Message Notes

THE LOVE OF GOD

1. This was a strong doctrine taught in the OT

a) God’s loving regard for His people (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

b) His declaration of love (Isaiah 43:4)

2. Paul affirmed God’s love

a) The love of God had been poured out in our hearts (Romans 5:5)

b) The Holy Spirit is the One who helps us understand God’s love (Romans 5:5)

c) God’s demonstration of His divine love for mankind (Romans 5:8)

i) Christ died for the ungodly

ii) Christ died for the sinful

3. The theme of love in the New Testament

a) God’s love for the world (John 3:16)

b) Christ’s love for His own- to the very end (John 13:1)

c) God’s love to be deeply appreciated (1 John 3:1)

4. Justification
Three aspects must be given due consideration: –

a) Justified by His grace (Romans 3:24)

b) By faith (Romans 3:27; 5:1)

c) By Christ’s blood (Romans 5:9)

5. The Place of God’s Love in God’s redemptive plan

a) God’s love was always there

i) Depth

ii) Consistency

iii) Demonstration

b) The many facets of God’s kind of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

i) Love suffers long

ii) Is kind

iii) Love does not envy

iv) Love does not parade itself

v) Is not puffed up

vi) Does not behave rudely

vii) Does not seek its own

viii) Is not provoked

ix) Thinks no evil

x) It does not rejoice in iniquity

xi) But rejoices in the truth

xii) Bears all things

xiii) Believes all things

xiv) Hopes all things

xv) Endures all things

xvi) Love never fails

6. The great challenge

a) To respond to God’s love appropriately (Psalm 18:1)

b) To love God with all our heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5)

c) To remain in Christ’s love (John 15:9-10)

d) To learn how to love one another (John 15:12)

e) To make sure we do not abandon our first love (Revelation 2:4)