Sermon Starters from the Junior Bible Quiz Fact Pak
Quotation Questions
What things can separate us from God's love?
Romans 8:38,39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Purpose: This passage inspires confidence in God's love. It tells us that God's love for us cannot be taken away from us and that we cannot be taken away from God's love. Confidence is a form of trust based on the belief that someone or something is reliable and that belief does not need to be reevaluated.
How to introduce this sermon: People need to be reminded that all human relationships fail or end. Marriage, the most sacred of love relationships, often fail. When they don't, death separates them. In fact, all human relationships end with death or failure. However, God's love never ends. He always loves people. He has the power to love us for eternity and will love us for all eternity.
Proposition: Nothing can separate you from God's love.
I. God loves you when you are alive or dead.
a. Mortality is not a problem for God's love. He will love you whether you are alive or dead. You are composed of spirit, and that is what He sees. While you are alive, He sees you, knows you and loves you. You are, after all, spirit. But after you are gone, you are still spirit and still conscious. He sees you, knows you, and loves you even then. From God's perspective, nothing has changed. The only change is the location of your spirit. You went from the realm of earth to the realm of His presence. And, even after your life ends here, you are still loved.
b. Biblical support: Lazarus was cared for after he had passed on from this life. He received comfort and love while he was in Paradise while the rich man, who rejected God's love was separated from Lazarus. God loved and cared about both of them, but one had chosen to respond to God's love. And, because of that choice, he was cared for and loved even after his life on this earth was done.
c. The lesson from this point: God loves you know matter what and your life and death won't change that. God is present on both sides of your life and death.
II. The Supernatural cannot end God's love for you.
a. All supernatural beings or things were created by God and are subject to Him. I have heard of people casting spells on others. But, they can't take away God's love for you. I have heard of people being tempted away from God's love through horoscopes, and other occult practices. But, they cannot take away God's love for you. I have known people who subjected themselves to horror movies who have been influenced to believe in the evil activity of evil beings. However, the greatest evil cannot remove God's love for you. Even some religious practice with it's good intentions misleads people and tempts them away from the free gift of God's salvation. Yet, even then, it cannot remove God's love for you.
b. Biblical support: The serpent tempted Adam and Eve and succeeded in causes them to fail, but did not succeed in separating them from God. The devil himself tempted Jesus, and did not succeed. An oracle was hired to cast spells on the people of Israel before they entered Canaan, but he couldn't do it. God's love for the people was too powerful for the supernatural to succeed.
c. The lesson: All supernatural beings are subject to God. Even the demons believe and tremble. Therefore, love of God for you persists even when demons themselves try to separate you from His love.
III. The circumstances of your life cannot separate you from God's love.
a. All people have problems. And what is worse, is that people invest time and energy worrying about those problems and the problems they might possible face in the future. You need to know that God's love for you cannot be separated by your problems or the ones that you imagine might be in the future. God's love for you is not something he merely feels. When God said “I love you”, He was saying “I will care for you.” It was a marriage vow that never ends. You have no problems that God's is not personally involved in. Problems are opportunities for you to become closer to Him. You don't need to worry about future problems, either. He will be there for you then, too.
b. Biblical support: “My God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory.” “If this is how God takes care of the sparrow, how much more will he take care of your needs?”
c. The Lesson: There are times when you will face crises that will cause you to wonder where God is and whether He cares for you. Have faith, He loves you despite your circumstances.
IV. Governments and rulers cannot take away God's love from you.
a. It has been tried before. Governments have oppressed believers in Jesus and failed. We have heard news reports of Christ's followers being arrested and killed in other countries and even our own. But, the love of God persists. Even unofficial rulers, like community leaders and family “rulers” have attempted to separate people from God's love. All will fail. God wields all power.
b. Biblical support: The story of Esther recounts an attempt to suppress the Jews that failed. The story of Daniel records a similar attempt. They failed.
c. The lesson: The Soviets failed. The Nazi's failed. ISIL will fail. Iran will fail. God's love for you cannot be taken from you by anyone.
V. You can't get away from God's love.
a. There are places that seem like God's love is absent. People feel closer to God at church worshiping with others. But God's love is just as present with you when you are alone. He is just as present and loving you in a prison, in solitary confinement. He is present and loving you when you are in your bedroom. He is present with you and cares for you when you are sitting in your car that is broken down on the highway. You can't get away from His love.
b. Biblical support: Like Jonah, you can be snug inside of a big fish, in the ocean, and still be loved by God and cared for by Him.
c. The lesson: God is omnipresent. He will love you wherever you go or are taken.
How to conclude the message: Remind the people that love is more than a feeling. Love feels good. But sometimes love doesn't. Remind them that human love ends. But God's love doesn't. And furthermore, since God loves you nothing can separate you from His love and His care for you. You can live your life following His ways knowing that He will care for you. You never have to question that.
