Theme: attributes of Jesus
TOPIC: Love
TEXTS: John 15:13; Ephesians 5:2; 1John 3:16;
AIMS:
i. to explain or show the nature of the love of Christ for mankind and
ii. to teach how Christians should appraise the love of Christ.
INTRODUCTION: God by nature is Omni-benevolent; that is to say, He is a loving God. In God, there is no hate, as He Himself is absolute love. The peak of God’s love for mankind is in sending His only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world(John 3:16). However, it is one thing to send, it is another thing for the one sent to fulfil the mission. The love of Christ for the whole world is therefore, manifested in obeying God to laying down His glory in heaven and humbly coming to the world in human form to redeem it from sin. The question before us today is, should the love of Christ to die for our sins be in vain for anybody?
STUDY GUIDE/QUESTIONS:
1. How did God show His love for mankind in Gen 1:26; 9:9-11; Rom 5:8; 1John 4:9?
2. From these passages: John 15;13; Rom 15:3; Phil 2:5-8; Heb 1:3; 2:14 explain how Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for mankind.
3. What is the vital difference between the teachings of Christ and other world religions? John14:15, 23, 27; 15:12-13; Rom 12:9; 1Jn 4:7.
4. How should Christians respond to the love of Christ? Matt 12:50; John 15:12, 14
CONCLUSION: The maximum price anyone can pay for another is to die for the sake of that person. This has never done, and if it has ever done, it has been by the wishes and consent of the victim. Therefore, the obedience, life and death of Christ on the cross have clearly revealed to us one who possesses true and unequal love.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Who can die for the sake of others?
MEMORY VERSE: John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends”.