Advent 2014 | Jesus Shapes Our Love: His Choice, His Cost, His Cross

Special Emmaus City Advent Liturgy  | Sunday, December 21, 2014 –

Jesus Shapes Our Love: His Choice, His Cost, His Cross

  

Jesus Shapes Our Love | His Choice, His Cost, His Cross Homily Audio:

For the previous Advent liturgy notes, click on the links below:

Advent 2014 | Jesus Is Our Peace: The Whole Christmas Story
Advent 2014 | Jesus Is Our Joy: Why We Need Advent

 

Jesus Shapes Our Love | His Choise, His Cost, His Cross Passage and Homily Notes

  

Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 2:1-11
1 John 3:11-18

Love showcases itself in the Christmas story. We can enter the story looking at it through the eyes of Joseph, the eyes of the wise men and finally, Jesus, who is the culmination of love. As you listen keep these things in mind:

 love is an unimaginable choice, 
love is an unpredictable journey or cost, 
and love is an undeniable cross.

(1) Love is an unimaginable choice

1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from 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 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. – Matthew 1:18-25

“The character of Joseph, the man God chose for his Son to have for an earthly father, is not only interesting, it is also instructive to us. There are many who are righteous, but who are not kind. There are many who are kind, but who are not righteous. Joseph, however, loved God and his law, and that love of God touched his heart, causing him to be a kind man. When God chose a human father for his Son, he chose a man who would be righteous and kind, qualities that reflect God the Father himself. Is that not instructive for every one of us to be like our heavenly Father, and to be like Jesus’ earthly father? Righteous and kind. Concerned for God’s law. Concerned for God’s people.” – Ligon Duncan

(2) Love is an unpredictable journey or cost

2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. – Matthew 2:1-11

“The Lord Jesus has many ‘hidden ones,’ like these wise men. … these verses show us a splendid example of spiritual diligence. What trouble it must have cost these wise men to travel from their homes to the house where Jesus was born! How many weary miles they must have journeyed! The fatigues of an Eastern traveler are far greater than we can at all understand. The time that such a journey would occupy must have been very great. The dangers to be encountered were neither few nor small. But none of these things moved them. They had set their hearts on seeing him ‘who has been born king of the Jews’ (v. 2), and they never rested till they saw him. … What does our religion cost us?” – J.C. Ryle

(3) Love is an undeniable cross

3:11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. … 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:11, 14-18

"He found a Golgotha, where He was crucified, even in Bethlehem, where He was born; for to His tenderness then the straws were almost as sharp as the thorns after, and the manger as uneasy as the cross at last. From the creche to the cross is an inseparable line. What a wonder that the eternal Word of God did not shun being born. Grace and Truth is a person – Jesus come to you in the flesh." – John Donne (1572-1631 A.D.), metaphysical poet and cleric

Jesus Shapes Our Love | His Choice, His Cost, His Cross Hymns and Songs

  Hark the Herald Angels Sing lyrics and melody

By Austin Stone Worship (original by Charles Wesley)

1739 A.D.

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

You Are God and You Are Good lyrics and melody

By Austin Stone Worship

2014 A.D. 

 

For the fatherless, we pray be the Father.

Let those who lost their way be understood.
For the widow and the broken – 
Be the Lover who will hold them.
We know that You are God and You are good.
Yes, we know that You are God and You are good.

For those who mourn today, be the comfort,

And who hunger after You, be satisfied.

You bless the poor in spirit for heaven is their kingdom.
We know that You are God and You are good.

Yes, we know that You are God and You are good. 

You are God, You're the risen King.
You are good, Lord of everything.
No mountain, no valley could ever separate us from Your love.
You are God and You are good.
Yes, we know that You are God and You are good.

As we look upon Your Word, God give us vision.
Restore us by the power of Your blood.
Come now, Holy Spirit – when You whisper let us hear it.
We know that You are God and You are good.
Yes, we know that you are God and you are good.

So come now in power!
And let our chains be broken!

Pour out Your Spirit!

Jesus, our hearts are open!

You are God, You're the risen King.

You are good, Lord of everything.

No mountain, no valley could ever separate us from Your love.

No power, no darkness, could ever stand between us!

No mountain, no valley could ever separate us from Your love!

You are God and You are good.

Yes, we know that You are God and You are good. 

O Come All Ye Faithful lyrics and melodyBy Future of Forestry (original by John Wade as "Adeste Fideles")

1751 A.D. 

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Next Post: Advent 2015 | Rejoice! Jesus Comes to Bring Us Reconciliation and Restoration

– Sully

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