1. GOD’S LOVE FOR US

1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world” – Heaven’s brightest beam.

“That he gave his only-begotten Son” – Earth’s greatest theme.

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish” – God’s simplest scheme.

“But have everlasting life” – Life’s purest stream.

Rhyming outline

1. For God – the Lord of earth and heaven,
2. So loved – and longed to see forgiven,
3. The world – in sin and pleasure mad,
4. That he gave – the greatest gift he had –
5. His only Son – to take our place,
6. That whosoever – oh, what grace!-
7. Believeth – placing simple trust
8. In him – the Righteous and the Just,
9. Should not perish – lost in sin,
10. But have eternal life – in him.

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,/ Were the whole sky 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 ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

2. OUR LOVE FOR CHRIST

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

Love – distinguishing marks

If we love a person, we want to:-

• think about him
• hear about him
• read about him
• please him
• share his friends
• defend his name and honour
• talk about him
• be with him

 

3. OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER

John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

‘What does love look like?  It has hands to help others.  It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.  It has eyes to see misery and want.  It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.  That is what love looks like.’  (Augustine)

Galatians 5:22f But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Love the key to the fruit of the Spirit

‘Love is the key.  Joy is love singing.  Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring.  Kindness is love’s touch.  Goodness is love’s character.  Faithfulness is love’s habit.  Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness.  Self-control is love holding the reins.’  (D.G. Barnhouse)