God’s Unconditional Love for Us - Pastor Johnny Marten

I’m grateful for each of you in this Advent season. We celebrate not a legend, but a real moment in history: God stepped into our world in Jesus to reconcile us to Himself. John 3:16 tells us the Father’s motive—love. That love does not sort people into “good” and “bad” lists. Our culture often swaps Jesus for Santa, turning Christmas into a reward-for-behavior story. But Jesus came for the ones on the “naughty” list—the lost, the sick, the ones who know they can’t fix themselves. God’s gift is not performance-based; it is grace-based, offered to all who believe.

Because love is a vast word, I drew from Luke 15, where Jesus shows what love looks like. A shepherd goes after one wandering sheep. A woman turns the house upside down for a lost coin. A father runs toward a ruined son, embraces him, clothes him, and throws a feast—not after he cleans up, but as he comes home. That’s the heart of the Father toward you. Nothing in all creation can separate us from His love. Yet God’s love is not indulgence; He disciplines those He loves. Like any wise parent who keeps a child out of the highway, the Lord’s correction is protection, shaping us into wholeness and peace.

How do we experience this love? Often through one another. Jesus commands us to love as He has loved us. Fellowship becomes a conduit of God’s affection, wisdom, and courage. But some of us have armored our hearts because of betrayal and pain. A hardened heart blocks pain—and love. The way back is a wise, guarded openness with trustworthy, Christ-honoring people, and most of all to Jesus Himself. He stands at the door and knocks. Open to Him, and the feast begins—new life, deep peace, and a love that will outlast every earthly gift.