Holy Love

This powerful message confronts our cultural understanding of love and challenges us to embrace what Scripture calls 'holy love.' Drawing from 1 John 4:7-12, we're reminded that God doesn't fit into our definitions—instead, we must submit our understanding to His. The sermon dismantles our romanticized notions of love, pointing out how modern culture has reduced it to feelings, comfort, and acceptance without cost. But God's love is radically different: it's rooted in His holiness, which means He cannot simply overlook sin. This creates a beautiful tension—a holy God who cannot tolerate sin yet loves us so deeply that He sends His Son to bear the judgment we deserve. The Incarnation isn't just a heartwarming story; it's the unveiling of God's redemptive plan where justice and mercy meet at the cross. We're called to understand that love without holiness becomes mere sentimentality, while holiness without love becomes cold legalism. The Trinity works together in this mission: the Father sends, the Son willingly offers Himself, and the Spirit sustains us. This Advent season, we're invited to stop projecting our preferences onto God and instead allow His definition of love to transform us—a love that confronts, redeems, and ultimately sends us out as marked people to continue His mission.