The Sacrificial Love of God Key Truth: Knowing that God is great, kind, and sacrificially loving gives us the confidence, courage, and comfort to navigate life. INTRODUCTION Our family went white water rafting in Red River, New Mexico. Before we launched, our guide introduced himself — and three things about him gave us the confidence to get in the raft. He was strong — we trusted he could get us out of trouble He was kind — he genuinely wanted us to enjoy the trip and come back safely He communicated clearly — he walked us through every command before we hit the water His presence gave us confidence, courage, and comfort. That's what knowing God gives us. WHAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED: THREE TRUTHS ABOUT GOD 1. God Is Great He spoke the universe into existence The scale of the cosmos points to His limitless power The same voice that created galaxies knows your name 2. God Is Kind Power without kindness would be terrifying — but God is both He didn't create a merely functional world. He created a beautiful one. Sunsets, music, food, relationships — all overflow from His kindness “I love this baby more than evolution requires.” — a former atheist, holding her newborn 3. God Has Spoken He is not distant or silent — He wants to be known The Bible: 66 books, 40+ authors, 15 centuries — one unified story of redemption Not merely impressive literature — it is God speaking to us Great + Kind + Clear = Confidence, Courage, and Comfort THE FOURTH TRUTH: GOD IS SACRIFICIALLY LOVING Point 1 — This Love Was Predetermined God was never caught off guard by human failure. Before He spoke creation into existence, He already had a plan for our redemption — and He knew that plan would cost Him everything. Ephesians 1:4–6 — "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ…" 2 Timothy 1:9 — "This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time." We all count the cost before major decisions — and sometimes say no. God counted the cost before creation began and said yes. Reflect: What would it mean to you that God knew what you would cost Him — and made you anyway? Point 2 — This Love Required God to Become Human Every other religion offers a path to reach up to God. Christianity alone says God reached down to us — in the person of Jesus Christ, wrapped in human skin. “Our guide didn't watch from the shore and shout instructions. He got in the raft with us. And neither did God.” Philippians 2:5–8 — "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!" John 1:1, 14 — "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The agent of creation stepped into creation — for us. He did not give up comfort or convenience. He gave up glory. Reflect: What does it mean to you that God didn't send a messenger — He came Himself? Point 3 — This Love Walked Straight to the Cross He didn't come to be admired or celebrated. He came with one destination in mind. He came to die. Matthew 20:28 — "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." Romans 5:6–8 — "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly… While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 1 John 4:10 — "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." Notice the timing: not after we cleaned up, not after we showed potential — while we were still in full rebellion. And John doesn't call this an example of love. He calls it the definition of love. Reflect: Has anyone ever loved you toward your worst moment, before you deserved it? What does the cross say about how God sees you? CONCLUSION He is GREAT — the Creator who spoke the cosmos into existence He is KIND — who made a world overflowing with beauty and wonder He has SPOKEN — so we never have to guess who He is or whether He cares He has LOVED SACRIFICIALLY — at a cost beyond measure, before we deserved it "This God is our God. And He's in the raft with us." TAKE IT HOME This week, sit with this question: What would change in your life if you actually lived like this God is your God? Park Avenue Church of Christ | todd@parkavenuechurch.com | 903-465-1288 | pacoc.net