LOVE BEYOND ALL MEASURE
John 15:12-13
Christmas Series 2008
The love of God is incomprehensible to each one of us. We cannot comprehend the magnitude of how God really does love us. Many hymns have been written with the main priority of describing God’s love.
One in particular:
“The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches o the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled, and pardoned from his sin.”
“When years of time shall pass away and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure shall still endure, all measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race – the saints’ and angels’ song.
“O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure – the saints’ and angels’ song!’
Oh how true – measureless and strong. Greater than any tongue or pen can tell. Why did God send His son to this earth – His love for mankind – to give us a chance!
This morning – we look at 4 descriptions of God’s love from Scripture. I pray that you possess God’s love in your life.
TEXT
I. God’s love is UNCONDITIONAL
It is not based on our performance
Romans 5:8
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
It is based on His sovereign choice and His mercy
Deuteronomy 7:7-8
“The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any other people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sword unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you.”
Oath refers to the Abrahamic Covenant
Genesis 12:2-3
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Friends – God’s love is UNCONDITIONAL for each one of us today
His love has nothing to do with our goodness
His love has nothing to do with our performance
God already knows the worst about every one of us here today – yet, He chose to love us
II. God’s love is UNFATHOMABLE
WOW – God’s love lasts Forever
Psalm 103:15-17
“As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the pace thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children.”
The quote “Everlasting to everlasting” sticks out – there is no end to God’s love – to God’s mercy – to God’s grace – for you and I. Why not trust Him? Why not give your life to Him? Why not commit to serving Him fully?
He knows you and I better than we know ourselves:
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet of the nations.”
He cares for you and I and listens for our call:
Jeremiah 33:3
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
He loved us enough to send His son to die for our sins – to give us hope:
John 15:13
“No greater love hath any man than this – that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
God’s love is UNFATHOMABLE for it lasts Forever
III. God’s love is UNFAILING
Regardless of the situation – God’s love never fails!
Isaiah 54:10
“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.”
Isaiah 43:1-2
“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
Once you give your heart and life to Christ – He’ll always be with you!
When times get tough – He’ll be there
When times are great – He’ll be there
When times are so=so – He’ll be there
See, God’s love is UNFAILING
Finally, a point that may be surprising to some:
IV. God’s love is UNNECESSARY
Unnecessary? Yes – you heard me right.
God doesn’t have to love us. God didn’t have to love us, but you see, He did!
The 107th Psalm is broken down into 5 sections:
1. God’s redemptive power
2. His deliverance from Transgressions
3. His deliverance from storms
4. God’s Power over nature
5. Deliverance comes straight from God
Psalm 107:43
“Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.”
What are you and I doing with God’s love?
Are we living for him daily?
Are we sharing his word daily?
Are we faithful to him?
See, so many times, we push God aside – putting our priorities in front of God’s desires for our lives.
Unconditional – God loves us no matter what
Unfathomable – God’s love is Forever
Unfailing – God’s love will never fail
Unnecessary – God loves us, even though He could choose otherwise
What are we doing with God’s love?
See it really is a “LOVE THAT GOES BEYOND MEASURE”
