SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Romans 5:8) KJV “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Ephesians 2:4-5) (4) “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” (5) “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved;”
(Ephesians 2:8-9) (8): "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (9) "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
(John 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."
PROLOGUE
In this sermon, titled 'The Path to God’s Unconditional Love, ' we will explore God's unchanging, always-present love. God’s Holy Word tells us that God is the essence of love.
Two of our founding scriptures, Romans 5:8 and Ephesians 2:4-5, illustrate this by stating that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, emphasizing that God’s love does not depend on our worthiness or behavior.
God’s unconditional love transcends human understanding and comprehension. It encourages us to examine our lives deeply, illuminating the truth that we are cherished and valued despite our flaws and shortcomings.
God’s unconditional love is a comforting embrace, a reassurance that we are accepted for who we are, imperfections and all. It instills in us a profound sense of belonging, comforting us in our journey and inspiring us to extend that same love and acceptance to others.
Many people struggle with the idea that they must earn God’s love through good deeds or by achieving moral perfection. This belief can often lead to unnecessary burdens and a sense of inadequacy. Instead, it is essential to recognize that grace is a gift freely offered, not a reward to be earned. Grace is like a gift that we don't deserve but God gives us anyway, out of His love for us.
"SALVATION IS A GIFT FROM GOD"
To fully grasp God's unconditional love, we must first recognize that “Salvation is a gift” given freely by grace through faith. We are saved by grace, not through our efforts or works. This understanding brings a sense of liberation, knowing that no one can earn salvation through good deeds alone.
Through Jesus's supreme sacrifice, who willingly laid down His life to atone for our sins, the pathway to God’s life-changing grace has been opened to everyone who chooses to accept His free gift of forgiveness.
This gift of grace is not just an offer of pardon but a transformative gift that can fundamentally change our lives. It inspires hope, restores our brokenness, and empowers us to live with purpose and love.
By embracing this transforming grace, we embark on a journey of spiritual renewal and personal growth, drawing closer to God and experiencing the fullness of life He intends for each of us.
Our relationship with God is built on His mercy and grace, which is his unmerited or (undeserved) favor. The Holy Bible teaches that our righteousness before God is like filthy rags.
Understanding grace is not just a theological concept, but a necessity for anyone seeking to grow in their faith and navigate the difficulties of living a Christian life.
God does not have any grownups in this walk of faith, nor does he have grandchildren, for we are all being changed and conformed daily into the image of his dear Son. The word says that the Angels of his children, always behold the face of their father.
Some people experience greater spiritual growth and maturity than others, often due to enduring severe trials. They had no way of overcoming these trials on their own but while giving up, they encountered God's grace and emerged with a deeper understanding of themselves and their world.
The path of a Christian is an ongoing journey of spiritual development. This path involves a deep and continual exploration of God’s character through a disciplined prayer life and diligent study of the Holy Scriptures.
One way to make your journey exciting and increase your faith is to keep a journal of your experiences. In this journal, you can record your prayers, insights from Scripture, and reflections on how God is working in your life. This practice can help you track your spiritual growth and deepen your relationship with God.
"THREE PRINCIPLES FOR COMPREHENDING GOD'S LOVE & GRACE."
1. The Unconditional Nature of Love and Grace: God’s love and grace are given freely, without any conditions. They are not rewards for good behavior but gifts that reflect His boundless compassion.
2. Grace is a Gift; it is not Earned: Grace is a gift from God that cannot be earned; it is given to us solely because of God's nature, not based on our actions or worthiness.
3. The Distinction Between Grace and Mercy: Grace is the act of receiving favor or blessings that we do not deserve. Mercy focuses on withholding punishment that we rightfully deserve for our shortcomings or wrongdoings.
"EMBRACING GOD'S LOVE IN TRIALS."
After the Lord sent me to minister in the Philippines, I noticed that some people struggled to understand me. This prompted me to develop a new way to deliver my message in a more subdued and relatable manner, resonating better with the Filipino audience.
While most people in the Philippines could speak English, they often had difficulty comprehending preachers who presented their messages loudly and emotionally, which was the norm for me in the United States.
I was preparing a message to minister in our Miracle Life Church in Fortune Valenzuela, Philippines. I had sought the Lord and prayerfully composed a message titled "The Majestic Love of God."
I was convinced the message was meant for that congregation, but God had other plans. It would soon be revealed to me that God had inspired this message for a young, troubled boy who had recently lost his father.
After placing the message in the little notebook my wife had designed for me, we decided to visit the bookstore in a nearby mall. There, we encountered a nineteen-year-old Filipino boy who had just experienced the loss of his father, who had tragically passed away in another country.
We learned that his father had lost his life while visiting another country, and the young, lonely, confused teen is now stranded in the Philippines. Feeling heartbroken and all alone, the young boy sought refuge by visiting the nearby Christian Bookstore.
The bookstore is near where the young boy was staying with a relative. His heart and mind were filled with questions, wondering if God was accurate and, if he did exist, if he loved him.
He had made friends with the store manager, who allowed him to browse and read through his books of choice that were on display in the store.
My wife and I discovered he would look for books about understanding God's love because he needed answers to many questions in his heart and confused mind.
The boy felt an overwhelming desire to find books to reassure him of God's love. He was haunted by questions such as, “If God is real, does He truly love me?”
During this challenging time, we encountered a compassionate store manager, a woman whose heart mirrored the love of Christ. Since our first meeting, she and her husband have become family to us, and she has written the forward on some of my published books.
The store manager reached out to the frightened boy, who was grappling with a profound sense of loss in the absence of his earthly father's affection.
After witnessing and ministering to this troubled young boy for a few days, my wife, I, and the store manager led this nineteen-year-old confused boy to Christ.
After witnessing the young boy accept Christ into his heart, we instantly noticed a change in his complexion. My wife and I asked the store manager if she had seen which books he had been reading. We wanted to provide him with resources to nurture his faith further, and we gladly purchased those titles for him.
While browsing the shelves, I came across another book that I thought would be helpful, only to realize it was one he had already been reading. The divine connection with the message, which I thought was for a church, and the chance encounter with the young boy still has a soft spot in my heart today.
This experience further emphasized the importance of compassion and follow-up ministry. The main point is that “this young teen went home beginning to understand his worth in the eyes of God.”
Grasping the attributes of God's love is vital for our spiritual growth, as it significantly enhances our understanding of compassion, forgiveness, and grace.
These qualities shape our relationship with God, influence how we interact with others, and navigate life's challenges. Incorporating these virtues into our daily lives can be demanding, often requiring us to confront our shortcomings and biases.
Through the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can find the strength to persevere in this journey. It is important to remember that embodying these qualities does not happen overnight; it involves a continuous effort of introspection, learning, and applying what we learn in real-world situations.
MY CONCLUSION
For the last two and one-half years, my lovely wife and I have conducted monthly revivals throughout the Philippines. I do not wish to live one minute past the time it takes to fulfill what God had planned for me, written in his books, before I was born.
I pray that when I come to the end of my life, I will become so empty from pouring into the lives of others that I have nothing left to give. I pray that all I have left is the legacy the Lord allows me to leave behind, along with his signature through me, to future generations. I am proud to say that throughout my many years in ministry, I have never tracked the number of conversions that may have stemmed from my efforts.
From testimonies, I know that thousands have been touched worldwide. Instead of concentrating on a numerical tally of successes, I entrust that responsibility to God. I believe each individual’s journey toward faith is unique and profoundly valuable.
Beloved, each person encounters struggles, revelations, and moments of grace, contributing to their growth and understanding. My assignment is to introduce people to a marvelous, loving Creator who intricately designed their lives, overseeing their paths with care and purpose, knowing the outcome before it begins.
My assignment is to be a supportive and guiding hand in their journeys, offering encouragement and love rather than merely counting numbers or conversions. I believe that the accurate measure of my impact lies in the heartfelt connections I build and the faith I inspire rather than in statistics or data on someone's register.
The Holy Bible warns us that fire will test our works, including our stewardship over what God has entrusted us with. That said, I wish to conclude this message by sharing my favorite verse from the Bible with you. I apply it to everything I do for the kingdom of God. It stays refreshed in my mind when I minister to pagan tribes in other countries.
The verse can be found in Psalms 19:14. This inspiring verse echoes throughout my entire being. I am referencing myself as being in the mindset of Apostle Paul when he said in the book of Philippians 3:10, that he wanted to know Christ and know him in the power of his resurrection.
I would hate to get to Heaven and discover I missed what I could have had here. I am believing that I will witness, in my ministry, which the Lord has entrusted me with, that I will see limbs grow back that were once amputated. According to eyewitnesses, this happened in the 1906 Azusa Street revival, and my bible tells me in the book of Hebrews 13:8, that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."
This verse is a comforting assurance that our Lord is reliable and unchanging in a changing world. To say that God who is perfect, gave a gift for the day's of the Apostles and that gift is not for us today is to say that God gave an imperfect gift, which is on the border line of blasphemy.
(Psalms 19:14) "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
