Growing as Theologians: Love of God (Part 2)

“Love of God”

“ … to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that

surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

(Ephesians 3:18–19)

I. God Is Love

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

A. God’s Love Is Universal

“For God does not show favoritism.” (Romans 2:11)

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of

the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4)

““For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not

perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

B. God’s Love Is Unconditional

“The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other

peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you …” (Deuteronomy

7:7–8)

C. God’s Love is Initiating

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”” (Luke 19:10)

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and

eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

““No one can come to me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44)

II. God’s Love Is Personal

A. The Father Invites Us to Be His Children

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is

what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

B. Jesus Dies to Make Us Worthy Children

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live

through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning

sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9–10)

C. Receiving God’s Love

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be

condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)