The Tree of Sacrificial Love

Clay Smith JFBC

The Tree of Sacrificial Love
I Peter 2:24-25

We are in the season of Advent. hope, peace, joy, love, and Jesus - all with different trees that represent the journey from Genesis to Revelation.

How Jesus came to live, teach, die, be raised from the dead, dying for the sins of the world, and to reign forever in heaven. All the while being opposed by many.

How does the cross of Jesus reveal God's sacrificial love?

I Peter 2:24-25: Jesus brought our sins up onto the cross so Christians can die to sin and have a right standing with God. We are healed because of His wounds

Why the Cross? What Jesus did on the cross met many needs, including…

1. We need a substitute. A penalty had to be paid because of our sin. More than just a symbolic gesture. The prophets spoke of a messiah to come, like in Isaiah 53:2-6. He was despised and rejected by men. It was our sicknesses were healed by his wounds. …substitutionary language. This baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He died as the God man - it is finished.

John Stott: the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God. The essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be. God sacrifices for man and puts Himself where only man deserves to be. 

 2. We need real change. Jesus brings real change, so we can die to sin and live for Christ. We just don't watch a cancerous tumor. You must be born again.

There will be another JFBC baptism service on Jan 18.

3. We need healing. By His wounds we are healed. The Bible doesn't promise freedom from sickness.

4. We need to come back home. We were deceived. The world deceives us. Sheep are dependent on their shepherd to survive. Jesus is the guardian of our soul. This began on the cross.

5. We need true belonging. We need a family of faith.  When Peter wrote the word "you" he meant "y'all".

Linus read Luke 2:8-14 on network television, then said: "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown".

Rob Reiner made a documentary on Christian nationalism. Was Jewish but appreciated the teachings of Jesus, and Charlie Kirk's widow forgiving his murderer.

Kevin Cosner believes that Christ rose from the dead.

32 in Sunday school.

Brian Fox: the war against Christmas.

1. Matt 2:3-4 Herod's plan
2. Rev 12:1 war
3. Luke 2:29-35 War in the hearts of men
4. Luke 1:50 Mary's magnifcant
5. John 1: in the beginning was the Word and the Word was God…v 9. To all who received Him and believed in his name, to them He gave the right to be children of God.

Home Alone had a nativity scene. Kevin learned to love his elderly neighbor.

Christmas can mean war in our own hearts. Such a busy time. Can be glad when it's finally over.

Buck Belue: called them the holidays. I was sure he'd still be calling them "Christmas" - unless he'd been ordered by the radio station not to.