As we continue to celebrate the Advent Season, one can’t help but notice that this season is all about a demonstration. The events that lead up to the birth of Christ reveals God’s miraculous power and at the same time offers us some things we need for life in the here and now.

In week 1 we focused on hope. We learned that hope in Jesus Christ provides mercy and deliverance for sinners because God is always faithful to keep His covenants.

In week 2 we focused on peace. We learned—as sinners separated from the hope provided by Jesus Christ, we basically live hostile towards God, therefore…we need peace.

This morning our focus will be on love. A love that has been revealed by God through a demonstration for the ages. Often times—whenever you want to clearly present a message…you’ll use some form of demonstration to drive the point home. (For example: The pillar of cloud & fire in the Exodus.)

This is certainly true concerning the overall message of the Bible. The Bible teaches that God loves us and He demonstrated that through the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. God’s love for us motivated Him to act in our behalf in such a way that we can each live day by day with a great sense of hope and peace concerning both the present and the future.  

Let’s look at 3 passages this morning in order to help us better understand how God has revealed His great love for us.

1. God’s love declared. [John 3:16]

In this verse, Jesus declares the Father’s love for us…”For God so loved the world.” There’s something about us, Jesus says, God’s unique creation that has captured His heart and motivated Him to act in our behalf. God wants us to know that He loves us. Think about it—when a declaration of love is made…it changes a relationship. It moves from casual acquaintance to commitment.

Let’s put this in a human context for a moment. In a relationship between a man and a woman—when a declaration of love is made between the two…the relationship takes on a new dynamic. A dynamic that usually leads to a marriage covenant that changes the rest of their lives.  

God’s declaration of love is at the heart of the gospel. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1:19-20 that we all have a casual understanding that God exists. It’s when we learn of His great love for us –revealed in the birth of His Son…the opportunity for a new dynamic in the relationship is made available.

It’s only because of God’s love for us that we even have an opportunity to experience a covenant relationship with Christ. A covenant established by Jesus at Calvary and one that will last for all eternity. Praise God that He loves us.

2. God’s love defined. [1 John 4:10]

When you begin to read the Bible, in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 you discover that God has created a paradise for man to live in. They are in perfect fellowship with their creator.  It’s when you move into chapter 3 we learn that something has gone wrong. Sin has entered paradise.

By the end of chapter 3—man has been set outside of God’s paradise and separated from the perfect fellowship with the Creator he had once enjoyed. Not only that—but we see the first sign of death that God had said would follow sin when Adam and Eve are given garments made from animal skins. This is a picture of the animal sacrifice in the O.T. and eventually the sacrifice of Christ that John makes reference to here in our Scripture passage.

Love is often defined by a sacrifice. Jacob gave Laban, his father-in-law, twenty years of his life because of his love for Rachel (Gen 31:38). Ruth gave up her family and country because of her love for Naomi (Ruth 1). And John tells us here that God is willing to sacrifice His one and only Son for you and for me.

John says, “This is love!” God’s love is an objective love. A love that has God Himself as its source. He’s declared His love for us in John 3:16 and here in 1 John 4:10 He’s defined love for us.    

3. God’s love demonstrated. [Romans 5:8]

This is an amazing verse that contains some powerful truths—let me point out a couple for us this morning.

A) God’s love for us was on public display. The guilt and shame of our sin was poured out in the full wrath of God on His Son at Calvary. He took our punishment…we got His privileges in return (2 Cor 5:21). Paul says this is a demonstration of God’s love for us.

B) God’s love is available even to His enemies. The Bible says that sinners live hostile towards God…it’s as if they are His enemies. Yet—God sent His son to die for them. Another demonstration of His love for us.  

We’ve mentioned each week thus far in the Advent Season that our prayer is that you will discover for the first time, or…rediscover what God has done through the birth of His Son. These 3 things we’ve mentioned this morning I trust will help you in your discovery.

The birth of Christ is a declaration of God’s love for us. He’s looking to change the relationship you have with Him. Add a new dynamic. Take it to a new personal level. The birth of Christ has defined God’s love for us. His definition includes a sacrifice. A sacrifice that is precious to Him. His Son Jesus Christ. The One of whom He said…This is My Son, whom I love (Mat 3:17).

The birth of Christ is a demonstration for the ages that clearly speaks of God’s love for us. The birth of Christ is the first act in a series of events that will ultimately make reconciliation with God a possibility. His birth leads to a sinless life that makes Him the perfect sacrifice for our sin and His resurrection from the grave proves that He has power over death. All of this and more was put on public display so that the world could that God—through Christ has offered man hope, peace, and love.