THE HOPE FOUND IN LOVE
John 15:13
TEXT: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
PROPOSITION: To present a salvation gospel message.
INTRODUCTION:
I. HOPE IS FOUND IN THE MEASURE OF GOD’S LOVE FOR US
"Greater love ..."
Application: God made mankind in order to love them and with the desire that man should love Him.
How big is God’s love?
Ephesians 2:4,5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved,
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
II. HOPE IS FOUND IN THE EXPRESSION OF GOD’S LOVE TOWARD US "Greater love has no man ...”
Illustration: Valentine candy; roses; diamond rings etc. used to express love.
Application: No greater expression of love can be found than the fact that God took on humanity for you.
Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 14. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.
III. HOPE IS FOUND IN THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S LOVE BEFORE US
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Quote: You can give without loving, but no man can love without giving.
1 John 4:9-10 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
IV. HOPE IS FOUND THE RESULT OF GOD’S LOVE AVAILABLE TO ALL OF US
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends ... “
Quote: Elbert Hubbard defines a friend as: "One who knows all about you and loves you just the same."
Colossians 1:21-22 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
CONCLUSION:
1. You may feel that you’ve moved beyond God’s love but the Good News is: God’s love reaches farther than you have gone or will ever go. He’s able to reach out and change your life right now, today.
2. Maybe you’ve been serving God but somehow things have blurred His vision for your life. Maybe you need to renew your servant’s heart and assume Christ’s attitude of servant hood to others.
3. Perhaps you know that Christ died for your sin but you are still having a problem with sin in your life. Perhaps you need to surrender your struggle with sin to God who alone can give the victory.
4. Maybe you’ve heard for the first time that God wants you to be His friend, and deep inside you have wanted His friendship more than anything.
