Message Notes

(I) THE LOVE OF GOD

1. Expressed

“Because the LORD loves you…” Deuteronomy 7:8a

“And He will love you and bless you…” Deuteronomy 7:13a

2. Evidenced

a) Deliverance from being slaves in Egypt ( Deuteronomy 7:8c )

b) Choosing of Israel to be a people for Himself ( Deuteronomy 7:6b )

c) Having a special regard for Israel (a special treasure) ( Deuteronomy 7:6c )

d) Many awesome promises made to Israel ( Deuteronomy 7:12-23 )

(II) REASONS FOR GOD’S LOVE

1. Unflattering Reasons

a) Not because of the size of the nation ( Deuteronomy 7:7 )

b) Not because of the righteousness of the nation ( Deuteronomy 9:4-6 )

c) Despite Israel’s being stiff-necked (stubbornness) ( Deuteronomy 9:13 )

2. Profound reason

“Because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers…” Deuteronomy 7:8a

a) God’s love is to be traced to the Person that He is

“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” Exodus 34:6

b) Essence of God

“God is love…” 1 John 4:8b, 16b

(III) EXPERIENCING THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST

1. God calls us His children

“Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God” 1 John 3:1

2. Christ laid down His life for us

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us…” 1 John 3:16

“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” 1 John 4:9

3. True Experience of God’s love

a) We are deeply touched

b) We are gloriously changed

c) The love of God becomes a distinguishing characteristic of our faith in Christ