Sermon 3 - Love Brings Hope - Startled by Christ's Love

8/14/2019 Sermon 3 - Love Brings Hope - Startled by Christ's Love

1/8

SERMON

LOVE BRINGS HOPESTARTLED BY CHRISTS LOVE 2010

CALLED 2 LOVE

FOCAL SCRIPTURES:

RESOURCES NEEDED:

Acts 27:10-24

Hebrews 11:1

Colossians 3:16

Matthew 18:4

Psalm 23

NOTES:

Love Brings HopeStartled by Christs Love

FOCAL SCRIPTURES:

Luke 23:34,43

John 19:26,27

Romans 5:5

OUTLINE:

I. Introduction

II. Christs love brings hope

to troubled lives.

III. Christs love, demon-strated through us, canbring hope to our pain-

filled world.

IV. Christs love empowers

our message of hope.

Jesus did amazing things while He washere on earth. He drew large crowdsbecause of His miracles and unconven-tional teachings. Christ even startled

people by the things He said:

To the lame man, He said, Arise, take up

your stretcher and go home (Luke 5:24).

To the man with a withered hand, Jesus said,

Stretch out your hand (Mark 3:1).

To his friend, Lazarus who had laid in thegrave for four long days, Jesus said, Come

forth! (John 11:43).

Jesus must have even startled His parentsafter they had been looking frantically fortheir missing Son. At the age of twelve,

Jesus announced, I must be about My

Fathers business! (Luke 2:49).

Jesus also startled many people by the

things that He did:

Christ turned water into wine.

(John 2:9)

He walked on water.

(John 6:19)

Jesus cast demons into swine.

(Mark 5:11-13)

He raised loved ones from the dead.

(John 11:43-44)

But theres something more importantthan all of these amazing words andmiracles: Jesus startled people with His

love!

Christs words were startling and Hismiracles amazing, but everything He saidand everything He did was meant to call

attention to how He (God) loved.

Introduction: Its on this day, that we celebrate the startling love ofJesus from Calvary and the message of hope from the Garden Tomb. Calvaryand the empty tomb bring us hope in our darkest hours, hope for life now and

life eternal.

Sermon Notes

Lets take a moment now to reflect on howJesus loved people and how He startled others

with demonstrations of His love.

Jesus startled lepers by healing theirdisease-ravaged bodies and bringingdignity to their lives. Christs healing lovewas practical and yet startling, since Hewas even known to touch lepers in orderto heal them. Not even the terrifyingdisease of leprosy (with all its physicalmanifestations and social stigma)

prevented Jesus from demonstrating His

extravagant love (Luke 5:12, 13, 17:11-19).

Christ startled the Samaritan womanwhen He broke all cultural conventions byasking her for a drink of water. In themidst of her shame and rejection, theSavior entrusted her with a conversationabout eternal things (John 4:4-26). Thisseemingly simple interaction showed what

lengths to which Christ would go todemonstrate His love.

Jesus also startled the woman caught inadultery when He knelt down beside her,

joined her at the point of her hurt andprovided protection for her life. Christdispersed her accusers and then offeredthe woman restoration as He lovingly said,Woman, where are they? Has no onecondemned you? Neither do I condemnyou. Go now and leave your life ofsin (John 8:10-11). Christ rescued asinner and restored a life, all the while

confirming His startling love.

KEY TRUTH:

KEY WORDS FOR

FURTHER STUDY:

ambassador

forgiveness

acceptance

support

When we draw close toChrist and frequently reflecton His startling love in ourown lives, overwhelminggratitude will fill our hearts.Its gratitude for His love thatwill empower our love of

others.


2/8

SERMON


CALLED 2 LOVE

Notes:

Sermon Notes

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Christs love brought hope to those Heloved. The lepers were healed and were

able to rejoin their families and community.The Samaritan womans sense of worth wasrestored, and to such an extent, that shereturned to give testimony to all who wouldlisten. The woman caught in adultery wasrescued from the certainty of shame anddeath and yet must have been overcomewith the joy of her new-found freedom and

restoration.

Each page of the Gospels is filled withencounters of Christs startling love and

the hope He brought to troubled lives.

And now as we reflect this Easter season onthe gift of Christ at Calvary, lets considersome of Christs final words from the cross.These too, reflect the startling love of Jesus.Even at the point of His death, Christ

was still startling others with His love:

Imagine how Jesus must have startledthe Roman soldiers who stood beneathHis cross. The very men who hadmocked Him, tortured Him, driven nailsinto His hands and feet, and gambled forHis clothing, would have heard Jesussay, Father, forgive them, for they donot know what they are doing (Luke

23:34).

Consider the thief who was crucifiednext to Jesus. After a lifetime of decep-tion and sinful choices, the man musthave been startled to hear Jesus wordsofacceptance: Today, you will be

with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).

And finally, lets recall one of Christs finalencounters with His mother, Mary. Jesus

looked down from the cross and saw Hismother standing with His beloved disciple,John. Once again, Christ displayed Hisstartling, supportive love. Jesus lookedahead to His approaching death and madeprovision for His mother, Dear woman,here is your son, and to John, Here isyour mother. And as confirmation of thisprovision, the Bible says that from that dayforward, Mary lived in the house of John

(John 19:26, 27).

Today is the day that we celebrate the amazingdemonstration of love through Christs deathat Calvary., confirmed by the empty tomb. Yeteven as we recall Christs words from thecross, we see His amazing forgiveness, accep-

tance, support and love for others.

Colossians 3:16 Preparation:

Let the word of Christ dwell deeply in you.

Pastor: Take a few moments to consider yourown life and how Christs love has touchedyou. How has He startled you (like the soldiersat Calvary) with His unconditional forgiveness?

Just like the thief on the cross, how has Christ

extended His acceptance for you at a point offailure? And just like Mary, how has Jesusprovided His support for you during a time ofstruggle? Pastor, consider sharing these timesas part of your own testimony of how God hasdemonstrated His startling love for you. Letthis vulnerable testimony of hope become a

part of your sermon.

Personal Application: You may behere today with these same needs. You too,may need Christs forgiveness, His acceptanceor His support. Our encouragement for youtoday is: Dont leave this place today without

allowing Him to meet your needs!

And hope does not disappoint us, because

God has poured out his love into ourhearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has

given us (Romans 5:5).

Christs Love Brings Hope to Troubled Lives


3/8

SERMON


CALLED 2 LOVE

Notes:

In this short movie

clip, Tylers motheris struggling with the

overwhelming pain ofher sons impendingdeath. Lets watch asMaddie shares adifficult truth withher own Mother.Maddie apparently knows the right Bibleverses, but she needs something more!Watch and consider what you might say to

this grief-stricken mom?

Insert Letters to God movie clip

When people are struggling, what do theyneed? If its not enough just to give Bible

verses, then what does it look like to care?

We are therefore Christs ambassadors, asthough God were making his appeal through us.We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled

to God(2 Corinthians 5:20).

This verse explains that people all around usneed compassionate ambassadors of Christs

love. They need Bible verses with skin on!

Could you join me in this goal? Could you

stand with me in this hearts desire?

That our church family would be morewidely known as a Community ofHopea place where Christs forgive-ness, acceptance and support are

abundantly available.

Heres our opportunity:As we go about our daily routine, we have

the incredible opportunity to be an ambassa-dor of Godan ambassador that loves and

cares like Jesus!

Whether we encounter a friend who isexperiencing sickness or dealing with thedeath of a loved one, a family member whois making destructive choices, or someonewho is simply feeling alone, each of us has the

privilege to offer Christs startling love.

Christs Love, Demonstrated

Through Us, Can Bring Hope to Our

Pain-filled World

In case were not convinced that ourworld needs the startling love and hope of

Jesus, just think

Sermon Notes

NOTES:

Page 3

Christs Love, Demonstrated Through Us, CanBring Hope to Our Pain-filled World

Letters to GodDuring the next 60 minutes, it is estimated

that (within the United States):

More than150 people will be

diagnosed with cancer

At least 64 people will die from

cancer

10 people will die from alcohol abuse

2 people will die from illicit sexual

behavior

2 people will die from illicit drug use

3 people will die from suicide

5 people will die from traffic accidents

Heres an important question for each of

us:

Would you and I know how to share thecompassionate love of Christ to a familymember or friend who was touched byissues like these? Would we know what tosay to friends who have dealt with thesepainful circumstances? How would wecare for them? How would we show them

Christs love?

Think about what you might say to some-one who has just been diagnosed withcancer. Contemplate what you might sayto a mom whos son or daughter has been

given only months to live.

Before were sure of our answer, lets

watch a clip from Letters to God.


4/8

SERMON


CALLED 2 LOVE

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Sermon Notes

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And after each encounter with the Christwho lives inside us, peoples lives can be

filled with new-found hope.

Christs Love Empowers Our Message

of Hope

Lets remember again Christs startling love

at Calvary. He ...

Forgave those who had wounded

and rejected Him.

Accepted a thief before he hadchanged.

Supported His mother, even while

suffering excruciating pain and sacrificingHimself for all of humanity.

Think of Christs loving initiative. RememberHis forgiveness, acceptance and support.Then pause to review the people who are apart of your life. You have been placed inyour family, in your place of work, and inyour community as His ambassador. Jesuslongs to share His love and hope throughyou. Christ wants to demonstrate Hisforgiveness and acceptance through you. Hewants to communicate His support through

your actions and your words.

Experiencing the Word: Speak Lord

thy servant listens (I Sam 3:8-9).

Lets pause quietly before the Lord and askGod to bring a name or a face to your mind.Ask God to speak to you about someonewho needs to encounter a compassionate

ambassador. Ask God to show you a personwho might need your demonstration of His

forgiveness, acceptance or support.

How are we going to live as Christs ambas-sadors? It may seem impossible for you toarrive at a place where you could offer hopeto others when youre just getting by your-self. So where are we going to get the

power to live a life of caring for others?

The message of Easter gives us our answer.

First, Easter shows us the ultimate gift ofgracious compassion and a message of hope.Hope is ours because in spite of His

tremendous personal pain, Christ startledpeople with His love. What might that look like

on a human level?

A final, short clip from Letters To Goddepicts an8-year-old boy as an ambassador for Christ. Inspite of his tremendous personal pain, even ashe struggles with his own mortality, Tyler is ona mission from Godhe is thinking of others

around him and their need of Christ.

Insert Clip from Letters to God

Easter also shows us that death and the gravewere powerless in the face of Gods love. It isthis same power that will enable us to live asHis ambassadors. But how will we access this

power?

When we draw close to Christ and frequentlyreflect on His startling love in our own lives,overwhelming gratitude will fill our hearts. Itsgratitude for His love that will empower our

love of others.

Christs Love Empowers Our Message of Hope


5/8

SERMON


CALLED 2 LOVE

Notes:

Sermon Notes

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The Hebrews writer refers to what we call,Easter when he writes:

Another priest has arisen (not on the basisof his ancestry, but ) on the basis of thepower of an indestructible life (Hebrews7:15-16). Jesus Christ is now our inter-cessor and our priest because He alone, canclaim the power of an indestructible life.And Christ, our priest, brings in a betterhope, through which we can draw near to

God (Hebrews 7:19).

The great High Priest,Jesus, is ourbetter hope through the Easter

testimony of His indestructible life!

Today is a special time to draw near to Godand celebrate the startling love of Christ

who gave Himself for you at Calvary.

Lets take a few moments and consider howstartling it is that He demonstrated a lovethat was so undeserved! He loved us whenwe were unlovable. He was moved withcompassion when, from His eternalperspective, He saw us suffering in our alien-

ation and aloneness. Christs love led Himto a painful death upon a cross in order to

make abundant provision for you and me.

Can you hear His startling cry of love forthose who betrayed, tormented, andrejected Him: Father, forgive them, forthey do not know what they are do-ing (Luke 23:34). Have you needed His

words of love and forgiveness? Have youever betrayed Him? Rejected Him or turnedagainst Him? Why dont you draw near toGod today and receive His forgiveness in a

new and special way?

Listen again as He speaks accepting wordsto the thief: Today you will be with Me inparadise (v. 43). Have you ever neededto know that you are still accepted byGod? Have their been times when youveneeded the reassurance of a welcomingChrist? Draw near to God and receive the

Saviors words, You will be with Me?

Finally, can you hear Jesus words of supportfor His mother? Can you hear His attentivecare? Have there been times when youneeded to know that Jesus noticed yourneeds and was acting on your behalf?Draw near to God today and hear Christswords of loving support for you. Jesus sees

your needs and He will lovingly provide.

Encountering JesusImagine Jesus agony on the cross. He wasprepared to take upon Himself the sins of theworld. Jesus sensed that His own Father had

turned His back on Him. He cried out with avoice that conveyed a feeling of utter abandon-ment: My God, my God, why have you for-saken me? (Mark 15:34). Yet there He hungupon a cross, startling people with His love. Hewas dying, yet He was thinking of those aroundHim...the soldier, the thief, His Mother. Jesuswas giving up His life, yet He was giving life toothersso that they might know His love.

That is the startling love of Christ.

For whom did Christ do all of this? For whomdid He suffer and die? Listen as the Spiritwhispers, He did it for you! If He did notneed to die for anyone else, He would havedone it just for you! Allow this wondrous truthto motivate you to walk in the hope of Hislove. And now would you join me in receivingHis startling love through a bold declaration offaith: He did it for me. Say it with me:He did it for me. Lets pause, be still andpersonally reflect on the startling love of Jesus

poured out for you and me.



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SERMON


CALLED 2 LOVE

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Sermon Notes

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Now since we are beneficiaries of Hisforgiveness and compassionate care andare empowered by the gratitude of howHe did it for me, lets bring this messageof hope to others around us. Humbled byHis matchless grace, we have been madepartakers of His divine love. Therefore, weare now equipped to startle others with Hislove. People around us need to see a livingmodel of Gods love in action. So during thisweek, how could you begin to startle others

with His love.

Who among your family, friends,

co-workers and acquaintances could benefitfrom . . .

His forgiveness through you (no matter

what their sin)?

His acceptance through you (even

before they change)?

His support through you (even if they

have not asked)?


Lord, M ake m e anAm bassador of Hope

Could you pray with me now?

God, may you often remind us of how you have startled us with your love. Keep usgrateful and humble. Empower us to take Your startling love of forgiveness, acceptance

and support to others around us.

God, help me to express your love to _______________ this week. I know he/she may

especially need your forgiveness/acceptance/support. Lord, make me an ambassador of

Your hope.


7/8

SERMON


CALLED 2 LOVE

Notes:

Additional Studies

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Romans 5:5

Nowhopedoes notdisappoint, because theloveof God has beenpoured outin our

heartsby the Holy Spirit who wasgivento us (Romans 5:5 NKJV).

Hope: elps1. The NT concept of hope is essentially governed by the OT. Only when the sphere issecular does the group denote (good) expectation; cf. counting upon in Luke 6:34; 1Cor. 9:10, etc., or with more of an accent on hoping Luke 23:8; 24:21; Acts 24:26;Rom. 15:24; 1 Cor. 16:7. The OT element of trust is strong when the relation is to per-sons, as in 2 Cor. 1:3; 5:11; 13:6. Trust in persons is the point in 1 Cor. 13:7, though itrests on trust in God (v. 13).2. When fixed on God, hope embraces expectation, trust, and patient waiting. It is linkedto faith, as in Heb. 11:1, which stresses the certainty of what is divinely given. Rom.8:24-25 makes not only the formal point that we do not hope for what is visibly present

but also the material one that what is visibly present offers no basis for hope since itbelongs to the sphere of the srx. Hence we have to wait patiently, in hope believingagainst hope, i.e., unable to count on controllable factors and hence thrown back onGod (Rom. 4:18). Patient endurance is the main point in Rom. 5:4; 1 Th. 1:3; Heb. 6:11,but sure confidence is meant in 1 Cor. 15:19; 2 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 1:20; Heb. 3:6; 1 Pet.1:21. The main difference from the OT is that the act of salvation has now been accom-plished in Christ, so that hope itself is an eschatological blessing, and there is everyreason for confidence such as Paul has in the Corinthians (2 Cor. 1:12ff.). Hope restson faith in the act of salvation (Rom. 8:24-25) and is sustained by the Spirit (vv. 26-27).It is an integral part of the Christian life (Rom. 15:13; 12:12). As such it goes closely withfaith and love (1 Th. 1:3; 1 Cor. 13:13). It endures even when we attain to sight, for itsfocus is not on what is to be given but on the God who gives it and will maintain it whenit is given. Endurance may be stressed in this life (Rom. 5:2, 4-5), but our waiting is con-

fident, for we are saved by hope (Rom. 8:24).3. elps occurs only rarely in John (cf. Jn. 5:45; 1 Jn. 3:3), but is embraced here bypstis, or by endurance in Revelation. The element of waiting for the eschatological fu-ture is prominent in Col. 1:5; 1 Tim. 4:10; Acts 23:6 (the resurrection), but hope is itselfan eschatological blessing in Matt. 12:21; 1 Pet. 1:3, and cf. Christ as our hope in Col.1:27 and hope as a gift in 2 Th. 2:16. No pictures of the future are given (except inRevelation), so that trust in Gods act is always a constitutive element in the Christianshopeful expectation.[R. BULTMANN, II, 52935]Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume.

Disappoint: kataischn

The meanings are: to shame (1 Cor. 11:4-5), to bring to shame (1 Cor. 1:27), to beashamed (Luke 16:3), almost disillusioned (Phil. 1:20). aischn meansdisgrace (Heb. 12:2; Jude 13), with a play on the sexual sense in Rev. 3:18. aischrsmeans what is disgraceful (1 Cor. 11:6; Eph. 5:12; Tit. 1:11). aischrts occurs only inEph. 5:4 where it refers to shameful talk.[R. BULTMANN, I, 18991]Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume.


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SERMON


CALLED 2 LOVE

Notes:

Additional Studies

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Romans 5:5

Love: agp

Paul sees the new situation clearly. Thus his argument in Rom. 1ff. climaxes in a hymnwhich moves on from our love for God to Christs love for us and then to the assuranceof Gods love in Christ (8:28, 31ff.). He makes three main points: (1) God sent his Soneven to the cross in love; (2) God calls his elect in love; (3) God sheds his love abroadin their hearts. Gods eternal love is indistinguishable from Christs love (Rom. 5:8;8:37), in which it becomes a world-changing event. This love implies election, whichincludes both pretemporal ordination and temporal calling. The elect community is infellowship with God, and he endows it with the active and compelling power of love(Rom. 5:5) in fulfilment of his own primary purpose of love.[E. STAUFFER, I, 3555]Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume.

Poured out:

ekch

Lavishing divine gifts or powers in fulfilment ofJoel 3:1-2 is the point in Acts 2:16ff. As inthe OT the outpouring of the Spirit means both ecstatic inspiration and inner renewal (cf.Ezek. 39:29), so the same word occurs both for the giving of tongues (Acts 10:45) andthe granting of the Spirit in baptism (Tit. 3:5). In Rom. 5:5-6 the overflowing love of Godshown in Christs death brings us constant assurance by the Holy Spirit.[J. BEHM. II, 46769]Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume.

Hearts: karda

1. The thought that the heart is the central organ and the seat of physical vitality occursin the NT only in Luke 21:34 and Jms. 5:5.2. There is in the NT a rich usage of karda for a. the seat of feelings, desires, and pas-sions (e.g., joy, pain, love, desire, and lust; cf. Acts 2:26; Jn. 16:6; 2 Cor. 7:3; Rom.10:1; 1:24); b. the seat of thought and understanding (cf. Matt. 7:21; Jn. 12:40; Acts8:22; Mark 11:23; Rev. 18:7; Rom. 1:21); c. the seat of the will (e.g., Acts 11:23; 2 Cor.9:7; Luke 21:14); and d. the religious center to which God turns, which is the root of reli-gious life, and which determines moral conduct (e.g., Luke 16:15; Rom. 5:5; 8:27; Eph.3:17; Heb. 8:10; 2 Pet. 1:19; as the heart of the sinner, Mark 7:21; Jn. 12:40; Eph. 4:18;Jms. 1:26; as the heart of the redeemed, Matt. 11:29; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Th. 3:13; Col. 3:22; 1Pet. 3:15; Jms. 4:8, etc.).3. The meaning inward part of the earth occurs in Matt. 12:40.[J. BEHM, III, 60814]Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume.

Given: ddmi

Since love is depicted as a gift in the NT, ddmi is a common term, especially in John.Jesus is what he is by Gods gift. God gives him his works (5:36), disciples (6:37), name(17:11), all things (3:35). Jesus himself gives his life (Mark 10:45), himself (Gal. 1:4), hisbody (Luke 22:19).[F. BCHSEL, II, 16673]Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume.

Sermon 3 - Love Brings Hope - Startled by Christ's Love

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