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BEHOLD OUR FATHER’S MANNER OF LOVE
I John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.There are two key words we want to consider in this verse.
"Behold" which means to look at something. It is an attention getter. When you see the word "behold" in the Bible that means God wants us to stop and pay attention. There is something very, very important about to said or seen.
"Manner" which means the kind or characteristic of that which we are to see.
So, what the apostle is saying is this: "Stop and look at the kind of love our Father has lavished or bestowed upon us.
I. It Is Unusual Love
A. It is unusual because of the objects of it.
If it were angels we might understand it.
If it were some other beautiful creatures that God had created perhaps we could understand a little better.
But man, the very creature who hated Him, and would one day crucify Him, how could it be that that is the object of His love?
1.People are sinners
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2.We are law-breakers
I John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
3.We are not good.
Psalms 53:6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
B. It is unusual because of the sacrifice which He made.
Love gives and sacrifices. The more one loves the more one gives. How much did God love us? So much that He gave the best that He had.
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.
II. It Is Unconditional Love
A. We did not deserve it.
B. We did not earn it. It is not a reward for our work or service to Him.
It is not a reciprocal act; that is, He did not love us in return for our love towards Him.
I 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.
Illustration:
Dwight D. Eisenhower had a brother who did not rise to prominence as did he. At a celebration in honor of Dwight someone said to Mrs. Eisenhower, the mother, "You must be proud of your son," to which she replied, "Which Son? I have two you know!"
III. It Is Universal Love
A. It reaches to the uttermost bounds of humanity.
Evangelist J. Harold Smith often said, "God not only saves to the uttermost, but He saves to the gutter most."
Oliver B. Greene always prayed this prayer before he began his message, "god save that soul who is nearest Hell."
B. It crosses all barriers: social, racial, economical, political, and yes, even religious, and says, "I LOVE YOU!!!"
Illustration:
As we visited for our Vacation Bible School we went down into the
ghetto section of our city. There we say sorrow, poverty and sin on every
street. Little children were hungry, scantily dressed, hurting for a
little love and attention. Most of them had no one to care for them during
the day as their mothers had to work in order to exist. As we visited them
the little song, "Jesus loves the little children" kept coming
to my mind.
"Jesus loves the little children of the world, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white they are precious in His sight. Yes, Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Sermon From Pastor Charles Worley
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