Love: (Week 4 of 4)
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December 25, 2021
Love: (Week 4 of 4)
The topic of this fourth week of Advent is love. Excerpts of my column are taken from the book, "Unwrapping The Names Of Jesus." Written by
Asheritah Ciuciu.
We have been studying the names of Jesus, I am heading up this column with a verse which most of you are familar. John 3: 16, For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. That whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Good Shepherd
"I am the Good Shepherd," said Jesus. "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep," John 10:11. A good shepherd is completely committed to provide and protect. Knowing us intimately, leading, going before us, and personally giving us direction. He laid down his life for us, demonstrating this on the cross.
Emanuel God With Us
Matthew 1:23, The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they shall call him Emanuel, which means God with us. God created human beings with this relationship in mind. Throughout history, God has demonstrated His longing to be close to His people. Sin marred our relationship with him. He, the Creator of the world became as one of the created to humble himself to the point of death on a cross, Just to be with us forever. AMAZING LOVE!
Son Of Man
Mark 10:45, for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus emptied himself of heavenly glory, while still retaining His deity. This Son of Man was unlike any other son or daughter of man, fully God and fully man. Hebrews 1:6 records the following command of God to angels regarding His son Jesus Christ. And let all the angels of God worship Him. In Deuteronomy 32:43.
The Bible teaches that angels are never to be worshiped. Colossians 2:18 and Revelation 19:10 This command by God clearly indicates that Christ is not an angel.
Man of Sorrows
Isaiah 53:3, He was despised and rejected by men. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The emotional agony of being separated by a loved one is HUGE.
The emotional response of denial is the first Stage of grief. Denial that there is a God can be a replacement or an emotional protector when dealing with the fear of divine rejection. It is easier when dealing with sin ,which separates us from God, to say God doesn't exist.
When our sin was placed on Jesus at his Crucifixion He cried out "Father why hast thou forsaken me?" He took it all on himself for you. We are completely undeserved of this payment made for us. Which isn't automatically given. We in repentance need to claim and receive His gift of himself.
Lamb of God
John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Sin requires punishment and atonement. This is why the world seeks to legalize sin. How can a wrong be made right? Two wrongs don't make a right either! We cry for justice. Can righteousness and sin live together? The only way is with a link of forgiveness and regeneration. The divine plan was just that, to prepare and open a way for us to enter into God's presence, completing us through his grace.
Our worthiness is obtained through the sacrifice of His Eternal Son, Jesus Christ the spotless Lamb of God.
Not cheap grace by any means, but costly grace. Not temporary oversight but eternal reconciliation. God doesn't ignore our sin He acknowledges it and has made provision through His own eternal son.
Merry
Christmas!
UPDATE: Roseau Times - Region has received 25 years of manuscripted sermons. These sermons were preached by Pastor Joe Elick while he was pastoring the Roseau Evangelical Church. These sermons will be published each week. We hope you will share this opportunity with your friends, and personally be encouraged by their content. You will be able to obtain these sermons either with a subscription on line, or a printed copy, mailed to your home.
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