Investigating God #6
GOD’S AMAZING LOVE
Steve W. Reeves
stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com
INTRODUCTION:
A. Anna
Bartlett Warner (1827-1915) and her sister Susan Warner (1819-1885) were both authors of Christian novels, children's books and religious songs. Once, while
Susan was writing a novel, she asked Anna to write a children's song that would be
sung by a character in the story, to comfort a dying child. Anna responded to this
request with these lyrics. “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little
ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong.” The book was published in
1860. In 1862 William Bradbury (composer of Just As I Am and Sweet Hour of
Prayer), read those lyrics and wrote the melody for the song. He added a one-line
chorus to the song, to be repeated over and over; just four simple words: Yes, Jesus
loves me.
1. If there is a more familiar song in the English language I do not know it.
2. There is a story concerning Karl Barth, a Swiss theologian who is regarded as one
of the greatest scholars of the 20th century. During a speaking tour of the United
States in 1962 Barth was asked on several occasions to sum up his life’s study in a
simple sentence. One each occasion (Chicago and Richmond) he answered,
“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
B. As we continue the series, “Investigating God” we must consider what I believe to be
the greatest theme of the Bible. “God’s Amazing Love.” .
1. The apostle John, often referred to as the ‘apostle of Love,” wrote extensively
about the love of God.
2. John stands alone among the gospel writers, in recording the evening conversation
between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Within the context of this
conversation Jesus said, “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.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the
world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17).
3. In 1 John 4:9-10, John went on to write one of the most beautiful descriptions of
God’s love found in the Bible.
a. “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only
begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love,
not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins.”
b. Notice three Divine dimensions of God’s Amazing Love.
I. GOD’S LOVE IS DEMONSTRATED.
A. If I want you to know that I love you I need to demonstrate that love in tangible
ways.
1. A woman was married for over thirty years, She asked her husband, “Do you
love me?” He replied, “I told you thirty years ago. If I ever change my mind I’ll
let you know.”
2. Genuine love is demonstrated in both word and deed.
B. When God created humanity he demonstrated His love by providing
everything they needed. His provision was a demonstration of His love.
1. Satan wants to convince us we are not loved. He plants seeds of doubt by
suggesting that God is withholding something from us..
2. Can you imagine the problems that exist because Satan has convinced people
they are not loved.
C. How has God demonstrated His love for people? The writer of Hebrews said,
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and
in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He
appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world”
1. God did not create the world and step away. He has demonstrated His love and
concern in many ways.
2. God did not give up on humanity when sin entered the scene. He could not give
up on us because of His love for us.
3. To ancient Israel He reaffirmed His love over and over. Jeremiah 31:3- “I have
loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with
lovingkindness.”
D. All of us are given daily reminders of God’s love and care.
1. He has allowed us to witness the grandeur of His creation.
2. Hehas allowed us to experience the fresh scent of rain, the green grass, the
gentle breeze on a hot afternoon, the wonders of nature and the loving message
of creaion.
3. He has blessed us with mental capacity to reason and make choices.
4. He has given us a written record of His relationship with mankind and
instructions on how to live for eternity in His presence.
5. Most important, He sent His son. His one of a kind son (John uniquely uses the
word “mono-genes” in describing Jesus). Why? To redeem the world, to forgive
sins and to reconcile all things to Himself . What a powerful demonstration of
love.
II. GOD’S LOVE IS DEVOTED.
A. John says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.”
1. God did not wait on humanity to get its act together before He sent Jesus. He
knew that would never happen.
2. God’s love is not based on who we are but upon who He is.
B. We live in a culture of contingency. In our world acceptance and approval are
based upon ability and achievement.
1. We love people “If” they do certain things.
a. “If they are good enough.”
b. “If they are worthy enough.”
c. “If they have done enough.”
d. How does this affect our understanding of God? As I talked with a precious,
older Christian woman many years ago about eternal life we agreed as to how
wonderful it will be. Then she said, “I just hope I’ve done enough to get there.”
2. The world loves people because of who they are.
a. Because they are intelligent.
b. Because they are beautiful or handsome.
c. Because of their outstanding ability such as running fast, throwing a football,
shooting a basketball, hitting a baseball, making a good business deal.
C. God says, “I love you because of who I am.” He chooses to love us. It has
nothing to do with whether or not you deserve it. In fact, none of us deserve it.
1. Jesus went to the house of Matthew (Mark 2:15-17). The Pharisees thought,
“What an undeserving crowd.” Jesus said, “I didn’t come to call those who
deserve it. I came to call sinners.”
2. God loves you where you are right now. If you are living for Him He loves you. If
you’re not living for Him He loves you. If you’re living in rebellion to Him He loves
you. He will never stop loving you. Ever! That is who He is.
III. GOD’S LOVE IS DISTINCTIVE
A. There has never been a love a pure, selfless, holy and enduring as the love God
has for us. Paul wrote in Romans 5:6-8 – “For while we were still helpless, at the
right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man;
though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us.”
B. Can you imagine giving up your son or daughter so that someone else
might live? There is a story about a preacher who stood to speak and
introduced an old friend who happened to be visiting. The friend was also a
preacher and was asked to say a few words. He told the story of a ship off of the
Pacific coast that was caught up in a terrible storm. Aboard the ship were two
young men. One of them was the captain’s son. The other was his son’s friend. A
wave suddenly swept both boys into the ocean. The captain looked around and
could find only one life preserver and rope. To which boy would he throw it? He saw
his Son struggling against the waves. Then He saw His son’s friend. He threw the
life preserver to the friend saving him while his own son died. The old preacher
began to weep. He then said, “I was the captain. Your preacher was my son’s
friend.”
1. I suspect this is a fictional story.
2. The truth it illustrates is not fictional. God allowed His Son to die for you.
C. Think of the words of this song, “And Can It Be?” by Charles Wesley.
“And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? A mazing love! ow can it be That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! how can it be That hou, my God, shouldst die for me}?”
CONCLUSION:
A. Someone asked the well-known song writer, Bill Gaither, what he thought was the reatest Christian song ever writer. What would you say? Gaither’s answer was this.
“The
love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell
It
goes beyond the highest star And reaches to the lowest hell
The
guilty pair, bowed down with careGod gave His Son to wi
His
erring child He reconciled And pardoned from his sinCould we with ink the ocean fill And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and poor, how measureless and strong. It shall forever more ndure, the saints and angels song.
B.
Have you experienced Hi love in your life? Come to Christ today by confessisng
Him as Lord, repenting of yuour sins and
being baptized into Him. 
