"Christ's Followers"(John 1:9-14)

 John 1:9-14

Through the passage, we understand that Jesus loved us. He loved all of us, but who were those who received Him and his love?

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13 ESV

There was no reason for Jesus to loved us. Jesus also loved His enemies. He loves even the ones who rejected Him.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

John 1:9-11 ESV

It was humankind who betrayed God, but Christ still loved us. Despite this betrayal, God never gave up on us. God kept loving us despite the pain our betrayal has inflicted on God.

We should think of those who have harmed us or betrayed us and talk tp them and pray for them. This would be our homework to fulfil Christ's good works he has left for us, but also to understand Christ's love. To truly understand Christ's love for us, we need to love those who have hurt us. This is what God has done for us. This is what Jesus did when he came to Earth.

Because Jesus did not give up on us, we experience His blessings. Others can experience these same blessings because Jesus has not given up on them; however, we, too, can others experience peace, acceptance, forgiveness and love by our persistence to love others.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 ESV

The word became human and we sometimes find it hard to forget that Jesus was fully human. Jesus was God, but he was just like us in that He was physical just like us. Jesus left Heaven to come to Earth to help us. Jesus put Himself in danger and suffered like us to save us.

Much like looking a bright light and then looking elsewhere and seeing the image of light, we should do the same and see the image of Christ wherever we look. This Christmas, let us look for Christ and love those whom we find hardest to love.

Sermon

Worship Songs;

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Joy to the world

What Child Is This

O Holy Night