Title
The LOVE Connection 愛的關係
Date
12/21/2025
Description
Eph 3:19: May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
以 弗 所 書 3:19: 基督的爱比任何人所能知道的都要伟大。但是，我祈祷你们能够知道那种爱，这样，你们才能彻底被上帝的丰富所充满 (page 1897)
John1:4,5: In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
约翰福音 1:4,5: 祂里面有生命，这生命是人类的光。 光照进黑暗里，黑暗不能胜过光。(page 1716)
John 12:36: While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.
约翰福音 12:36: 所以你们当趁着有光的时候信从光，好成为光明的儿女。 (page 1744)
John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
約 翰 福 音 8:12: 耶稣又对他们说∶“我是世界之光，跟随我的人绝不会走在黑暗之中，他将获得生命之光。” (page 1733)
Titus 3:4-7: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
提 多 書 3:4-7: 但是当我们的救主－上帝显示他对人类的爱时， 他拯救了我们，不是因为我们的行为，而是靠他的怜悯、重生的洗礼和使我们更新的圣灵。 上帝通过耶稣基督，我们的救世主，慷慨地把圣灵倾注给了我们， 所以，现在我们靠上帝的恩典，在他面前是清白的，从而得以成为他的继承人，实现了我们对永生的盼望 (page 1936)
以 弗 所 書 3:19: 基督的爱比任何人所能知道的都要伟大。但是，我祈祷你们能够知道那种爱，这样，你们才能彻底被上帝的丰富所充满 (page 1897)
John1:4,5: In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
约翰福音 1:4,5: 祂里面有生命，这生命是人类的光。 光照进黑暗里，黑暗不能胜过光。(page 1716)
John 12:36: While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.
约翰福音 12:36: 所以你们当趁着有光的时候信从光，好成为光明的儿女。 (page 1744)
John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
約 翰 福 音 8:12: 耶稣又对他们说∶“我是世界之光，跟随我的人绝不会走在黑暗之中，他将获得生命之光。” (page 1733)
Titus 3:4-7: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
提 多 書 3:4-7: 但是当我们的救主－上帝显示他对人类的爱时， 他拯救了我们，不是因为我们的行为，而是靠他的怜悯、重生的洗礼和使我们更新的圣灵。 上帝通过耶稣基督，我们的救世主，慷慨地把圣灵倾注给了我们， 所以，现在我们靠上帝的恩典，在他面前是清白的，从而得以成为他的继承人，实现了我们对永生的盼望 (page 1936)
Creator
Pastor: Mike Koger
Contributor
Hillside United Methodist Church
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
3737 US 80
Phenix City AL 36870
United States
Transcription
The Love Connection: Advent Week Four
Experiencing Christ's Pursuing Love
Last week, during Drive-Thru Prayer, we were standing outside, praying for people as they passed by. At one point, I said to Tracy, "We're getting a lot of wavers today."
Not too many people were stopping... but at least many waved. And as I stood there, it struck me - despite the distance, a connection was being made. Not because of words.
Not because of explanations. But because people could sense sincerity. They could feel that someone genuinely cared.
Then I realized something profound: Love doesn't always require proximity - it requires presence. When the arms of this church reach beyond our walls, we are offering to the world what we ourselves have already discovered:
The Love of Christ.
"Everyone you know is fighting a battle" - everyone. My church family... we all struggle to fully comprehend and experience God's love in our daily lives.
Many people see Christians and might imagine that we're probably nice people - but they still miss the true connection.
They remain at a distance, essentially just waving rather than pulling over, hesitant to take that leap of faith that would allow God to minister to them personally.
Ephesians 3:19 reminds us: "May you experience the love of Christ..."
Not just hearing about it through words, but truly experiencing it.
Because only then will you KNOW its transformative power.
We often believe intellectually in Christ's love without allowing ourselves to be enveloped by it. We keep God at arm's length, thinking we need to fix ourselves first before approaching Him.
This scripture doesn’t just say believe in the love of Christ.
It says: “May you know the love of Christ…”
Because knowing (experiencing) His love …changes everything.
This message is not about the love we have to give –
it is about the love we have received.
“Love came down at Christmas”
Titus 3:4-7: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
When our eyes are opened to the love Jesus has for us,
we can reach out to Him in faith —
for forgiveness, for healing, for restoration.
Love becomes the bridge.
And this is exactly what Jesus does for all of us.
John 12:36: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 12:36: “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”
Jesus does not wait for us to fix ourselves before He comes near.
He reaches out to us just as we are —
because He is our only hope of moving beyond our current state.
That’s the heart of the gospel. And that’s why Advent matters.
Advent Week 4 is about LOVE —
not sentimental love,
but God’s faithful, pursuing love, revealed in the coming of Christ.
Love that moves toward us.
Isn’t that exactly what happens in Holy Communion?
Paul tells us: “When you partake of the bread and the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)
That means every time we receive Communion, we are declaring —
- not just remembering.
We declare – we proclaim to ourselves, (our hearts)
to the powers and principalities,
to our own bodies and circumstances:
We proclaim that Jesus’ finished work applies to me.
Not trying to be forgiven — forgiven.
Not hoping to be righteous — righteous.
Not waiting to be healed — healed.
Not wishing for restoration — restored.
Holy Communion is the Love of Christ made tangible. (Means of Grace)
When you partake of Communion, you’re not earning anything.
You’re acknowledging and receiving by faith…
• His broken body for healing and wholeness
• His shed blood for forgiveness and right standing
• His life for every place of lack
Holy Communion becomes a moment (sacrament) where love meets need.
Not because you deserve it — but because He loves you.
This is Divine Reconciliation
Remember the Mission
It is our mission as a church:
To share the love of Christ by making a connection —
connecting with people at their genuine point of need.
That’s what Jesus does for us.
…And that’s what He invites us to do for others.
• Sometimes it’s a prayer.
• it’s an invitation to come to church
it can be simply a Drive-Thru Prayer wave.
…and sometimes it’s bread and a cup.
…But every time, it’s love reaching out.
Advent reminds us:
Love has come.
Love is present.
Love is reaching toward you today.
You don’t have to clean yourself up first.
You don’t have to figure it all out.
You don’t have to close the distance.
Just receive.
Because the love of Christ is already reaching for you.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
thank You for loving us where we are.
Thank You for reaching us when we could not reach You.
As we receive the bread and the cup,
help us to receive Your love again —
deeply, personally, fully.
And teach us to carry that love
beyond these walls,
into the world You came to save.
Amen.
Jesus said: (John 8:12) "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of Life."
Experiencing Christ's Pursuing Love
Last week, during Drive-Thru Prayer, we were standing outside, praying for people as they passed by. At one point, I said to Tracy, "We're getting a lot of wavers today."
Not too many people were stopping... but at least many waved. And as I stood there, it struck me - despite the distance, a connection was being made. Not because of words.
Not because of explanations. But because people could sense sincerity. They could feel that someone genuinely cared.
Then I realized something profound: Love doesn't always require proximity - it requires presence. When the arms of this church reach beyond our walls, we are offering to the world what we ourselves have already discovered:
The Love of Christ.
"Everyone you know is fighting a battle" - everyone. My church family... we all struggle to fully comprehend and experience God's love in our daily lives.
Many people see Christians and might imagine that we're probably nice people - but they still miss the true connection.
They remain at a distance, essentially just waving rather than pulling over, hesitant to take that leap of faith that would allow God to minister to them personally.
Ephesians 3:19 reminds us: "May you experience the love of Christ..."
Not just hearing about it through words, but truly experiencing it.
Because only then will you KNOW its transformative power.
We often believe intellectually in Christ's love without allowing ourselves to be enveloped by it. We keep God at arm's length, thinking we need to fix ourselves first before approaching Him.
This scripture doesn’t just say believe in the love of Christ.
It says: “May you know the love of Christ…”
Because knowing (experiencing) His love …changes everything.
This message is not about the love we have to give –
it is about the love we have received.
“Love came down at Christmas”
Titus 3:4-7: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
When our eyes are opened to the love Jesus has for us,
we can reach out to Him in faith —
for forgiveness, for healing, for restoration.
Love becomes the bridge.
And this is exactly what Jesus does for all of us.
John 12:36: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 12:36: “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”
Jesus does not wait for us to fix ourselves before He comes near.
He reaches out to us just as we are —
because He is our only hope of moving beyond our current state.
That’s the heart of the gospel. And that’s why Advent matters.
Advent Week 4 is about LOVE —
not sentimental love,
but God’s faithful, pursuing love, revealed in the coming of Christ.
Love that moves toward us.
Isn’t that exactly what happens in Holy Communion?
Paul tells us: “When you partake of the bread and the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)
That means every time we receive Communion, we are declaring —
- not just remembering.
We declare – we proclaim to ourselves, (our hearts)
to the powers and principalities,
to our own bodies and circumstances:
We proclaim that Jesus’ finished work applies to me.
Not trying to be forgiven — forgiven.
Not hoping to be righteous — righteous.
Not waiting to be healed — healed.
Not wishing for restoration — restored.
Holy Communion is the Love of Christ made tangible. (Means of Grace)
When you partake of Communion, you’re not earning anything.
You’re acknowledging and receiving by faith…
• His broken body for healing and wholeness
• His shed blood for forgiveness and right standing
• His life for every place of lack
Holy Communion becomes a moment (sacrament) where love meets need.
Not because you deserve it — but because He loves you.
This is Divine Reconciliation
Remember the Mission
It is our mission as a church:
To share the love of Christ by making a connection —
connecting with people at their genuine point of need.
That’s what Jesus does for us.
…And that’s what He invites us to do for others.
• Sometimes it’s a prayer.
• it’s an invitation to come to church
it can be simply a Drive-Thru Prayer wave.
…and sometimes it’s bread and a cup.
…But every time, it’s love reaching out.
Advent reminds us:
Love has come.
Love is present.
Love is reaching toward you today.
You don’t have to clean yourself up first.
You don’t have to figure it all out.
You don’t have to close the distance.
Just receive.
Because the love of Christ is already reaching for you.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
thank You for loving us where we are.
Thank You for reaching us when we could not reach You.
As we receive the bread and the cup,
help us to receive Your love again —
deeply, personally, fully.
And teach us to carry that love
beyond these walls,
into the world You came to save.
Amen.
Jesus said: (John 8:12) "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of Life."