Script:  Ephesians 2:1-7

“But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us”

Intro: Before we can emulate or display God’s love, we must first possess it.  We must totally commit ourselves to be filled with His love.

I.                   The “Who” of God’s Love

John 1:11

          ¹¹ He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

II.                The “What” of God’s Love

          John 1:12

¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

John 3:16

“God so love the world” 

I John 4:8, 16

“God is love”

A.   The “what” of God’s love refers to every person – the great and small, black and white, the rich and poor.

B.    God’s love includes the alcoholic, drug abuser, prostitute, terrorist.  All who repent and forsake their sins may be saved.

II.                The “Where” of God’s Love

     Psalm 139:7

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from they presence……”

A.   The “where” of God’s love refers to “everywhere.”  His love went to Calvary, where he atoned for the sins of the world.  His love went into the prison and crack house.  The power of God’s love reaches everyone: gambler, thief, adulterer, homosexual

Hebrews 7:25

B.    God’s love extends to the uttermost parts of the earth. It reaches the haughty and proud and includes those in the depths of despair.

III.             The “When” of God’s Love

           Rom 5:8

“God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

A.   The “when” of God’s love means “at all times.”  God’s love continues forever, for he is eternal.  He is the beginning and the ending.

B.    Since God always was and always will be, his love is from everlasting to everlasting, for “God is love.”

Jeremiah 31:3

 “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”

IV.            The “Why” of God’s Love

      I John 1:3

“Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ”

I John 4:8

“God is love”

A.   The “why” of God’s love is beyond our comprehension.  However, we do know that God desires to fellowship with his creation.

              John 3:15

B.    Because of his great love, God gave his only Son to die on the cross for our sins and to bring us back into fellowship with himself.  Is 55:8