THE NIGHT LOVE WAS BORN

Text: Numbers 21:5-9 (from the advent worship guide)

Today we lit the fourth advent candle. This is the Sunday before Christmas and the purple candle that was lit a few minutes ago is the one that represents "love". I am so thankful that God loves us. Were it not for His great love we would all be dead. We are standing at the head of a long line of humanity that has needed God's love and mercy. The line stretches all the way back to the Garden of Eden, follows the Israelites through the wilderness, passes by the foot of the cross, and winds it's way to December 19, 1999.

The beginning text in our "Family Celebration Of Christmas" carries us to that segment of the line in which the Israelites "journeyed from Mt. Hor by way of the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom" (Numbers 21:4). Here in this wilderness of God's provision they trashed God's love and rebelled against Him. We join the story in Numbers 21:5-----

I. THE ISRAELITES REBELLED AGAINST GOD

They missed the comforts of Egypt, the ready food and water, and they were sick of "light bread". Instead of being grateful for the incredible love that God had bestowed upon them they grumbled and complained.

The Israelites rebelled against God and so have we---Romans 3:23

II. GOD'S JUDGEMENT FELL ON THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR REBELLION--Numbers 21:6

God sent serpents throughout the camp---serpents whose bite brought certain death. This is a picture of the wages of sin which bring death.

God's judgement has has fallen on us because of our rebellion---Romans 6:23a---The wages of sin is death

III. GOD'S LOVE PROVIDES A WAY TO AVOID THE PENALTY FOR OUR REBELLION (Sin)

He has made a way for us---Romans 6:23b---"but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

(From the bulletin insert)---The purpose for Christ's coming was to take upon Himself the sins of everyone who would trust in Him. To do that He had to take upon Himself human flesh. You cannot nail someone who is spirit to a cross. "Son of Man" was a title that Jesus used for Himself. It comes from Daniel 7:13-14, and refers to the Lord's Messiah or Anointed One:

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

By calling Himself the Son of Man Jesus is saying that He deliberately came into this world to sacrifice Himself so that those who believe in Him will never die. THAT'S LOVE! Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life

for his friends" (John 15:13).

How can we ever comprehend that the God of the universe humbled Himself to become a tiny baby for the purpose of sacrificing Himself for us? It is such a great act of love. We can neverbe thankful enough!

We have one in our midst this morning who is beginning to understand the tremendous love of Christ. When C'ara came to talk to me on Wednesday night 1 ½ weeks ago she said that she wanted to be baptized. I knew that she had made a profession of faith at GA Camp so I asked her to tell me what happened in her life on that day. She said they were singing a song and God touched her heart and she asked Jesus to come into her live and save her. I can't put it any more plain that that.

When God touches us with His love our life will never be the same:

Shackled by a heavy burden, 'neath a load of guilt and shame,

Then the hand of Jesus touched me, and now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, He touched me, and oh the joy that floods my soul.

Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.

God's did not start loving us when Christ was born but it took the birth and death of Jesus to convince us of how much He loves us. In a very real sense, Christmas was the night that love was born. It is the night that love became tangible to us. It is the night that defines love for us.

Have you experienced God's love in your life? You never fully will until you come into a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the greatest gift ever given!

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