GOD'S LOVE

Highlights from Pastor Richard Schofield’s Message on Aug 11, 2024

In Ephesians 3:14 –19 the Apostle Paul prayed: “… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you Th be filled with all the fullness of God.”

God’s love has no measure, it’s everywhere! God loves us. We are to love one another for GOD IS LOVE! We show God to people through His true love. People who don’t know God, don’t know love. To love God, you have to appreciate everything He does and everything we do for God is to be done through love.

1 John 4:7-9 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 

Think of the love God had for His Son, and yet, He put His Son on the Cross to die for our sins.  Because He loves us so much, we ought to love one another and help one another grow stronger in God.                              

WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US! (1 John 4:19).

If we say we love God and hate our brother, we don’t really love God!  Jesus said to PRAY for people who offend or mistreat you (Matthew 5:43-48). God loves them. Ask God to change them… or maybe we need to change. God’s love will take care of all that. Young, old, no matter what age, race, culture – GOD LOVE IS BEYOND MEASURE!!   We can get so busy that we don’t have time or don’t take time to reach out to hurting people – to encourage them.  Sometimes all it takes is a smile or a hug! JUST SHOW A LITTLE LOVE!

Nothing can compare to the power of God’s love.  It can reach anyone. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) We are to take the Gospel to people.  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

We, as parents, hold and love our children and would do anything to protect them. God is the same! We train and discipline them as they grow and become adults. We do it out of love!  God disciplines us!  Hebrews 12:5,6 says, “My son, do not despise the [a]chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

God disciplines us because He loves us. He is looking to bring out the very best in us. His discipline depends on the situation and sometimes it has to be a little harsh. But God is also tender (Psalm 69:16). He holds us and comforts us. So, we are to be kind and tender-hearted to one another (Ephesians 4:32). In Jeremiah 31:3 God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love…”  You cannot put a cap on God’ love – it’s ongoing!

Trustworthy love is lacking in today’s world. Some people are not committed when difficulties come.  God’s love is trustworthy, dependable, committed. His love never fails (Read 1 Corinthians 13).