Love's Eternal Pursuit: Jesus' Sacrifice for Us
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of "Love Pursued Across Eternity," focusing on the immense price paid by Jesus for His bride, the Church. This journey began before time itself, rooted in God's eternal desire for union with us. We are not afterthoughts but forethoughts in God's heart, and His love is the very essence of creation. This love, however, is not just a sentiment; it is proven through action. The eternal God stepped into time, taking on human flesh to be with us, demonstrating that true love is humble and sacrificial.
The first point we delved into was Jesus stepping down from glory. This act of humility is a testament to love's first movement, which is always downward before it can lift others upward. Jesus, the Word, became flesh and dwelt among us, not as a distant deity but as one who pitched His tent among humanity. This incarnation was not just a visit; it was God becoming part of creation, showing us that love chooses closeness over comfort.
Secondly, we discussed how Jesus carried our shame. Crucifixion was the most degrading form of execution, yet Jesus embraced it, taking on our guilt and shame so that we could walk away clean. He bore the full emotional and spiritual weight of our sin, choosing to be cut off so that we could be brought in. This act was not just about enduring physical pain but about disarming the shame that held us captive.
Lastly, we reflected on how Jesus gave everything to win us. His sacrifice on the cross was not a mere transaction but a proposal, a bride price paid in His own blood. This act of love was not about proving a point but about sealing a covenant with His beloved. Jesus laid down His life willingly, joyfully, and completely, demonstrating that we are wildly wanted and desired by God.
Key Takeaways:
- Love's Humility: True love moves downward before it can lift others upward. Jesus stepped down from glory, choosing to dwell among us, showing that love prioritizes closeness over comfort. This act of humility is a powerful reminder that love is not about demanding comfort but about choosing to be present with those we love. [56:34]
- Carrying Our Shame: Jesus embraced the cross, taking on our shame and guilt so that we could walk away clean. This act was not just about enduring physical pain but about disarming the shame that held us captive. Jesus' willingness to carry our shame is a profound demonstration of His love and commitment to us. [01:04:30]
- The Bride Price: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was a proposal, a bride price paid in His own blood. This act of love was not about proving a point but about sealing a covenant with His beloved. It reminds us that we are not just barely tolerated but wildly wanted and desired by God. [01:20:12]
- Personal Love: Jesus' love is personal and intimate. He didn't just die for humanity in general but for each of us individually. This personal love calls us to stop wondering if we are loved and to embrace the truth that we are deeply cherished by God. [01:25:29]
- Love's Sacrifice: Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for us is a powerful demonstration of love in action. His sacrifice was not about proving His toughness but about showing His love for us. This act calls us to reflect on the depth of God's love and to respond with gratitude and devotion. [01:27:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Introduction to Love Pursued Across Eternity
- [00:05:00] - The Eternal Desire for Union
- [00:10:00] - The Price of Pursuit
- [00:15:00] - Jesus Stepping Down from Glory
- [00:20:00] - The Incarnation of Christ
- [00:25:00] - Carrying Our Shame
- [00:30:00] - The Scandal of the Cross
- [00:35:00] - The Bride Price
- [00:40:00] - Personal Love and Intimacy
- [00:45:00] - Love's Sacrifice
- [00:50:00] - Reflection and Meditation
- [00:55:00] - Invitation to Respond
- [01:00:00] - Closing and Worship Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Love Pursued Across Eternity
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
2. Philippians 2:6-8 - "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
3. Isaiah 53:3-6 - "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Observation Questions:
1. What does John 1:14 reveal about the nature of Jesus' incarnation and his choice to dwell among humanity? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on love choosing closeness over comfort? [01:04:30]
2. According to Philippians 2:6-8, what actions did Jesus take to demonstrate humility and obedience? How does this passage illustrate the sermon’s point about love moving downward before lifting others upward? [01:07:39]
3. In Isaiah 53:3-6, what are the key aspects of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice? How do these verses connect to the sermon’s discussion on Jesus carrying our shame? [01:04:30]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus stepping down from glory challenge common perceptions of power and leadership? What does this teach us about the nature of true love? [01:04:30]
2. In what ways does Jesus' willingness to carry our shame redefine our understanding of honor and disgrace? How might this influence a believer’s view of their own worth and identity? [01:04:30]
3. The sermon describes Jesus' sacrifice as a proposal and a bride price. How does this imagery deepen our understanding of the relationship between Christ and the Church? [01:20:12]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you prioritized comfort over closeness in your relationships. How can Jesus’ example of stepping down from glory inspire you to choose closeness this week? [01:04:30]
2. Consider an area in your life where you feel shame or guilt. How does knowing that Jesus carried your shame change your perspective on this issue? What steps can you take to embrace this truth? [01:04:30]
3. Jesus’ sacrifice was described as a proposal to His beloved. How does this perspective affect your personal relationship with God? What can you do to respond to this love in your daily life? [01:20:12]
4. The sermon emphasized that we are not afterthoughts but forethoughts in God’s heart. How does this truth impact your sense of purpose and identity? How can you live out this understanding in your community? [01:04:30]
5. Jesus’ love was personal and intimate, not just for humanity in general. How can you cultivate a more personal and intimate relationship with Jesus? What specific practices can you incorporate into your routine? [01:25:29]
6. Reflect on the idea that love moves downward before lifting others upward. How can you apply this principle in your interactions with family, friends, or coworkers this week? [01:04:30]
7. The sermon concluded with a call to stop wondering if we are loved. What negative thoughts or beliefs about your worth do you need to let go of? How can you replace them with the truth of God’s love? [01:27:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Love's Humility: Choosing Closeness Over Comfort
True love is characterized by humility, a willingness to step down from a place of comfort to be present with others. Jesus exemplified this by stepping down from His glory to dwell among humanity. He did not come as a distant deity but chose to pitch His tent among us, demonstrating that love prioritizes closeness over comfort. This act of humility is a powerful reminder that love is not about demanding comfort but about choosing to be present with those we love. Jesus' incarnation was not just a visit; it was God becoming part of creation, showing us that love chooses closeness over comfort. [56:34]
Philippians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
Reflection: In what ways can you choose to prioritize closeness over comfort in your relationships this week? How can you step down from your own "glory" to be present with those you love?
Day 2: Disarming Shame: Jesus' Embrace of the Cross
Jesus' willingness to embrace the cross was not just about enduring physical pain but about disarming the shame that held humanity captive. Crucifixion was the most degrading form of execution, yet Jesus embraced it, taking on our guilt and shame so that we could walk away clean. He bore the full emotional and spiritual weight of our sin, choosing to be cut off so that we could be brought in. This act is a profound demonstration of His love and commitment to us, showing that true love is willing to carry the burdens of others. [01:04:30]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What shame or guilt are you holding onto that Jesus has already carried for you? How can you begin to release this burden to Him today?
Day 3: The Bride Price: A Covenant Sealed in Blood
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was not a mere transaction but a proposal, a bride price paid in His own blood. This act of love was not about proving a point but about sealing a covenant with His beloved. It reminds us that we are not just barely tolerated but wildly wanted and desired by God. Jesus laid down His life willingly, joyfully, and completely, demonstrating that we are deeply cherished by God. This covenant is a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love and His desire for an intimate relationship with us. [01:20:12]
Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice as a proposal change your view of your relationship with God? What steps can you take to deepen this covenant relationship?
Day 4: Personal Love: Embracing God's Deep Affection
Jesus' love is personal and intimate. He didn't just die for humanity in general but for each of us individually. This personal love calls us to stop wondering if we are loved and to embrace the truth that we are deeply cherished by God. Understanding this personal aspect of God's love can transform our relationship with Him, moving us from a place of doubt to one of confidence in His affection. It challenges us to see ourselves as God sees us—wildly wanted and deeply loved. [01:25:29]
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'"
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus loves you personally and intimately affect your daily life? What can you do today to embrace and live out this truth?
Day 5: Love's Sacrifice: A Call to Gratitude and Devotion
Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for us is a powerful demonstration of love in action. His sacrifice was not about proving His toughness but about showing His love for us. This act calls us to reflect on the depth of God's love and to respond with gratitude and devotion. Understanding the magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice should inspire us to live lives that honor Him, filled with gratitude for what He has done. It challenges us to consider how we can reflect His sacrificial love in our own lives. [01:27:57]
1 John 3:16 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate sacrificial love to those around you this week? How can you express your gratitude to God for His love and sacrifice?
Quotes
"The redemptive plan of God started with God's very own heart. It didn't start in a garden. It started with his character and who he is. It started with his love. We saw that love existed long before the words, let there be light, were ever spoken. Love already existed toward you and me in that time. And the bride was the bride of Christ was in God's heart from the start. And that love is the very meaning of creation. So God's recognizing something. We were not afterthoughts. We were forethoughts in God's heart." [00:55:57] (37 seconds)
"Jesus released his rightful position and his rightful privileges in the Godhead, not because he had to, but because love compelled him to do so. And this wasn't weakness. This is humility. It's divine strength, all wrapped up in surrender. 2 Corinthians 8 .9 says, Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor. Now, guys, it's not necessarily talking about a financial sense. It's talking about spiritually. How many of you know, you don't get more spiritually rich than God, right? And you don't get more spiritually poor than humanity, right?" [01:03:16] (45 seconds)
"Jesus stepped into our limitations so that he could elevate us into his abundance. Have you got this? Would you have done this if you were God Almighty and could have and do anything you wanted to do? He stepped out, he stepped into our limitations so that he could elevate us into his abundance. Y 'all remember in John chapter 13, you remember when Jesus kneels and washes the disciples' feet? In that, guys, Jesus wasn't performing some religious ritual in that moment. This isn't, that's not what that was about. He was revealing his nature in that moment." [01:04:24] (43 seconds)
"Jesus didn't just suffer physically that's not so much the shame part what happened is he absorbed the emotional and the spiritual and the relational weight of our sin and our shame he took our place he bore our guilt and he chose to be cut off so that we could be brought in he carried our shame Isaiah 53 verse 3 says he was despised and rejected and if you go down to verse 6 it says and the lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all guys when you look at that we know he was despised and rejected but when you look at that the lord has laid on him the iniquity of who us us all right so the word iniquity it's not a word that we use a whole lot the word that's translated iniquity is the Hebrew word of on and it implies guilt perversion twistedness and an inward distortion of sin." [01:11:05] (72 seconds)
"Jesus didn't die to prove a point. His sacrifice, the sacrifice he made wasn't just, it wasn't supposed to be like a display of like moral superiority over humanity. It was an outpouring of passionate covenantal love is what the cross was. The cross wasn't as much a transaction as it was a proposal. What are we talking about? We're talking about the bride of Christ, right? So in Jewish marriage customs, soon I'm going to have to do a series on Jewish marriage soon. It's incredible. In ancient Jewish marriage customs, the groom would offer a bride price. It was called the mohar." [01:19:36] (51 seconds)
"Jesus paid the highest bride price. That's exactly what he was doing on Calvary's Hill 2 ,000 years ago. He paid the highest bride price, not in silver, not in gold, but in his own blood. And when he gave himself to the cross, he wasn't just saving sinners, he was sealing a covenant and he was paying a bride price. In fact, when you look at it, I had never seen this before. I read this and went looking at some different things. When you look at ancient manuscripts from the early church, when they refer to the crucifixion of Jesus, there's bridal language in it like would be used in a marriage because they recognized that it was more, it was more than just a man giving up his life." [01:21:03] (49 seconds)
"Stop wondering if you're loved. There are so many of us here today, and we still speak negative words over ourselves. Words we've heard others speak over the years. Negative words. Negative thoughts about our worth and our value. And it's all a lie. When the God of the universe says the opposite, it's all a lie. Stop wondering if you're loved. The cross already answered that question. Guys, you're not just barely tolerated. You are wildly wanted and desired by God. God. The price of pursuit was high, but Jesus paid it because you are worth it to him." [01:28:23] (60 seconds)
"Before you ever knew Him, before you ever wanted Him, before you ever chose Him, He pursued you. That is love. He didn't wait for you to be clean. He stepped right into your dirt. He stepped right into your shame. He stepped right into your guilt. He stepped right into your worst moment. He stepped right into your wounds. He stepped right into your disappointment. He stepped into all of it and he chose to carry it all on his back the king of glory wore a crown of thorns on his head because you were worth it to him today he still says you're worth it you're worth it that is love." [01:31:27] (58 seconds)
"Because you were the joy set before him that helped him to endure that agony the great price that had to be paid as he hung on that cross the joy set before him he saw on the other side of the cross he could see his redeemed bride dressed in white coming down the aisle he saw the joy of the other side and he made the choice I would rather die than lose her he stepped down from glory not to dominate but to dwell he carried our shame not because he had to but because you couldn't he laid down his life not just to save you from hell but to bring you into his heart." [01:32:40] (58 seconds)
"So don't walk out of this place today thinking that you're ordinary don't walk out of this place thinking you're an exception to the rule don't walk out of this place with your head hung low still thinking that you're less than everybody else around you because you were literally loved to death you were loved to death by the king of glory the God of the universe thought that life without you was too high a price to pay and so he paid it himself." [01:34:03] (42 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?