A LOVE SO GREAT
Rom 5: 1-8
I. God's Love Is Unconditional
A. Man's love needs an object ( e.g. pretty face , little baby ) - it is conditional
B. Rom 5 shows us God's love
i) vs. 1 God gives us peace
ii) vs. 2 we stand in the grace of God
iii) vs. 3-4 God uses suffering to produce perseverance and character
iv) vs. 5 God " poured out " his love into our hearts
v) vs. 6 at the right time , when we were powerless , Christ died for us ( Gal 4:4 )
vi) vs. 7-8 while were still sinners , Christ died for us
II. Three Principles Of God's Love
A. His Life Tells Me He Understands What I Am Going Through
i) lived like we do ; understands what we are going through - Heb 4:15
ii) understanding one another is critical to any relationship
iii) Solomon when given anything he desired asked for an " understanding " heart
B. His Death Says God Loves Me
i) God said I would rather die for you than go through eternity without you
ii) we underestimate how much God loves us - Jn 3:16 " so " loved us
iii) God gave us " so " great a salvation - Heb 3:2
iv) no body can loves us like God
C. The Resurrection Says By Jesus We Can Be Changed
i) there are 3 resurrections: Jesus'; resurrection from baptism; resurrection from
the dead Jn 5:28-29
ii) the last two hinge on Jesus resurrection
iii) Rom 6:4 raise to walk a " new " ( changed ) life
III. Are You Ready For God's Change?
A. Christian's job is to love you
B. God's job is to change you
C. We must realize we can not make it on our own - we need changing - Isa. 38:1