Intro. We have made it through another Easter season. If there is ever a time we see the love of God, it is this time of year. If we are not careful, we will take the TRUTH of the Death, Burial and resurrection of Christ for granted. How Big is our God? How much do we believe He loves us?
And though we cannot measure this love, we can by faith, enjoy this love!
As the poet wrote the beautiful words that were later put to music:
“Could 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 oceans dry, nor could the scroll, contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.”
I. The Declaration of the Scriptures - Eph. 3:14-20 Paul was concerned for the church, and wanted them to know the love of God, and understand it more. Why?
A. To be Reinforced by the Power of God -vs. 16 (strengthened - to make strong)
1. Plentiful Strength (according to God’s riches)
2. Powerful Strength- (might is the same word as power in Acts 1:8)
3. Prevailing Strength- (Control of the inner man)
We do not have to make excuses for failure in our Christian lives - Yes, we will have battles, and weaknesses, and struggles - But God will reinforce us through love.
B. To be Rooted in the Love of God - vs. 17
1. Abiding in His Fellowship- Christ may dwell- He taught the same principle in John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
2. Attached Firmly to the Source - We then have a double metaphor
- one based on agriculture - rooted, fixed as a tree deep in rich soil
- one based on architecture - grounded, foundation - set on the Rock.
C. To Realize (comprehend) the Love of God - vs. 18 (Impossible in the flesh) When Paul wrote to the church, He desired for them to be able to grasp the reality of the Love of God. It is as if the Apostle Paul stepped into a science class to declare his desire for God’s people to learn the Love of God. Science will measure things by space and time. In Eph. 3, Paul uses the infinite vastness of the universe to describe God’s love - vs. 18
- Length reaches from one eternity to another;
- Breadth to all in all ages, places, and nations;
- Depth to those in the lowest state of sin;
- Height to take us to an exalted state in glory. It cannot be measured!
One of the early church leaders described his feelings on the love of God “I am like a man digging in a deep spring; I stand here, and the water riseth upon me; I stand there, and still the water riseth upon me. But though we cannot ever know it all, yet we may and must grow in the knowledge of this love of Christ, in the searching of this sea that hath neither bank nor bottom; ..."the deeper the sweeter."
D. To be Resolved in the Love of God - vs. 19
1. Resolved in our Knowledge - "Know" means to feel and perceive. We are not saved by feelings, but we can feel God’s presence if we are FILLED! So close to the Lord that we know His presence and compassion in our lives. This exceeds man’s reasoning! But we can be resolved in His love.
2. Resolved in His Control - Be Filled - Fulness is the word used to say that ship was completely manned with a full crew and all needed equipment. Completely controlled by God (possible or it would not be commanded!)
E. To be Rested in the Love of God - vs. 20-21
1. An Unwavering Faith - vs. 20
- In God’s Ability - HE IS ABLE
Lewis: "Miracles are an interference with nature by supernatural power.” God is able! "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us"
- In God’s Attentiveness - (Ask or Think)
- In God’s Authority - His Power In Us
2. A Worthy God - vs. 21
- His Glory is for Him - Unto Him and him alone
- His Glory is by Him - He has given us the right and ability to praise Him.
- His Glory is Like Him - FOREVER AND EVER.
And then Paul declares - AMEN! - This is true!, That’s right, That’s what I’m talkin’ about - the Magnificent love of God is Declared in the Scriptures!
II. The Demonstration of the Savior - And as we have seen this in Ephesians as Paul spoke to the church, I want to take a quick tour through Matthew, not all the activities of Christ, but a few that show us the demonstration of God’s Love. Each time, the Lord gives His attention (sees them) Each time the Lord is moved with affection! (Compassion) What can se see in His demonstration?
A. The Lord Understands our Predicament - Mt 9:35 "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
1. We are a Weak bunch without Him - (fainted - growing weak and weary)
2. We are a Wandering bunch without Him - scattered, wandering around with no hope, no direction, and sadly - DO NOT REALIZE IT most of the TIME! He wants to be our Shepherd.
B. The Lord Understands our Pains - Mt. 14:13 "When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick."
1. They Followed the Lord - indication of diligence and devotion
Maybe this is one reason when we do not see God’s provision.
2. They were Freed by the Lord - healed their sick
The pains of their lives were confronted with the Master’s compassion!
3. They Found Provision in the Lord - vs. 15-21 Jesus fed the 5000
C. The Lord Understands our Pressures- Mt. 15:32 "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."
1. The Pressures of our Daily Needs - Jesus knew their hunger.
2. The Pressures of our Deficient Memories - Jesus knew their forgetfulness. This time, the Lord feeds the 4000. It is amazing that the disciples did not know what to do - had they so quickly forgotten the miracle of 5000 fed? How oft we forget His goodness to us, only giving in to the pressures of the present!
D. The Lord Understands our Peril - Mt 20:30-34
1. Their Condition - they could not see any hope!
2. Their Cry - The heard of the Answer of Christ
3. Their Call - Jesus stopped, and called them unto Himself
4. Their Change - Eyes were opened, and they followed Jesus
2Co 4:4 "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
- He changed their Direction - when you are changed by Jesus, you will follow Him.
The Scripture Declared it, The Lord Demonstrated His it, and last we see:
III. The Delight of the Saved - Jo 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
A. The People that God Loves - God so loved the World
B. The Price of God’s Love - He GAVE His only begotten Son
C. The Pleasure of God’s Love - Redeemed how I love to proclaim it!
Matthew 9:13 "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." He came to those in need! If you do not need Him, you will never accept Him. 1 Timothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." GOD is GOOD!
Concl. To Comprehend the Love of God, we must see it Declared in the Scriptures, Demonstrated by the Saviour, and then experience the Delight of being Saved!
Do you believe the Declaration of the Scriptures?
Do you believe the Demonstration of the Savior?
Have you experienced the Delight of Being Saved?
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. It is all for His Glory.
