Measureless: Proof of Love
Measureless: God's Love • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Measureless: Proof of Love
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Martyn Lloyd-Jones: What is this 'for us'? It is the very heart of the gospel. God is not just neutral towards us; He is for us. He is not against us, condemning us; He is for us, saving us.
"The question 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' is not a question, but a shout of triumph.
The verse does not mean that we will have no opponents. This is the bedrock of Christian confidence that what ever comes our way we will overcome.
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
The greatest demonstration of God's love for us is that He did not spare His own Son. If He gives us such a gift as that, He will not withhold any good thing from us.
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
If charges were brought upon you / Court steps
Trial Court (federal or state)
Intermediate Appellate Court (federal circuit court or state appellate court)
Highest State Court (if the case originated in a state system and is being appealed up through the state courts)
U.S. Supreme Court (if they decide to hear the appeal)
*What court is higher than the Supreme court? God’s heavenly court!
No one can overturn the verdict of the Almighty Judge. Who is God? The supreme judge, from whom there is no appeal.
The judge (our God) acquits us, not because we are innocent, but because a ransom has been paid. His own Son's blood. God justifies us; He declares us righteous, not because we are, but because Christ is and what He did on the cross for you and I.
34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Fourfold Defense of Christ: Paul offers four compelling aspects of Christ's work that nullify condemnation: His death, resurrection, exaltation, and intercession.
*The only One who could condemn us, is the One who died for us, was raised for us, is exalted for us, and intercedes for us. This is the ultimate security.
Communion: Set a small table below the cross.
Proof of Love: the bread and juice are not merely symbols, but tangible proof of God's measureless love.
Each time we receive communion, it's a fresh reminder of the cost of our salvation and the guarantee of His ongoing provision and care.
Bring to mind any accusations you might feel (from self, Satan, or the world). Remember Christ's fourfold work: His death, resurrection, exaltation, and intercession. The communion elements are the tangible seal of "no condemnation."
As we eat the bread and drink the cup, they are symbolically receiving Christ's justification and silencing every accuser.
Print this verse on one side of the card.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Print on the other side of the card. (Slide?)
To [Your Name],
You are my dearly loved child. Always remember that you are forever forgiven of your sins, and no one can ever take my love away or condemn you. As proof of my measureless love, I gave my life for you. I have over come death and now sit at God’s mighty right hand, talking to God about how much I love you.
The Lover of your soul - Jesus
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
The question is not 'Will these things come?' for they will. The question is, 'Can they separate us?' And the glorious answer is, 'No!
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
This verse gives the reality check. Paul is not denying the pain; he is saying the pain is not stronger than Christ's love. Indeed, it is 'for your sake'—suffering for the gospel is an honor.
*Pakistani Pastor beaten for preaching the gospel. He would not stop. So they took his seven year old son. Don’t stop talking about Jesus daddy.
Jesus Measureless Love will help you endure what ever comes your way, we need to stay faithful.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Did you know it is the hard things that can make you grow?
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) vs. PTG, (post-traumatic growth)
According to traumatic experts, 2/3 of trauma survivors experience PTG, post-traumatic growth, whereas only a small percentage actually experience post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD.
So their is a point for most of us, adversity is healthy. It's good. It changes the way we think. We grow as a result. Now, you add to this psychological condition the truth of this verse, that there is a personal God behind it all, orchestrating those events, directing our steps in our path, all things, you have a great place of confidence.
My fishing trip that almost ended up in disaster.
If I got PTSD I would stop driving. My PTG made me appreciate my life and family more. And it has given me Spidey senses now when driving.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Hyper-niko-men: This powerful Greek word means to be supremely victorious, to conquer overwhelmingly, or to gain a surpassing victory. It implies not just winning, but winning decisively.
*There are many videos of people calling out professional athletes and challenging them to a contest. The best are so called tough guys calling out MMA fighters.
This 'more than conquerors' means not just that we endure, but that we actually turn defeat into victory and suffering into glory.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Christ's and His Love is the Driving Force
Martial Arts: Using the attackers momentum against them. (Gang attack training) As I swipe attacks, I use God’s Love.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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.
Paul uses this term 32 times in his writings. Know for sure!
Never abandon what you do know, because of what you don't know.
You can be a know-so believer, rather than a so-so believer.
We don't need a hope so, think so, maybe so, perhaps so, salvation. We need a know so salvation.
Paul piles problem after problem.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
Death: If I die, I will be more alive than ever. (Old school Darth V. Obi-Wan) You can’t win Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. - Us too! Our death is the beginning of our lives.
Life: Whatever life throws your way? Whatever? Whatever! Christ love will get me through. It will not separate it!
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
Have you had a thought in your mind that said “God does not love you”? Where do you think that comes from? Not God!
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
Whatever happens today or in the future - We win!
Youtube video thumbnail. “97% Of Investors Are About To Lose Money”. Selling fear! Okay. What if I lose my money. Jesus’ stock that He gave me. The stock of His love. Is more than enough.
Matthew 6:26-34 I take care of the birds and you are much more valuable.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
Persons in positions of authority. Whoever is in office won’t separate His love!
39 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.
These are common astronomical terms used to refer to the high and low points of a star’s path; nothing in life’s path, from beginning to end, can separate us from Christ’s love. Possibly, Paul may intend to describe all of space from top to bottom.
39 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.
In case anything or anyone might be left out, this covers everything but the Creator Himself.
39 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.
Where is this love found? In only one place. In Christ Jesus alone!
