Expensive Extravagant Love

Have you ever started working on project or a plan and at some point became incredibly frustrated and stuck? - you know something is just not right, its not fitting together, it’s way harder than it should be - you are ready to give up - to pack it all in - then you realize you missed something really important, something that should have been obvious to you but you missed it, you skipped over it, you ignored it.

I want you to know that building our lives on the teachings of Christ can be a frustrating empty experience too - an unbearable burden if we miss something really important!

Over the last few years we’ve been working at re-establishing our church in the basic principles of the faith --- The Gospel is not just for our salvation but it is for every area of our lives - God by his Spirit, has given, and preserved, for us the testimony of the New Testament Church… in order to pass on to us the basics for living Gospel-Shaped lives with Jesus as his people in this world today.

But there is something we can easily miss and without it - all our teaching, gathering, serving is empty and burdensome. It is often hard to truly see because of the pain, disappointment, and brokenness we experience as part of living in a world that has turned away from God. And there is a real enemy, who works really hard to deceive us, to hide this truth, to blind us to, and to distract us from it.

SO Today I want to remind you of something so basic that I hesitate to say it plainly up front - because it is so familiar it sounds fake. Some of us have heard it over and over - we say it so often that its lost much of the wonder and mystery that it used to hold.

So let me begin with an experience I had a number of years ago….

Today I want to remind you of something that is so foundational, so basic that I hesitate to say it because it is so familiar to many of us. Some of us have heard it over and over and it’s lost much of the wonder and mystery that it used to hold. It is profound, it is essential, yet we often lose sight of it, or have a hard time accepting it – so let me begin with an experience I had a number of years ago….

So let me begin with an experience I had a number of years ago….

Dinner with John G. – Strategic Hotels. Security wasn’t going to let me in – called up to check. I look way out of place – corner office overlooking the city. Do you have time for dinner?

I hesitate to say it because it is so familiar to many of us. Some of us have heard it over and over and it’s lost much of the wonder and mystery that it used to hold. It is profound, it is essential, yet we often lose sight of it, or have a hard time accepting it – so let me begin with an experience I had a number of years ago….

Walk to a Swanky Stake House – I’m wearing a T-Shirt, Jeans, pair of running shoes, hair messed up, a little sweaty to be honest. The waiters are all ‘black tie’ Everyone is wearing a suit – I’m totally out of place.. I couldn’t afford a napkin in this place - Expensive extravagant meal at John’s expense.

...afterward how that impacted me “that’s how God loves me” it has come to symbolize God’s expensive extravagant love for us…

In amazement and wonder the Apostle John writes, 1 John 3:1

The New International Version (1984) Chapter 3

3 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

The New International Version (1984) Chapter 3

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

God loves. God loves you with an expensive, extravagant love. The basis for every command and instruction in God’s word, everything we’ve teaching and leading in over the last several years, ....falls apart if you loose sight of the wonder and mystery of God’s love for us.

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

God loves. God loves you with an expensive, extravagant love. The basis for every command and instruction in God’s word, everything we’ve been learning about over the last several years, .... is based on the foundation of God’s Expensive, Extravagant love towards us.

Turn to

Right in the middle of a whole section of lifestyle instructions Paul inserts this (There is nothing which justifies a break at the end of chapter 4 except for the chapter division - A handbook on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (p. 123).)

Bratcher, R. G., & Nida, E. A. (1993). New York: United Bible Societies.

Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Imitate God? this is how Jesus put’s it

Matthew 5:48 ESV

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I’m so so sorry if that’s all you’ve heard.

Do you feel the weight of that? How is this even possible? If you just opened your bible and read this - This isn’t good news, this is bad news!

Matthew 5:48 ESV

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Do you feel the weight of that? How is this even possible? If you just opened your bible and read this - This isn’t good news, this is bad news!

But the message doesn’t start here.

Ephesians 1:5–8 NLT

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 1:5–7 NLT

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Ephesians 2:4–5 NLT

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

even if you make commitments and set goals and try really hard you wont follow through - His commands will seem so difficult - His commands will seem unrealistic even foolish -

Ephesians 2:4–5 NLT

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

If we

Ephesians 3:16–19 NLT

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

This instruction is part of a larger conversation, Check out how Ephesians starts … 1:4-8 Chapter 2 says 2:4-5 or what about Paul’s prayer at the end of Chapter 3:16-19

Paul put’s God’s love for us first - then he instructs us to follow the Commands of Christ… if you read the letter from the beginning by the time you get to the statement “imitate God in everything you do” you should have some sense of the wonder and mystery of God’s love for you.

1:4-8 Chapter 2 says 2:4-5 or what about Paul’s prayer at the end of Chapter 3:16-19

Ephesians 3:16–19 NLT

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Paul first talks about God’s love for us, how he’s adopted us into his family, made us part of his plan, included us in his inheritance… then he instructs us to follow the Commands of Christ… how we should live, etc. by the time you get to our text today and read in chapter 5:1 the statement “imitate God in everything you do” you should have some sense of the wonder and mystery of God’s love for you.

Paul put’s God’s love for us first - about knowing his love and receiving his love - and then he instructs us to follow the Commands of Christ… if you read the letter from the beginning by the time you get to the statement “imitate God in everything you do” you should have some sense of the wonder and mystery of God’s love for you.

God’s love comes first.

...the only reason I enjoyed an expensive extravagant meal was because John initiated everything – He invited me to his office, He asked me to go out to dinner, He chose the place, He ordered the meal, He paid the bill – I simply followed and received his generosity and kindness…

Romans 5:8 NIV84

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

If you approach the activities of our church and the teachings of Christ thinking...– Ok - “if I do these things really well then maybe God will accept and love me more.” Or “if I do these things then God will take away my struggles, he will show me mercy” Or “by doing these things then I will earn the right to ask God to do some things for me” then you’ve completely missed the point!!

Loose sight of his love and everything falls apart.

If you approach the First Principles of Christ – “if I do these things then God will love me” then you’ve completely missed the point. The god of Islam might work that way. The Buddha might work that way. The gods of Hinduism might work that way – but the God of the Bible doesn’t. That kind of thinking will leave you struggling to be good enough all your life – you will struggle with guilt - you will struggle with low self esteem – you will struggle with anger and resentment toward God -

The god of Islam works that way. The Buddha works that way. The gods of Hinduism work that way – but the God of the Bible doesn’t. That kind of thinking will leave you struggling to be good enough all your life – you will struggle with guilt - you will struggle with low self esteem – you will struggle with anger and resentment toward God -

even if you make commitments and set goals and try really hard you wont follow through - His commands will seem so difficult - His commands will seem unrealistic even foolish -

...even if you make commitments and set goals and try really hard you wont follow through - His commands will seem so difficult - His commands will seem unrealistic even foolish - which is one reason why some don’t even try, - - why some want to avoid God all together.

His commands will seem unrealistic and foolish - “Why follow what is so opposite to the way the world works, what doesn’t seem to make sense - God’s way often puts me at odds with the world around me...

But with God it is the other way around - His love comes first.... He already Loves...

...the only reason I enjoyed an expensive extravagant meal was because I’m a son-in-law. My relationship with John began when I married Sue and because I am with sue I am ‘FAMILY’ to John. John initiated everything – John paid the bill – I simply responded to his generosity and kindness…

– the only reason I enjoyed an expensive extravagant meal was because I’m a son-in-law. My relationship with John began when I married Sue and because I am with sue I am ‘FAMILY’ to John. John initiated everything – John paid the bill – I simply responded to his generosity and kindness…

But with God it is the other way around - It starts with his love not our faith

With God it is the other way around

Vs 1 says ….

English Standard Version Chapter 5

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children

Underline as his beloved children –

Underline as his dear children –

What Paul is saying here is “If you’ve received God’s love, only then you can begin to imitate Christ”

(NLT) “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”

10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

God’s love comes first - He sends Jesus from the heights of heaven, down to live among us, he pays an extravagant price to adopt us into his family (the blood of his only son), he shows us great honor by making us part of his royal bloodline and bringing us into his eternal kingdom, and a future inheritance!

Romans 5:8 NIV84

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 NIV84

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(NIV84) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

He loves us. You are loved. Every command, every principle, is rooted in his great love for us. Calling us into relationship with him, to participate in his life, in his plan, in his glory --- It is the mystery and wonder of God’s expensive extravagant love poured out on us that moves us to listen to him and to follow his ways…

1John 4:19

The New International Version (1984) Chapter 3

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

English Standard Version Chapter 4

We love because he first loved us

And It is the wonder and mystery of God’s love for us that turns us inside out… or as Max Lucado says, ‘leaves us with a love worth giving.’

2Cor 5:14

It is the wonder and mystery of God’s love for us that turns us inside out… or as Max Lucado says, ‘leaves us with a love worth giving.’

The New International Version (1984) The Ministry of Reconciliation

For Christ’s love compels us

The New International Version (1984) The Ministry of Reconciliation

14 For Christ’s love compels us

Ephesians 5:2 ESV

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 John 4:19 ESV

We love because he first loved us.

The New International Version (1984) The Ministry of Reconciliation

14 For Christ’s love compels us

See God calls us to relationship — He loves us and he calls us to participate in his love… to WALK IN LOVE

God’s love comes first - It is out of a heart overwhelmed by God’s expensive, extravagant love –overwhelmed by price he has paid for you - by the blood of Jesus we are adopted into God’s family , overwhelmed by the honor of being made part of God’s royal bloodline, and brought into his kingdom, – His incredible love for you becomes the basis for imitating God -

Ephesians 5:2 ESV

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

See God calls us to relationship — He loves us and he calls us to participate in his love… to WALK IN LOVE

underline “as Christ loved us”

Jesus is our example of love - true love always involves sacrifice

Walking in Love always costs you. - it will cost you time, - it will cost you money , - it will cost you dignity / Pride – kindness requires stooping down. Love requires effort - And sometimes your best efforts at loving will be rejected by others - Jesus was crucified by his own people!

- it will cost you time

- it will cost you money

Walking in love costs - Personal experience - make mistakes - and when you do some people will crucify you - because you acted in love, because you responded to their need, because you lent a hand - now you’re more hated than those who did nothing… Walking in love costs…walking in love means you will sometimes be taken advantage of… mocked…regarded as foolish… trampled on with bitterness and forgiveness…

- it will cost you dignity / Pride – kindness requires stooping down

SO believe me when I say, It is impossible to truly walk in love if we miss the wonder and mystery of God’s love for us.... it is receiving God’s love that turns you inside out… that drives you to walk in love… Or As Max Lucado wrote: “it leaves you with a love worth giving”

It is impossible to truly walk in love if we miss the wonder and mystery of God’s love for us.... it is receiving God’s love that turns you inside out… Or As Max Lucado wrote: “it leaves you with a love worth giving”

it is receiving God’s love that turns you inside out… Or As Max Lucado wrote: “it leaves you with a love worth giving”

Story about homeless man getting meal:

On the way to see had run into a homeless man begging on the street corner… I really wanted to just walk buy but he was really hard to ignore and I didn’t want to seem like some jerk so I suggested I buy him a meal…reluctantly doing it… rushing it… thinking I had more important things to do…cheap diner just down the street… He was picky about the food… No thank-you, no real interest in conversing with me… so once I got him set up I left - I didn’t even learn his name…

As I headed off to John’s office... I was frustrated by the inconvenience the burden of having to help out this ungrateful beggar… I was down 25 bucks and late for my appointment…

Obeying Jesus was burdensome, an inconvenience, a weight, a problem, because it was done out of a sense of pride - being good enough - doing the right thing because that’s what I’m supposed to do - because that’s what people expect me to do…

AFTER MY MEAL WITH JOHN

BUT THEN I WENT OUT FOR DINNER - AFTER MY MEAL WITH JOHN

That homeless man is me… I’m the beggar with nothing to offer at your table Lord, I’m the one full of dysfunctions and lacking etiquette, I’m the one asking for far more than I deserve, I’m the one who is ungrateful and often complaining toward you and your provision.. Yet you love me with this relentless Extravagant love…

Applying Principles, following teachings, doing good works will leave you burdened and empty… if you loose sight of the wonder and mystery of God’s love for you.

I’ve lost count of how many times have I insisted that we must do things because God’s word says so? I have worked hard to get you to set goals and make changes in your life. But I’m so so sorry if that’s all you’ve heard. I’m so sorry if you think this is all about just getting you to behave right. Because if that’s all you’ve heard you’ve missed the point!! We live out the basic teachings of our faith because God LOVES US!

How many times have I insisted that we must do things because God’s word says so? I’m so so sorry if that’s all you’ve heard. Because it’s only half the reason!! We live out the basic teachings of our faith because God LOVES US!

We live out the basic teachings of our faith because God LOVES US!

It is God’s love that turns you inside out...

Communion

As Max Lucado wrote: “it leaves you with a love worth giving”

Communion

On the way to see had run into a homeless man begging on the street corner… I really wanted to just walk buy but he was really hard to ignore and I didn’t want to seem like some jerk so I suggested I buy him a meal…reluctantly doing it… rushing it… thinking I had more important things to do…cheap diner just down the street… He was picky about the food… No thank-you, no real interest in conversing with me…

As I headed off to John’s office... I was frustrated by the inconvenience the burden of having to help out this ungrateful beggar… I was down 25 bucks and late for my appointment…

- it will cost you time

- it will cost you money

- it will cost you dignity / Pride – kindness requires stooping down

That homeless man is me… I’m the beggar with nothing to offer at your table Lord, I’m the one full of dysfunctions and lacking etiquette, I’m the one asking for far more than I deserve, I’m the one who is ungrateful and often complaining toward you and your provision.. Yet you love me with this relentless Extravagant love…

Communion

1 John 4:19 ESV

We love because he first loved us.

The New International Version (1984) The Ministry of Reconciliation

14 For Christ’s love compels us

The New International Version (1984) The Ministry of Reconciliation

14 For Christ’s love compels us

The New International Version (1984) The Ministry of Reconciliation

For Christ’s love compels us

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

it is the wonder and mystery of God’s expensive extravagant love for us that moves us

and is pursued in response to his extravagant expensive love poured out on us.

— instead of because I am LOVED EXTRAVAGANTLY...

rooted in his great love for you His commands are rooted in his love for you.

(NIV84) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

-

By the time I made it to his office I was thinking I’m really glad I’ve made better life decisions than that guy, that I’ve been obedient to God and done the right thing, — at least I have a great story to tell, I helped a homeless beggar, an example of serving God

Romans 5:8 NIV84

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ...the only reason I enjoyed an expensive extravagant meal was because I’m a son-in-law. My relationship with John began when I married Sue and because I am with sue I am ‘FAMILY’ to John. John initiated everything – John paid the bill – I simply responded to his generosity and kindness…

(NIV84)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ...the only reason I enjoyed an expensive extravagant meal was because I’m a son-in-law. My relationship with John began when I married Sue and because I am with sue I am ‘FAMILY’ to John. John initiated everything – John paid the bill – I simply responded to his generosity and kindness…

The New International Version (1984) Chapter 3

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

What Paul is saying here is “If you’ve received God’s love, then you can begin to imitate Christ”

God’s love comes first - if you have received God’s expensive, extravagant love – if through the blood of Jesus you have been adopted into God’s family , made part of God’s royal bloodline, and brought into his kingdom, – then this incredible love for you becomes the basis for imitating God -

You are loved. His commands are rooted in his love for you.

– you have a family resemblance . If Jesus is your Daddy it makes sense that you imitate him – Just like a child imitates a loving parent -

A love like that changes you.

As Max Lucado wrote: “it leaves you with a love worth giving”

Meeting in my office a couple of years ago now… question was asked if we were really following Jesus what kind of things would we be doing? Some typical answers - read the bible, pray, etc. Then after an awkward pause someone said, “I guess if we really were following Jesus we would be doing the same kinds of things Jesus did.”

Expensive Extravagant Love

Intro: