Gateway Visalia
Advent: Preparing our hearts for Christmas
Matthew 1:18-23, 1 John 4:8-11 Pastor Lance Ainsworth December 19th & 22nd, 2024 Love.
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Sunday 11:29 AM
Introduction:
Matthew 1:18-23 NASB
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means
Why was Jesus sent to the world?
John 3:16-17 NASB
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
1 John 4:8-11 NASB
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
10 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. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
10 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. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
v. 8 - God’s love is UNCONDITIONAL.
v. 9 - God’s love is TRANSFORMATIONAL.
v. 10 - God’s love includes TRUTH and
JUSTICE.
JUSTICE.
v. 11 - God’s love involves REGIFTING.
Advent: Preparing our hearts for Christmas
Matt. 1:18-23, 1 Jn. 4:8-11
December 19
Love.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Is love a feeling, action, or both?
Read Aloud: Matt. 1:18-23, 1 Jn. 4:8-11
1. v.8 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” How does God’s love differ from culture’s view of love? Is love and tolerance the same thing?
2. v.9 “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” How has God’s love transformed your life? Do you believe that life had a governor on it before you experienced new life in Christ?
3. v.10 “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.” How does God’s truth and justice coexist with His love? How can God be both judge and savior?
4. v.11 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Do you believe that we must love others as receivers of God’s love? Is this a natural action or a spiritual discipline?