Text: 5: 8
8. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Introduction:
It was God who chose to first love you, and not you choosing to love God.
When man decided to put on the Adamic nature to go against GOD’S plan, man became a wanderer; he had no place to settle because the anger of God was on him. God still looked out for man to create a way for him out of eternal condemnation.
In the month of April, we shall focus on the greatness of GOD’S love towards man.
JESUS DIED FOR US
The Scripture we read shows the magnitude of the love of God for us. When we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. When we became vagabonds because of our acts of disobedience, Jesus Christ chose to pay our penalty by being crucified on the cross to make us a new creature. He redeemed us from destruction and gave us a new life.
Why can’t you appreciate this love?
HE FORGIVES YOUR SINS
The penalty of our sins is condemnation and death. That is what Satan usually holds on to. He knows that when the pronouncement of forgiveness is not made for man, he (Satan) has all right on the sinful man. So the devil was not willing that the work of the cross should be complete.
But when Jesus Christ was in severe pain on the cross, he made that special pronouncement saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots (Luke 23:34).
Of a truth, you and I don’t know what we are doing, but he has paid the price on our behalf. So, won’t you appreciate this kind of love?
HE BREAKS THE YOKES ON YOU
1 Peter 2:24 NIV
24 “He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;” By His wounds you have been healed.
What has been the major hindrance for man to break through the yoke in different forms or degrees?
What is a yoke?
A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull.
In literary term, the yoke is the burden placed on man not to be able to function normally.
Everything that makes man function abnormally is a yoke. It could be sickness, disease of any kind, madness, barrenness, bitterness, blindness, unproductiveness, and other unpalatable experience. Jesus bore them all on the cross. He was wounded to break the yoke. He completed it on the cross. What a love!
He is calling you today.
Matthew 11:28-30.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Conclusion:
Psalm 57: 3
‘He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me– God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.’
The love of God has kept you from all evil plans. By His love and mercy, you are alive today. The best way for you to appreciate this love is to give your life to JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and Savior.
Let us pray:
Pray these prayers:
1. Lord Jesus, I thank You for the kind of love You have for me.
2. Here am I before You, oh Lord, be merciful to me.
3. My Father, my Father, I place my burden at Your feet, help me out.
4. I decree and declare, whatever legal right anyone has to victimize and make my life miserable shall be annihilated.
5. The cross and the power in the name of Jesus Christ shall defend me at any evil altar where an element in form of my image is placed to represent me for sacrifice.
6. By the power of resurrection, every disgrace, shame, and humiliation prepared by the enemies in the coven to inflict my life is averted.
7. Every sealed wicked agreement, whether written or verbal, filed against me is nullified by the Blood of Jesus. Amen!!!
Reference:
NIV, study Bible, Biblegateway,
Editor: Charles Caldwell Ryrie published by Biblica, 1973.