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“What Manner of Love!”
Text: 1 Jn.3: 1-3 Intro.: In this epistle of 1 Jn. we find that God is Light (Ch.1-2), God is Love (Ch.3-4) and God is Life (Ch.5). The grandest, most glorious truth in all of Scripture is the truth of God’s love. His love is incomprehensible, limitless, unconditional, eternal, pure and was manifested to the world upon the cross of Calvary. The Bible declares, “God is love.” More songs have been written about God’s love than about any other attribute. More sermons have been preached, and more sinners converted by the love of God than by any other attribute. Here is just one song: “Could we with ink the oceans fill, and were the skies 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 oceans dry, Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky. Oh love of God how rich and pure, How measureless and strong, It shall forever more endure, The saints and angel’s song.” Consider the greatest verse about the love of God in the Bible – Jn.3: 16 God - The greatest lover, so loved - The greatest degree, the world - the greatest number, that he gave - The greatest act, his only begotten Son - The greatest gift, that whosoever - The greatest invitation, believeth - The greatest simplicity, in Him - The greatest person, should not perish - The greatest deliverance, but - The greatest difference, have - The greatest certainty, everlasting life - The greatest possession. It is a Divine Love - God, It is a Superabounding Love - so loved, It is an Unmerited Love - the world, It is a Sacrificial Love - that He gave, It is an Inclusive Love - whosoever believeth, It is a Delivering Love - not perish, It is a Bestowing Love - but have everlasting life! The Love of God is the ocean from which the river of salvation takes it source. The manner of God’s love is marvelous in its object - Man - not holy, good, lovely; but vile, fallen, corrupt, rebels, enemies and hateful! “As a sinner depraved I was headed for destruction, My life was so ruined by sin and distressed, But the Saviour stepped in and He read my pardon, He said come unto me and I’ll give you rest, Chorus: What manner of love, Oh how could it be that a poor wretched sinner can come and get salvation free? What manner of love, Oh how can it be that a heavenly King should come and die for me? Like an innocent lamb he was brought to the slaughter, As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, He hung there forlorn for things that I’ve done, Hallelujah I’m saved and the victory’s won. Chorus. In light of this manner of love . . .
Every Believer must praise God for the amazing love He has bestowed upon us!
A) Because we are called the sons of God (vs.1-2) 1) Jn.1: 12 2) We are partakers of His nature by the Spirit dwelling in us. 3) We are adopted into His family - “Placed as sons.” 4) We are endowed with His name - God’s sons. 5) We are distinguished by privileges - Dwelling with God, sitting at His table, enjoying His counsel, His care and blessing! 6) We are heirs to a Divine Inheritance - Heirs of eternal life, salvation, heaven, and God Himself! 7) The cause of God bestowing His love and calling us His sons is His grace. 8) Consider - “when we were” Ro.5: 6, “while we were” Ro.5: 8, “When we were” Ro.5: 10, “even when we were” Eph.2: 5 (1)
9) We must praise God for the amazing love He has bestowed upon us because we are called “sons of God.”
B) Because the World knows Him not (v.1) 1) Therefore the world can’t praise Him (They don’t even know Him). But we do, therefore we can praise Him! 2) Jn.1: 11-12 3) We must praise God for the amazing love He has bestowed upon us because the world will not praise Him! Will you?
C) Because We shall be like Him (v.2) 1) We shall have a body like His body - Sinless, incorruptible, painless, spiritual, clothed with beauty and power, yet most real and true. 2) We shall have a soul like His soul - Perfect, holy, developed, strengthened, active, delivered from temptation, conflict and suffering. 3) Phil.3: 20-21, Ro.8: 29 4) We are kings, priests, conquerors, judges and sons of God! 5) We must praise God for the amazing love He has bestowed upon us because we shall be like Him!
D) Because it causes us to Purify ourselves (v.3) 1) 2 Cor.6: 17-7: 1 2) We are to purify ourselves from: “Our grosser sins” - From evil company, bad habits, smoking, drinking, etc. “Our secret sins” - neglects, imaginings, desires, murmurings etc. “Our besetting sins” - of heart, temper, body, relationships etc. “Our sins” of word, thought, action and omission! 3) We do this by: A) Getting a closer notion of what purity really is. B) Having a tender conscience and bewailing our faults. C) A conscience awareness of God’s presence at all times. D) By asking the Lord to search us and know our hearts. E) Self examination. 4) We must set Jesus before us as our model, “even as He is pure.” 5) A believer needs Christ in His redemption as the object of “Faith” for salvation; Christ Himself the object of “Love” for devotion and service; and Christ in His coming glory, the object of “Hope” for separation from the world. 6) ILL.: Just as a bride prepares for her wedding day, we too are to prepare to meet our heavenly Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. Plans are laid, dress made and put on in anticipation of seeing the bridegroom. Not found in uncleanness or vile raiment, but clean, perfumed, and attired in the best garments. “The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” (Rev.19: 7). 7) We must praise God for the amazing love He has bestowed upon us because it will cause us to purify ourselves!
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Conclusion: How can we praise God for the amazing love He has bestowed upon us? 1) By living up to our position as sons of God (v.1). 2) By desiring His appearing (v.2) 3) By purifying ourselves in preparation for our heavenly groom (v.3)!
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