THE GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER TOLD
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Text: 1 John 4:10
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Introduction: There are many famous love stories in literature: Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella and her handsome prince, and others. Love stories are still published regularly. The used book stores are full of them.
The greatest love story ever told is the love of the Lord Jesus Christ for sinners. Look at our text again:
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
My testimony to you tonight is not about my love for God, but about His love for me. Many people stand up in testimony meetings and state, “I just want to say that I love the Lord.” I am not finding fault with that, but that could be taken as bragging. I’m more impressed with a testimony in which a person praises God for loving HIM. I love to meet
people who love the Lord, but I’m more impressed with the Lord who loves people!
The love of Jesus for sinners is the greatest love story ever told …
I. BECAUSE OF THE PERSONALITIES INVOLVED
A good part of what is called “news” today is nothing more than gossip stories about the love lives of the rich and famous.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This story is much better. It’s about:
A. The mighty, magnificent, marvelous Master of heaven and earth
B. The mindless, misdirected, miserable multitudes of people on earth
II. BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The problem is not, “How can a just God send good people to hell?” It is, “How can a just God send bad people to heaven?!!”
Consider:
A. The corrupt condition of man
B. The certain consequences of sin
And you have a problem, indeed! But thank God, this is also the greatest love story ever told …
III. BECAUSE OF THE PRICE PAID
1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
A. He left the glories of heaven
B. He lived as a man
1. Illus. – “The Prince and the
Pauper”
C. He let men humiliate Him
D. He lay down His life on the cross
IV. BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY FOR YOU
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
A. God proposes to you
B. God pleads with you
C. God promises you
1. His eternal presence and faithfulness
2. Eternal life
3. A mansion in Glory
4. Riches untold
V. BECAUSE OF THE PERMANENCE OF GOD’S LOVE
The Lord’s love for His people is
A. An unconditional love for the believer
B. An unchanging love
C. An unending love
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church |