UNDERSTANDING THE LOVE OF GOD John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God s love is SUPERNATURAL For GOD 1 John 3:1 (AMPC) See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.
God s love is EXTRAVAGANT For God SO LOVED Romans 5:5 (EXB) And this hope will never disappoint us [let us down; or put us to shame; dishonor us; C honor and shame were among the most important values in first century culture], because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts [or flooded our hearts with his love]. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.
God s love is INTENTIONAL For God so loved the WORLD Ephesians 1:3-4 (NKJV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
God s love is BENEVOLENT For God so loved the world that He GAVE Romans 5:7-8 (AMPC) Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
God s love is SACRIFICIAL For God so loved the world that He gave His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON 1 John 4:9 (NKJV) In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
God s love is SUBSTITUTIONAL For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES in Him Isaiah 53:4-5 (EXB) But He took [bore] our suffering on Him and felt our pain for us [carried our sorrows/sickness]. We saw his suffering and thought God was punishing Him [ L stricken and afflicted by Him; C God]. But He was wounded for the wrong we did [ T our transgressions]; He was crushed for the evil we did [ T our iniquities]. The punishment, which made us well [brought us wholeness/peace], was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds [lacerations; T stripes;]
God s love is PRESERVATIONAL For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him SHOULD NOT PERISH Jude 20-21 (AMPC) 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; 21 Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [which will bring you] unto life eternal.
God s love is EVERLASTING For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have EVERLASTING life Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV) The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
What happens when we understand the love of God towards us? The power of SIN is broken The power of the ACCUSER is broken The power of GUILT and SHAME is broken The power of CONDEMNATION is broken The power of FEAR is broken The power of SICKNESS is broken The power of DEATH is broken
What happens when we understand the love of God towards us? The power of SELF is broken
What happens when the power of SELF is broken? We are empowered with the supernatural ability to love as we have been loved John 13:34 (NKJV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that you also love one another
What happens when we love this way? John 13:35 (NKJV) By this ALL WILL KNOW that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
What happens when we love this way? Show me a church where there is love, and I will show you a church that is a power in the community. DL MOODY If only we could make the world believe that we loved them there would be fewer empty churches, and a smaller proportion of our population who never darken a church door. Let love replace duty in our church relations, and the world will soon be evangelized. DL MOODY
John 3:16 Supernatural Love Extravagant Love Intentional Love Benevolent Love Sacrificial Love Substitutional Love Preservational Love Everlasting Love