LOVE - A testimony of God’s love for us as christians

By Rev. Hansen

Today we’re going to be bouncing back and forth between Romans and John in the bible. I want to show you just how much Love God has for us. If we are true believers of his word, and are full of the spirit that he has given each of us here today then these words will comfort you and strengthen your love for him as well.

Let us pray:

Father, help us to receive your message today. That your word inspire in our hearts to hear your message of love, and compassion. Guide me Lord to speak to the spirit of the lost that is here with us today that they may hear you knocking at their hearts door this morning. In the name of Jesus we ask that you touch each and every person here this morning and those who would read this on line that they may find you now. In Jesus’ Name we pray AMEN.

Turn in your Bibles now to Romans 8:

  1. LVB Says, We aren't saved from sin's grasp by knowing the commandments of God, because we can't and don't keep them.

If you go to any prison an ask them what the 10 commandments are many there will be able to tell you at least 4 of them if not all of them. But as we’ve just read, we can’t be saved mearly by knowing the commandments.

The KJV says it this way:

1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

  1. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
  2. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
  3. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

 

God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours--except that ours are sinful in nature – and he destroyed sin's control over us by giving himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Hold our place there for a moment as I turn to John 3:16

In John 3:16 – 19 we read

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.

17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

 

Now turn backs to Romans 8 again verse 4. Romans, as you know is our roadmap for faith. This Book teaches us, and shows us how we are to live on a daily basis with God.

In the LIVING BIBLE , we read in Romans 8 verse 4 –8 as

  1. So now we can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us.
  2. Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God.

The KJV says:

5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

6. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death,

7. because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God's laws and it never will.

  1. That's why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God.

Now let’s go back to John 3: again…

20. They hated the heavenly Light because they wanted to sin in the darkness. They stayed away from that Light for fear their sins would be exposed and they would be punished.

  1. But those doing right come gladly to the Light to let everyone see that they are doing what God wants them to.''

God loved us enough to send his son to die for us, he’s blessed us by the baptism of the holy spirit. When we talk about love, first we have to understand love. Here we’ve seen that if we follow God’s commandments that our salvation is not promised to us. It’s only by knowing God by faith, and following in his footsteps daily shall we be saved.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corithinans 15:58

Mathew 16:24-25 says:

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me."

25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

When we dedicate ourselves to the working in the spirit we’re richly rewarded – old things are made new. God puts us on his potter’s wheel and reshapes us from the inside out. WE become his vessel of love and light so others may see him through us.

If you are truly committed to the word, then delight in carrying your cross for him. God has a plan for you and your life today. Share the Gospel with those you meet and be willing to do his bidding what ever that may be today. Often times we’re put in a place we don’t like, doing jobs that are not to our standards but when we look back at 1corinthians 58 nothing we do is in vain as long as our labor is not in vain of the lord. God put you there to shine your light to others, be proud of the job you do for you’re not working to satisfy the flesh, you’re there to satisfy the spirit. The spirit of God in you. The rewards are yours in spirit not of the flesh, not in monetary gain but in spiritual gain. We become closer to God by doing God’s work, praying and fellowshipping with others about what God has done in our lives and why.

When we can show the world God’s love for us, and share our old sinful nature we can lift up God in our hearts. It’s not by faith alone that gives us a new life but it’s also by our works. That which we give back to those around us. God gives his salvation freely, so share it with others and let them know that God is real for you are a walking example of how God can take an old lumpy piece of clay and make something fantastic out of it. God Loves you, why wouldn’t you want to share that with others today.

Let us Pray:

Heavenly father, your word has touched many this morning here. Your word says that faith comes by hearing and hearing the word. Let your words touch the hearts of those who still suffer this day. Let them be able to draw near to you so you will draw near to them. Help them find you lord, and encourage them to seek you out more today. Lord we ask that you strengthen the hearts of those who are here, encourage them Lord, meet their needs and bestow blessings upon them as you see fit. In Jesus name Amen.