God's Love

A couple had been married for fifty years. “Things have really changed,” she said. “You used to sit so close to me.” “Well I can remedy that,” he said moving close to her on the couch. “And you used to hold me tight,” she said. “How’s that,” he said as he gave her a big hug. “ Do you remember you used to nuzzle my neck and nibble my ear lobes?” He jumped to his feet and left the room. “Where are you going?” “I’ll be right back,” he said, “I’ve got to go get my teeth!” Oh my. Last week we talked about reaching out, today we are looking at God’s love.

Say Mission statement, tell story and pray.

Transcend is defined as to go beyond the limits of; overstep; to be superior; surpass; excel.

I. God’s love transcends the problems of our life. (1)

“Then they came to the other side of the sea…” What had they just been through? A storm! Not just any storm, but a great storm that almost sunk every boat that was with them! Yet Jesus loved this man enough to go through that kind of storm. Jesus loves us enough to go through storms to get to us as well. He will endure the ferocious storms of anger; God, I can’t believe that you allowed that to happen. Why! Of misunderstandings; God, why do you allow bad things to happen to good people? Of disappointment; God, that really hurt. How do I know this? Because He loves you so much that He endured the worst storm that man could create. The cross!

Would you agree that Jeremiah went through storms? He was mocked and ridiculed publicly. He was thrown into prison for preaching God’s word. At this time Israel was under captivity. God tells Jeremiah this in chapter 31:3, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Folks, the good news is this, that Jesus is willing to go through the storms of life to reach you. He willingly extends His nail-scarred hands to you.

There was another storm. The disciples thought that they would perish. At the final moment they saw Jesus walking on the water. At first they thought it was ghost. Then Jesus identified Himself. Peter then says, “Lord if that is you, bid me to come to You.” Jesus says, “come”. Peter walks on the water. Then he notices the storm, the wind and the waves. And Peter sinks. After he cries out, there is Jesus extending His hand out to Peter. We find Jesus in the midst of many storms, always extending His hand out!

Have you found yourself in any storms lately? I can promise you that when you call to Him, He is no farther than the length of His arm, and His arm is reaching out to you!

Knowing how much that Jesus loves us, what storm are we willing to go through to reflect His love to our community?

II. God’s love transcends the prevention of the law. (2-3)

“And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs;”

It wasn’t lawful to hang around anyone that was unclean, little on anyone who had an unclean spirit. The graves were definitely unclean! So this man had a double dose of unclean! However, we find Jesus hanging around. This isn’t the only time Jesus hung out with the unclean. How about the lepers? Those with a skin disease so bad that it was deadly to them, and to anyone around them! Yet Jesus willingly walked among them, touched and healed them. I believe that He healed them spiritually as well. Do you know of any hurting, ugly people? Maybe you feel ugly today, like a leper. Do you believe that Jesus can heal you?

Not only did Jesus hang out with lepers, but He also hung out with anyone who would let Him. Like the local drug dealers. Matthew and Zacheaus were tax collectors. They were despised because they took advantage of people. Somewhat like our drug dealers of the day.

Why? Because Jesus transcends the law. Do you remember when the disciples ate grain from the fields on the Sabbath? The Pharisees saw it and accused them of being unlawful. Jesus tells them a biblical story of David, and says these dramatic words, 6“Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7“But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8“For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mt. 12) Is the law good enough to save you? No, Romans tells us that the law cannot save!