Over the next four Sundays we will be celebrating Advent with a different theme each Sunday. Today’s
hope, peace, and joy. The word advent in Latin means coming. Not only do we celebrate the first coming of Jesus some two thousand years ago, but we also anticipate His second coming. Both His first coming and His second coming were and are a promise- One fulfilled and one yet to be. The reason Jesus came the first time was because of love, and the reason He will come the second time is because of love. Coming the first time to make a way of salvation and the second to receive all who experienced that salvation. His coming was foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament, and the people waited for years to see the promised Messiah who was Emmanuel, which means, “God with us.” Let us look at three passages of scripture from the many that speak concerning His love.

God’s Love, Sent Him:
     For God so loved he world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

     This is probably one of the best known Bible verses. The word Love in this verse is from the Greek word agape. Agape love is the strongest type a love one can have. In reality, only God alone has the ability to love in this way. It is a deep, intense, unadulterated, and the purest love described in the Bible. It is the make up and nature of God. I have tried many times but cannot adequately explain this love God has for us. It is a love beyond reason and makes little sense as to why God would choose to send his Son knowing he was going to die for our sins. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

God’s Love, Calls Us His Children:
     See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1 ESV

     What a privilege to be called a child of God. We are not called children of God because we are worthy but rather because he spiritually adopted us. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!  Romans 815 ESV  This is made possible by the mercy and grace of God. The adoption was sealed by the blood of His Son on Calvary and finalized by His resurrection from the dead. That is why when we pray we can truly say with assurance, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” Matthew 6:9 ESV
 
God’s Love In Jesus’s Promised Return:
     In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:2-3 ESV

     God is faithful in his love for us. Everything He has made possible for us will not be fully known until this earthly body rests in sleep. God wants us to come live with Him in His house. Why? Love! Love that is beyond understanding. When God being God could have made any other choice, He chose to redeem us unto himself. When Satan desired to destroy, God desired to build. He built a bridge across the chasm of sin that  we might cross into His presence forgiven of all our sin. He chose to die for us rather than to live without us. So as a Christian your room is being built and one day you will check in because of the Love God the Father has for you.

Let me close with the words of Jesus concerning His second coming, “Surely I am coming soon.” Revelations 22:20 ESV

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David