Feeling Unworthy of God’s Love

The Greatest Love Story of All Time

Scripture References

• John 3:16
• Galatians 4:4
• Mark 3

Overview

Christmas is the unfolding of history’s greatest love story. Pastor Craig traced that story through three relationships—Father and Son, Mother and Son, and the Son with us—showing that every scene points to God’s relentless love for people. From the Father’s costly sending, to Mary’s pierced soul, to Jesus’ embrace of broken lives, the birth of Christ proves that we are “the ones Jesus loves.”

Main Points

1. A Father Sends His Son

• For eternity the Father and Son shared perfect oneness; Christmas is the first time they were separated.
• Galatians 4:4—“when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son.”
• Parents feel the ache of sending a child to school, to drive, or to college; the Father’s sending was infinitely deeper.
• Christmas begins: “For God so loved the world…”—love motivates the sending.

2. A Mother Bears the Son

• The angel told Mary she would “give birth to a Son…Jesus.”
• Mary’s journey: scandal of an unwed pregnancy, a 90-mile donkey ride, a barn delivery.
  • Illustration: swollen feet, constant bathroom stops, no vacancy—human cost of divine plan.
• Simeon’s prophecy: “a sword will pierce your very soul.” Mary’s baby was born to die.
• A mother’s love differs from a father’s—nurturing, comforting, tender.

3. The Son Loves Us

• John 3:16 announces the purpose: not condemnation but salvation.
• Jesus’ love is personal; it changed John from “son of thunder” (Mark 3) to “the disciple Jesus loved.”
• Examples of people Jesus loved:
  • Woman at the well—looking for love, found Living Water.
  • Peter—denied Jesus three times, reinstated by love.
  • Adulterous woman—“Neither do I condemn you.”
  • Zacchaeus—curious swindler transformed over dinner.
  • Pastor Craig—addicted, insecure college student made new at age 19.
• “You are the one Jesus loves” is the heart of Christmas.

4. Love That Conquers Death

• Unlike tragic romances (Romeo & Juliet, The Notebook, Titanic), this story ends in resurrection.
• Love came once in a manger and will come again on a white horse—King of Kings returning.
• Jesus is Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love—the center candle of Advent.

Key Truths

• God’s sending proves our worth to Him.
• Mary’s pain foreshadows the cost of redemption.
• Jesus’ love changes our identity and story.
• The season’s ultimate reason isn’t just Jesus—it’s that Jesus came for us.
• Real love starts with God loving us before we ever loved Him.

Response

• Receive the love God already has for you.
• Step away from guilt and shame and toward Jesus’ forgiveness.
• Re-name yourself: “I am the one Jesus loves.”
• Share the light of Christ with those still in darkness.
• Celebrate Christmas by reflecting Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love to others.

Closing

Pastor Craig invited anyone feeling unworthy to see their true worth in the Father’s gift. Hands were raised across locations and online as people prayed to surrender to Jesus, the Lamb born to die and rise again.

“You are the one Jesus loves.”

Christmas is God’s declaration of that truth—yesterday in a manger, today in our hearts, and soon in His glorious return.

Prayer

The congregation prayed together, confessing sin, receiving forgiveness, and asking Jesus to be first in their lives, thanking Him for new life and the gift of the Holy Spirit.