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What the World Needs Now is Love

1. Fifty-five years later, our country is still divided.
2. In 2020, we have experienced the devastating effects of a global pandemic.
3. We have witnessed the heart-breaking division between peoples of different ethnicities.
4. And in this election year, we have seen how divided our nation is politically, as competing parties seek to determine the future course of our great country.
5. Why has nothing changed? Did love fail?
6. The truth is man’s love does and will fail because the world does not need a “What” we need a “Who.”
7. “Who” the world needs now is Jesus and tonight we are going to look at God’s remedy for our hurting world by looking at the events surrounding the birth of our Savior to discover the extent of God’s love for us and how to experience God’s transforming love in our lives.

Luke 2:1-7

I. Jesus was Given to Us in Love (1-7a)

John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

• I am always struck when I read these verses.
• These verses are so simple.
• These verses are so understated.
• And these verses are so majestic.
• Yet, it is easy to quickly read these verses and miss the human drama behind the words.
• If one merely scratches the surface, they will also miss how God’s love was working through many obstacles.

A. God’s love works through our obstacles
1. Mary’s story is filled with obstacles.
a. She was a betrothed virgin who was told by the angel Gabriel that she would be the mother of God’s Son.
b. Who would believe this?
2. News of Mary’s pregnancy would bring disgrace to her family’s reputation.
3. News of her pregnancy would likely bring an end to her engagement to Joseph.
4. News of Mary’s pregnancy could result in her death.
5. Yet, Mary responded to God’s love by accepting His will.

Luke 1:38, And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”

6. Joseph’s story is filled with obstacles.
a. His future wife is pregnant.
b. What should he do?
7. Imagine the personal pain from suspecting infidelity.
8. Imagine the conflict in his heart because he loved Mary and did not want to see her disgraced or harmed, so “put her away secretly.” (Matthew 1:19)
9. Yet, when confronted by an angel Joseph also responded to God’s love with obedience.

Matthew 1:24-25, And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

10.Then there is Caesar Augustus (ruled Rome from 27 BC – 14 AD).
a. Many scholars consider him the greatest of all the Caesars.
b. His name at birth was Octavian which means “Eighth.”
c. He was adopted by Julius Caesar and chosen to succeed him.
d. When he became emperor, calling him “Emperor” was not good enough, so the Roman Senate sought a more regal title for him.
e. So, the title “Augustus” was chosen because it means “Majestic Grandeur.”
f. Then the Senate voted and declared that Octavian was a god and even named a month on the calendar after him, August.
11.But to Almighty God, Augustus was just a “Little Caesar.”
a. God used this Little Caesar to fulfill Messianic prophecy by ordering a census.
b. The Roman Senate required that a census be taken every 14 years to tax all living under Roman rule.
c. So, Caesar Augustus issued a decree which required all people in the Roman Empire to return to the home of their family’s origin.
o It was a dreadful reminder of Rome’s oppressive occupation.
o And it was a financial burden for the poor.
o Yet, through the issuing of the decree, God’s love was preparing Israel for the coming of their King.

Isaiah 9:6-7, For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Pastor Rich Jones
Pastor Matthew Dodd
Calvary Chapel Worship Center
Calvary Chapel Hillsboro
Calvary Chapel Oregon
Calvary Chapel Beaverton
Calvary Chapel Portland

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Pastor Matthew Dodd

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