A Love That Will Not Let Go Series

## **Introduction – “A Love That Holds When Everything Else Changes”**

Video Ill.: Sermon Bumper 4

Change is one of life’s few certainties.

The seasons change. Our circumstances change.

People change.

The season of fall reminds us that everything in the world will eventually fade and decay. Amid the change, though, God and His truth remain unchanging.

Three weeks ago, we began our study, “Unchanging”, learning that the Word of God endures forever. God’s Word stands unshaken — it is living, active and eternal.

Two weeks ago, we saw the God who never changes. We saw that God’s character, His goodness, and His Son remain the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Last week, we were reminded of the timeless treasure which is the unchanging message of the gospel that never fails. The gospel has, is, and always will be God’s power to change the lives of sinners, and bring redemption to our lost world.

This morning, as everything around us continues to change, we can rest in one unshakable truth: God’s love never fails.

The way we feel about each other will change.

Relationships that once felt strong can grow distant.

Promises can be forgotten.

And sometimes, the people we thought would always be there… are not.

But there is one love that never changes — one love that never loosens its grip. It is the unchanging, unfailing, unstoppable love of God.

Unfailing Love/Commitment

By Steve Miller

(seen in "Marriage by Design," by Jason Freeman: http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=79738&ContributorID=6244) (Used in "Four Essentials to Great and Godly Marriages," by Steve Miller: http://www.sermoncentral.com/contributor_admin/sermon_view.asp?SermonID=88302)

Copied from Sermon Central

The following letter appeared in the Ann Lander’s newspaper column a few years ago. It is an amazing example of unfailing, unstoppable love. The article read:

"Dear Ann Landers: I’m going to tell you about a love story that I witness every time I go to the nursing home to see my husband who has Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, I know firsthand how this terrible illness affects family members, but I would like the world to know what love really is. I see a man who, I understand, has spent the last eight years caring for his wife who has Alzheimer’s. They have been married more than 50 years. He cooks and feeds her every bite of food she eats. He has bathed her and dressed her every day all these years. They have no other family. She lost a baby at birth and they never had any more children.

I cannot describe the tenderness and love that man shows for his wife. She is unable to recognize anyone, including him. The only things she shows any interest in are two baby dolls. They are never out of her hands.

I observed him when I parked my car beside his the other day. He sat in his old pickup truck for a few minutes, then he patted down, what little hair he had, straightened the threadbare collar of his shirt and looked in the mirror for a final check before going in to see his wife. It was as if he were courting her. They have been partners all these years and have seen each other under all kinds of circumstances, yet he carefully groomed himself before he called on his wife, who wouldn’t even know him. This is an example of the love and commitment the world needs today.”

I completely agree. That is the kind of love that our world needs today. That is the kind of unchanging, enduring, never failing love that we receive from God.

That is the exact definition of love that Paul gave in 1Corinthians 13:

7 [Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13, NIV)

Let’s take a few minutes together this morning to look at some of the aspects of that amazing love that God has for us — a love that does not let go!

## **1. God’s Love Cannot Be Broken**

Paul writes to the church in Rome, saying:

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No || power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8, NLT)

Paul said, “I am convinced.” It was settled for Paul. In his heart he knew that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

His mind was made up.

After all, look at all Paul did when he was Saul. He did his absolute best to try to destroy what belonged to God, yet God still loved him.