Love is something more than just a word, but a .
The mission of Jesus was the of God’s love.
It’s much easier to love the than it is the .
The cultural symbol for love is a ❤️
The Bible’s symbol of love is a ✞
God loves the world with the self-less, costly love of . In response, Christians should not love the world with the selfish love of .
“If love is the soul of Christian existence, it must be at the heart of every other Christian virtue. Thus, for example, justice without love is legalism; faith without love is ideology; hope without love is self-centeredness; forgiveness without love is self-abasement; fortitude without love is recklessness; generosity without love is extravagance; care without love is mere duty; fidelity without love is servitude. Every virtue is an expression of love. No virtue is really a virtue unless it is permeated, or informed, by love.” Richard Rohr
Sermon Talks
- What caught your attention in this week’s message? Was there something you had never heard before or something you had a question about?
- When was the last time you said, “This was the best Christmas ever?” What made you say that? What is the standard, for you, for a Christmas to be the best ever?
- What are some of the most loving experiences you have ever had? Who was present? What were the circumstances? What made the experience so memorable and transformative?
- Love came to earth in the form of a person, Jesus Christ. If you have put your faith in Jesus, how has your life changed as a result? How has God shown you love through that relationship?
- Many of us have read or heard John 3:16 many times. Did you learn anything different about that verse in the message today? If so, what was it?
- Read Romans 3:7-8. What do those verses mean to you?
- What is the meaning of the ‘monkey jar’ illustration? What are you clutching onto? Is your hand still in the ‘monkey jar’ so to speak? If so, why?
- How do you respond to the following statements? God loves the world with the self-less, costly love of redemption. In response, Christians should not love the world with the selfish love of participation.
Consider making this prayer a part of your prayer life:
God, you are love, and you love me. Help me to know the inexpressible, glorious joy of being known and loved by you. May I love others because you have loved me and may that love truly bring me to the joy of my salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.