have the cartoon banned for it’s offensive nature. Offensive? Really? 

Do you remember the story. Charlie Brown was working to get into the Christmas Spirit. He purchases a sad little Christmas tree. Everyone makes fun of Charlie Brown. Even his faithful pal Snoopy laughs at him and mocks him. Towards the end of the show, Charlie Brown screams for someone to share with him the real meaning of Christmas. 

The next part is what troubles television executives.   

Linus begins to recite Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus. This child’s cartoon does a great job of reminding the viewer that Christmas is so much more than the purchase of a tree, Santa Claus, and presents. Christmas is ultimately about Jesus Christ being sent to earth to save mankind through the cross. 

What’s interesting about A Charlie Brown Christmas is that while television executives clamor to have it removed, the viewership continues to grow year over year. Why do you think that is? Could it be nostalgia? Sure. It is a tradition. I think that there is something a little deeper on display. I believe that people over the years become jaded with Christmas. This cartoon reminds us all that this season isa bout the greatest gift ever…Jesus! People are hungry for Jesus and subconsciously they know it. 

Point:

Over the past two weeks, we have be talking about the gifts of Christmas. Jesus is of course the gift, but what’s in the package? What has Jesus given to us during this time of His birth. Two weeks ago we talked about Jesus giving us the gift of animation. He has given us life. Last week during our Christmas performance, we learned that Jesus has given us the gift of illumination. Jesus shines in our darkness and reveals to us our sin. Today, we are learning about the gift of Jesus’ affection. Brothers and sisters, Jesus loves you and has great affection for you. 

Fill in these blanks this morning…

God’s Christmas Gifts: Animation, Illumination, and Affection!

Background and Context:

John is the last Gospel penned as it came several years after the other "synoptic" Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. Like the rest of the Gospels, John covered the events of Jesus' birth and death, His teachings, works, and the plan of redemption. John wrote to a Church in turmoil, where the first generation of witnesses and Christians were dying out and the new generation was taking over. He was filling in the gaps to give more evidence and detail to prove Jesus was the Son of God--and more. He is the One True Lord God Creator and Messiah, the Eternal God who is LORD, and yet the quintessential example of living for God's glory and humble service. 

The main theme is "evangelistic," that Jesus, the One to believe and trust in for life and salvation, performed unprecedented signs and wonders and rose from the dead to prove His status. He is the "Logos," the Word, the Eternal God Creator and Redeemer who condescended from His magnificent place of preeminence in the universe to become the God-Man so to identify with us, pay our debt of sin, and give us undeserved redemption.

So, let’s read from John 1:6-13 this morning about Jesus, the one who loves us more than anything!

John 1:6-13 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1 Captures God’s Affection For YOU!

I. John’s Witness vs. 6-8

John 1:6-8 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

Point:

John the Baptist is one of the most fascinating characters in the entire Bible. Why is John’s existence an act of love on God’s behalf for us this morning? Well you have to look a little deeper into the person of John. John existence gives us hope today and a path to follow. John’s life is a patter that points us to the love of Christ. Let me show you. 

Learning About God’s Love Through John The Baptist

A. John’s Purpose In Life…Point

In Luke 1:16 we learn that before John was even born, he had a purpose. Listen to Luke’s words, “16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah…”. John’s purpose in life, before he was ever born, was to point people to Christ. With every act, with ever thought, with every word, John’s life was going to boil down to this one central truth, point people to Jesus! Brothers and sisters, that is our purpose as well. A.W. Tozer, one of my favorite writers says that our greatest purpose in life is to “know Christ and make Him known.” God reveals His love for John and for us by imparting to us our purpose. Our purpose in life is to know Christ and make Him know. We are here on planet earth right now to point others to Christ. Wonder know more why you are here, why you exist. Your life’s purpose is to be a witness for Christ. 

B. John’s Pursuit in Life…Preach

Again, go back to Luke 1:17 and we discover how John was going to make Christ known. Luke tells us that John would “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just…”. John would point others to Christ through preaching boldly. Well preacher, I am not called to preach. I am not called to proclaim. Speaking is not my gift. I am more of a pew sitter, a follower, I am no leader. That was John’s job, not mine. 

You sure about that?

Let me explain that God reveals His love for us in John’s existence by providing for us the example of working for the King, teaching for the King, and preaching for the King. Following the stoning of Stephen we read in Acts 8:1, “And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” And what did those ordinary believers do?  Acts 8:4 tells us:  “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” They went about sharing the gospel with others. Normal people. People with varying spiritual gifts. They were all called to preach and proclaim Christ’s love. 

Noted historian Kenneth Latourette makes this observation about the spread of the gospel:

“The chief agents in the expansion of Christianity appear not to have been those who made it a profession or a major part of their occupation, but men and women who earned their livelihood in some purely secular manner and spoke of their faith to those whom they met in this natural fashion.”

Point:

So, what does that mean for you today? If you are a fireman, you put out fires and preach Jesus. If you are a student, you study and preach Jesus. If you own your own lawn care business, you cut grass and…Preach Jesus! That’s right. You don’t  have to preach like I do. You can preach your way. Just preach!

C. John’s Passion In Life…People

Point:

John reminds us that John’s passion while he lived on earth was to be a forerunner to Jesus. He was paving a way for the message of Christ. You could imagine a farmer and a plow. John was the farmer who entered the field with the plow. The field were people. The plow was the message of God. God would use John to go to people, preach repentance, literally tilling the soil of people’s hearts. Jesus would come later and germinate the seed of John’s message. 

John had a passion for people because John knew that people have eternal value. John’s message was not just to the down and out but also to the up and in. John knew that ever person is a sinner and that we all stand equally needing salvation at the foot of the cross. 

Friend, what is your passion? Is it a hobby? Could it be a boat? Could it be your kid’s sports? None of those are bad or evil but our greatest passion should be people because Jesus died for people. John’s message was for people. 

Point: 

Believe it or not, God shows us a great deal of love through the example of John. Imagine for a second that you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what you were created for and what your purpose was. How might that change your existence? What if you knew exactly what you were to do and be here on planet earth? Think for a second how much peace you would have if you were assured of that. Oh friends, John’s life is our example! Point people to Jesus. Preach the Word of God no matter your vocational job. Remember God loves people and so should we.

Jeremiah 31:3 ESV

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

John 1 Captures God’s Affection For YOU!

I. John’s Witness vs. 6-8

II. Jesus’ War vs. 9-11

John 1:9-11 ESV

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

Point:

Some 2000 years ago the greatest invasion in the history of the planet occurred. A war actually born out of love. An almighty rescue mission of Biblical proportions. We often mark this event with songs, snow, trees, presents, and lights. Indeed it was a time of great joy and great light. The gift, Jesus had been sent to earth. He was and is Immanuel, God with us. During this season we remember the beautiful parts of the story but we never seem to remember the worldly Satanic revolt to God’s invasion. We don’t talk about the infantile genocide perpetrated by an evil King. We don’t focus much on the clueless inn keeper who missed the sign that Jesus was coming into the world. We don’t talk about a family on the run to Egypt hoping to save their lives. While the angels are singing, trust me, the demons were screaming. 

Make no mistake, this invasion of God to earth set off a violent chain reaction in the spiritual world that signaled war from heaven to hell. God was coming to save people through Jesus Christ and Satan was going to do everything he could to foil that plan. 

What image does the mention of Christmas typically conjure up? For most of us, it's a babe lying in a manger while Mary and Joseph, angels and assorted beasts, look on. It's a heartwarming picture—Jesus in swaddling clothes. But Christmas is about much more than a child's birth—even the Savior's birth. It is about the Incarnation: God himself, Creator of heaven and earth, the ultimate reality, becoming flesh.

This is a staggering thought. The Jews believed the Messiah would arrive as a king on a stallion with a flashing sword. But God, who delights in confounding worldly wisdom, dealt with Satan's cruel reign with a quiet invasion of planet Earth. Instead of sending a mighty army, he chose an unknown, teenage virgin.

Thirty years after his humble birth, Jesus increased the Jews' befuddlement when he told his followers, "The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news" (Mark 1:15).

In effect, the carpenter's son had just announced that he was the king—an outrageous claim to the Jews, and so radical that people wanted to kill him that very day. Again the evil world revolted against Jesus. Even his own family would reject Him.

This Christmas, go ahead and decorate your tree and arrange the figures of your yard nativity. But do so in the light of this beautiful and earth-shaking truth: The birth of the baby in the manger was the thrilling signal that God had invaded planet Earth.

Point:

Oh what love God has for us that He sent Jesus to earth, not as a conquering force, but as a quiet hero, a baby. Jesus came to the low, the bottom, so that everyone might hear His message of salvation. Know this, while He game as a baby, His return will be drastically different. 

The first time Jesus came unnoticed into the world, the second time “every eye will see him.” In his first coming Jesus humbled himself, being born in a stable in Bethlehem. When he returns, he will come back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In his first coming he endured the mockery of men who despised him for his goodness. Although he was the Son of God, he allowed them to put him to death, that he might thereby provide salvation for the world. When he comes again, all mockery will cease for he will rule the nations with a rod of iron. He came the first time as the Lamb of God; he comes again as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Two thousand years ago the religious leaders shouted in scorn, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!” (Matthew 24:42). The day is coming when the whole world will see Jesus as he really is. When that happens, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

What an awesome day that will be!

Hebrews 9:28 ESV

So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

John 1 Captures God’s Affection For YOU!

I. John’s Witness vs. 6-8

II. Jesus’ War vs. 

III. Jesus’ Works vs. 12-13

John 1:12-13 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Point:

Now this is the ultimate act of God’s love for us. To those who receive Christ, those who believe in His name, he gives adoption to be His children. It is the clear picture of earthy adoption. Something that I know something about. Jett is my son even though he does not share my DNA. He has been adopted into my family not by any work that he did but because of the work that Angela and I have done on his behalf. Because of this, he is my son and has access to an inheritance, home, and new name. He even gained a new country. Talk about a good trade. 

In spiritual terms we call this regeneration. When we accept Christ, something that was dead is us becomes alive. 

Regeneration is a radical change. Just as our physical birth resulted in a new individual entering the earthly realm, our spiritual birth results in a new person entering the heavenly realm. After regeneration, we begin to see and hear and seek after divine things; we begin to live a life of faith and holiness. Now Christ is formed in the hearts; now we are partakers of the divine nature, having been made new creatures. God, not man, is the source of this transformation. God’s great love and free gift, His rich grace and abundant mercy, are the cause of the rebirth. The mighty power of God—the power that raised Christ from the dead—is displayed in the regeneration and conversion of sinners.

Another way of saying this is to be “born again”. 

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Point:

Have you encountered this Jesus? Do you know Him? Have you been adopted in to His family? Let me show you the way!

Point:

So, what is the path?

A.  Admit That You Are A Sinner

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

B. Believe That Jesus Is God's Son

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

C. Confess Jesus As Lord And Savior

Romans 10:13 (NIV)

for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Turn This Information Into Your Christmas Inspiration!