Sermon Central
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That's What They Say...
Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 21, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: Listen to the voices! God says, I love your soul, the cross says, I lean toward sinners, Jesus says, I long to save, the Spirit says, I’ll live inside, the Bible says I can literally be a son! Powerpoint at website.
That’s What They Say…
INTRODUCTION:
Everyone, no matter how hard-hearted or how cold blooded they may be, seeks for and wants love at some point in their life.
Lev. 11:45 tells us that “God is holy.”
Mal 3:6 tells us that “God is immutable.” [never changes]
Isa. 9:6 tells us that “God is the everlasting Father.”
1 John 4:8 tells us that “God is love.”
… God is love.
[5 facts—some can’t get past #1…feel like God hates them, based on their circumstances!]
1. God loves all people. (John 3:16)
2. All people are sinners. (Romans 3:23)
3. Sin must be paid for. (Romans 6:23)
4. Jesus paid for your sins. (Romans 5:8)
5. Trust Jesus as your Savior. (Romans 10:13)
God’s not responsible for our circumstances…our sin is! He wants to save us FROM our circumstances!
One day He will be the judge and send multitudes to hell, not because He didn’t love them, but because they wouldn’t accept that love!
Love is an attribute of God just as is His holiness, His immutability, or as is His eternality. That means that He will always be “love”. He cannot change from being “love” and still be God. He will always be “love”.
By that I know that God will always love me. He will never cease from loving me. He will never cease from loving you. His love is eternal.
Rom. 8:35-39 tell us that nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
Listen to the voices today…they say very loudly and clearly, “I love you”.
I. GOD SAYS, “I LOVE YOUR SOUL”
Texts:
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God says, I love your soul…
II. THE CROSS SAYS, “I LEAN TOWARD SINNERS”
Showing love requires action. Some wives say, I wish he’d stop saying He loves me and start showing it!
The cross was a tangible action…proof positive of what God said [I love you].
I want you to know today that the Cross says, “I lean toward sin.”
Roman crucifixion crosses were set in the ground at a slight angle, preventing those hung upon them from resting against them. This means the cross leaned toward those gathered there, those sinners…both those who crucified him and those who watched…those who kept their distance and those close by…those close to Him kneeling beneath that cross were likely spattered w/ blood drops which spattered, and soldiers which walked around that cross and brutalized Him no doubt wore shoes stained from pools of Christ’s blood which was poured out there!
Listen to the words of this great hymn:
Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that bro’t it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span At Calvary!
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.
1 Pet. 2:24, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree...”
He took my sins on His body, and in so doing He leaned toward me, as He leans toward you! His body leaned toward me, His blood leaned toward me. [one verse of hymn says…]
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so di-vine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
The Bible says when we sin willfully [on purpose], we trample under foot Christ’s body and blood.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
This is why we observe communion, and why we should all take it very seriously! God says, the way you treat my body and blood is how you feel about me! [so make sure you come out for it…Jesus said, “This do!”…in remembrance, so do it!]
The cross leaned our direction, and communion is a most solemn chance to lean back in God’s direction, and demonstrate where our priorities are!
As you and I stand at the foot of the Cross we can only see the fact that Jesus loves us.
God says, I love your soul, the cross says, I lean toward sinners…
III. JESUS SAYS, “I LONG TO SAVE”
bookmark/picture…
I asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?”
He stretched out His arms and said, “This much.”
And He stretched out His arms and died.
Every person in this room was taught the nursery hymn, “Jesus Loves Me.”
