CHRISTMAS IS SPELLED L-O-V-E

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:8-11 NKJV).

The source of love – “God is Love” (v. 8) - Human love is selfish and biased, and is often based on impure motives, i.e. what it hopes to receive in return! God’s love on the other hand is pure, holy, and always seeking what is best for its object. His love is given freely without the hope or desire for anything in return. God loves, because He is love! His love is an “everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3), and His love is always given first (cf. 1 John 4:19). His love is precious beyond words!

The scope of love – “God so loved us” (v. 11) – The word “so” describes the scope and depth of God’s love. It describes the manner of His love for fallen men. It was His deep love that motivated Him to send His Son to die for the lost. This is uncommon love! By its very definition, this love is no ordinary love! It is a special love that seeks to give itself away on behalf of the objects loved. Of course, this should not surprise us, after all, for to love is God’s nature (cf. 1 John 4:8, 16). We need to understand that no one is beyond the scope of His love! And there is nothing that the believer can do to make God stop loving us (cf. Rom. 8:38-39)

The sacrifice of God’s love – “He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (v. 10). The true value of love lies in what love is willing to give to the objects it loves. God’s love is not static or self-centered! His love prompted Him to do something for the people He loves! God’s love is seen in the gracious gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus on the cross. The death of the Lord Jesus for sinners is the greatest, most visible and the absolute final word concerning God’s love for humanity (cf. Rom. 5:8; John 15:13). All we need to do is to look no farther than the cross of Calvary to see the extent of God’s love! Thus, the true meaning of Christmas is love!

(Adapted from The Sermon Notebook)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Christmas: the Son of God expressing the love of God to save us from the wrath of God so we could enjoy the presence of God!”

John Piper (1946 - )

American Pastor, Theologian, Author and Seminary Chancellor

Word Study

False apostles

In 2 Cor. 11:13 we read, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ” (NKJV).

“False apostles” is the Greek word pseudapóstolos (ψευδαπόστολος = psyoo-dap-os'-tol-os). It is made up of two words: “pseudes” which means lying, false, and “apostolos” which means one sent. Thus, the word means a false apostle, one who falsely claims to be an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word is found only here in the New Testament. It refers one who claims to be an apostle without the divine commission necessary for the work. It speaks of a deliberately deceptive person pretending to be an apostle. Here false apostles are called “ministers” of Satan (v. 15). Such a title demonstrates the serious nature of their false teaching. The exact nature of their error is not clear, but the apostle Paul openly condemned them for preaching “another Jesus,” “a different spirit,” and “a different gospel” (v. 4). The result of their teaching was that the Corinthians were being led away from “the simplicity that is in Christ” (v. 3). Though they appeared busy in the work of the Lord Jesus, they were serving themselves. And like the one they served, regardless of how pure and wonderful they may have appeared on the outside, they were corrupt.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10 KJV).

Did You Know…

The Lord Jesus was 40 days old (7 + 33) when He was presented at the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:22-24; cf. Lev. 12:1-4).

Bible Quiz

What type of animal was sacrificed at the Temple as part of the purification rite of Mary?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: Who was the prophet that foretold a virgin shall give birth to a Son called Immanuel? The prophet Isaiah (Isa. 7:14).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

Christ’s heel would be bruised with nails on the cross

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen. 3:15 NJKV).

Here we have the second Messianic prophecy in Gen. 3:15. This is undoubtedly a reference to the crucifixion. And so, the ‘bruising of the heel’ is set in contrast to the ‘bruising of the head.’ Yet the serpent’s “bruise” did not spell the end of the “seed” of the woman. The Lord Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave on the third day, breaking the power of death and winning the ultimate victory. With the cross, the Lord Jesus “crushed” the devil’s head, defeating him forever. Satan bruised the Lord Jesus’ “heel,” but the Lord Jesus showed complete dominance over Satan by bruising his “head.” He destroyed Satan’s power and lordship over man, turning man back to God.

Stories of Favorite Christmas Carols

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” was originally written in Latin with a title of “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel” dating back to 1710. It is one of the oldest carols and is of unknown authorship. However, what is interesting is that many outside the Roman Catholic tradition may not realize that the text of this hymn is rooted in an ancient liturgical observance known as the “O Antiphons.” An “antiphon,” is a verse that gives emphasis to what follows, such as a prayer, psalm, Scripture or canticle. The “O Antiphons” are sung in the days leading up to Christmas during evening prayer in the Roman Catholic Church’s Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), before and after the Magnificat, in a tradition that dates back as early as the 8th Century! The words of this song were considered so important that a separate stanza was assigned to each of the most pious monks, to be sung from December 16th to December 23rd.

Each of the verses refers to a Messianic title for the Lord Jesus Christ, using Biblical imagery drawn from the Old Testament to recall the whole of salvation history and anticipate the birth of Christ. The music which today accompanies the lyrics was written in 1851 by John Mason Neale. When Neale wrote the English language version of the carol, he titled it “Draw nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel,” but later modifications of the text gave us the title and verses we know today – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

The Messianic titles, in Latin and English, are:

December 17—O Sapientia (O Wisdom)

December 18—O Adonai (O Lord)

December 19—O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)

December 20—O Clavis David (O Key of David)

December 21—O Oriens (O Light from the East)

December 22—O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)

December 23—O Emmanuel (O God with Us)

A Little Humor

A guy bought his wife a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas. A friend of his said, “I thought she wanted one of those pretty 4-Wheel drive vehicles.” “She did,” he replied, “But where in the world was I going to find a fake jeep!

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Rejoice, that the immortal God is born, so that mortal man may live in eternity!”