God Loved You!

Rev. Enoch Thompson | February 20, 2024 | John 3:14-18

KEY VERSE:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

One of the scarcest commodities to the human soul is love. We desire strongly to be loved, and we open our lives up to people that we feel love us. While human love is desirable and a great resource for enjoying life, the love of God is the truest and best of love and our greatest need always. The Lord Jesus explains to Nicodemus, and to us, that the Son of God would be crucified, lifted up as the scornful representation of the human race, all because “God so loved the world” (John 3:16).

The songwriter invites us to “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do if with His love He befriend thee.” God loved us in ways we can never imagine, God loved us and was willing to give us His best, His one and only Son. God loved the fallen human race and sought to bring us back into fellowship with Himself, to bring us back to the banquet table and make us His children once again. God loved us means God loved you, God loved me, to the extent that if we were the only humans who existed Christ would still have gone to the cross and taken the bullets for us.

What a wonderful love, what a love so extravagant!!!

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Have you felt the love of God and embraced that love so profoundly? Can you reflect on the abundance of the love of God, and truly say “Thank you God for loving me.” Reflect on God’s love today and verbalise your love response to God in words, and songs, and acts of love to those around you.

PRAYER:

Lord, I stand amazed by your love. It beats my imagination, and I feel undeserving. Yet while I was a sinner, Christ died for me. Please help me to see your love in this moment, please help me embrace your vast and limitless love. I love you, Lord, for you first loved me.

For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

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DAILY word study: SO LOVED

 The phrase "so loved" in John 3:16 is translated in Greek as "οὕτως ἠγάπησεν" (houtōs ēgapēsen), where "ἠγάπησεν" (ēgapēsen) is the verb form of "ἀγάπη" (agapē), which denotes a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love. This form emphasizes the completed action of God's love in the past, continuing into the present and future. Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:9-10 also illustrate the depth and sacrificial nature of God's love through Jesus Christ. In the context of John 3:16, this profound love is demonstrated through the sacrificial giving of God's Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of humanity. It is through Jesus' death on the cross that God's love is fully revealed, as He willingly laid down His life to reconcile sinful humanity to Himself. Reflections: Considering the depth of God's love, how does this truth shape your view of yourself and others? How does it inspire you to share God's love with those around you?