I wonder how many of you remember the story behind the origin of Valentine’s Day. You know, it is called Saint Valentine’s Day for a reason.
Approximately 250 years after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was a priest by the name of Valentine. He lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius, who was committed to rebuilding the once-great Roman army. However, he believed it was important for men to volunteer for armed service rather than drafting men into service against their will. But, given a choice, most young men in the Roman Empire refused to serve. They’d rather stay at home with their wives and children than go off into battle.
Claudius came to believe that only single men would volunteer for service so he issued a royal edict that banned all further marriages. He actually outlawed weddings in the Roman Empire, earning himself the nick-name “Claudius the Cruel.”
Valentine thought it was ridiculous! One of his favorite duties as a priest was to marry people. So after Emperor Claudius passed his law, Valentine secretly continued performing marriage ceremonies. He would whisper the words of the ceremony while listening for soldiers on the steps outside.
One night, Valentine did hear footsteps at his door. The couple he was marrying escaped, but he was caught. He was thrown in jail and sentenced to death. Valentine tried to stay cheerful. Many of the young couples he had married came to visit him in jail. They threw flowers and notes up to his window. They wanted him to know that they too believed in love.
One day, he received a visit from the daughter of one of the prison guards. Her father allowed her to visit him in his cell, and they often sat and talked for hours. She believed he did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and performing weddings. On the day Valentine was to die, he left her a note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. He signed it, “Love from your Valentine.” That note started the custom of exchanging love notes on Valentine’s Day. It was written on the day he died - February 14, 269 A.D. It was a day that was set aside in honor of a man who gave his life for God and for love. Now, every year on this day, people remember Saint Valentine, but most importantly, they think about love.
Other than Christmas, this is a big season during which a lot of people get hung up on getting and receiving gifts and demonstrating their love for one another.
But let me tell you about a very special gift:
It is by far the strongest force in the universe.
It is higher than the highest mountain.
It is deeper than the deepest sea.
It is better than the best looking Boaz or newest groovy girl.
Better than a new cell phone.
Better than a $500 Gap gift certificate.
Better than a box of Callebaut chocolates and a dozen red roses.
Better than new power tools, a big screen TV, and a remote car starter.
It is better than catching the biggest fish or putting for an eagle on the home hole of golf.
It is better than a hot bath with candles and a good book.
It is better than losing 30 pounds.
It is better than seeing The Two Towers on opening day.
It is better than spending the winter somewhere in the sunny southern US.
It is better than a baby that sleeps all night, toddlers who don’t whine, elementary kids who like being with their siblings, teenagers who are appreciative and cooperative, college students who make up for not being able to pay their tuition by helping more around the house, young adults who phone mom twice a week, a spouse who appreciates how hard you work and how difficult your role is, and it is even better than grandkids who visit often and always give you a hug and kiss even when they’re 16.
It is better than a full belly, a full refrigerator, and a full bank account.
It is better than a clean house, clean car, and even a clean conscience.
And today, I want to tell you just a little bit about it.
Galatians 4:1-7 (KJV) Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
1) Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves great wealth for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.
2) They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set.
3) And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world.
4) But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.
5) God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that He could adopt us as His very own children.
6) And because the Gentiles have become His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father.
7) Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, everything He has belongs to you.
The Gift of God/Love:
Today I want to talk about a gift that is greater than all the things that were mentioned prior.
- John 3:16 says it best: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I love you is the message God has been trying to get through to you and me from the beginning.
In the beginning Love created.
In the flood, He said it through the Ark.
In the bad times of the Old Testament, He said it by disciplining the Israelites in the hope that they would learn the best way – the way of obedience.
He said it in the manger. “I love you. Here is the gift of my Son.”
He said it on the cross. “I love you. Here is the life of my Son, given for you.”
He said it through the resurrection. “I love you. The penalty for sin is now paid; and it was paid with blood”.
He said it the first time you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. “I love you. I forgive you”.
He says it each time you ask for forgiveness. “I love you. I forgive you.”
He wants to say it to you again today.
I’m talking about the Gift of God which is love. Romans chapter 8 gives us a great picture of God’s love both in us and for us. (Romans 8:31-39)
- James 1:17 says, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights; with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (meaning never changing).
Think about those two things, good gift and every perfect gift. Isn't this what we like to give to our loved ones? Listen, we are God's loved ones, and He lavishes on us gifts (good, perfect, and generous) which we don't deserve, and honestly, don't handle very well.
Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Sometimes we don’t see the gifts God brings us every day because we either don’t look for them or we overlook them. We can unintentionally be going along each day not seeing the good things that happen as special gifts from the Lord. However, they are gifts from Him that we need to cherish and appreciate.
That means there are gifts of God coming into your life every single day! Notice that verse doesn’t just say the Lord daily gives you benefits. It says that He daily loads you with benefits. That means there is more than one gift to be on the lookout for each day!
And look how the verse ends with Selah, which means pause and reflect on it. In other words, if you will take time to notice, what God gives is so amazing that it’s almost hard to fathom.
Begin noticing the simple things and thank the Lord for them. The more you practice searching for and appreciating the Lord’s daily gifts and benefits, the more you will find them. Then watch them get bigger from there. When you see things as gifts from the Lord, it releases greater things upon you because gifts are yours every day!
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Just as the Adam people were in Paradise, we too are now in Heaven. God gave us Heaven, because we are His crown creation, and He loves us with an everlasting love. It is His gift to us and it is still reaching to you and me (in many dimensions).
Let’s look at:
- The Love of God for Us –
Romans chapter 8 begins with the greatest encouragement of God's love that could be given to mankind. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death.
For us who have been condemned by our sin, it is God's love for us which has made the way for us to be a part of the “no condemnation” crowd.
Verse 31 asks us 2 rhetorical questions which Paul answers by explaining God's love:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
a) The Depth of His Love – is shown in verse 32.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him
also freely give us all things?
- How vast beyond all measure that He should give His only Son?
- How great the pain of searing loss to make a wretch His treasure.
- The Father turns His face away as wounds which mar the Chosen One.
- Today it appears that we have lost the wonder of God's sacrificial gift of His Son for us.
- God’s love is SO DEEP for us that He didn't withhold even His Son, but offered, gave,
even delivered Him up for us all. The Greek language gives us the same sentiment which
the Hebrew echoes in the Old Testament with Abraham and Isaac. God said to Abraham,
“I know you love me because you didn't even withhold your Son from me.”
- How similar this is for us. God's love has been poured out on us, and He demonstrated
His own love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us. The depth of God's
love is like the roots of a tree, the deeper they are the stronger they last.
God’s love is a divine love.
The difference between divine love and human love is that divine love is broad and
unlimited, a universal and harmonizing power. Human love is based on personality and is
selfish, lawless, and fickle (indecisive, unchangeable, and unpredictable).
Divine love will establish one in fearlessness and courage, For God hath not given us the
spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
By establishing ourselves in the consciousness of divine love and expressing that love at
all times (not just sometimes), we are helped to fulfill the command, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
The development of divine love has its place in demonstrating supply. When love is
established in the consciousness, it will draw to us all that we require to make us happy
and contented, all that really belongs to us.
We develop love in our heart by asking daily that the infinite love of the Father be poured
out upon us; by praying, meditating, and affirming that we are one with and express at all
times (not just sometimes) the perfect love of God.
b) The Design of His Love is shown in Romans 8:34
- Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is
even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
This is a simple, yet powerful design: Christ died for our sin, was raised for our
justification making us right before the Father, and NOW He is at God's right hand
interceding.
People will say that “God is Love”, and while this is true, the only way one can KNOW the full, redeeming love of God is through the person of His Son, our Lord Jesus. The power of God's design is found in the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Romans 8:11 says:
If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The church must realize that the resurrection is not for the soul alone. The resurrection is the lifting up of the whole man into the Christ consciousness. The whole man is spirit, soul, and body. They must first realize that the power of the resurrection is “The Christ.”
I am the resurrection, and The Life (John 11:25). This resurrection is not the future, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (II Timothy 1:10).
c) The Determination of His Love
Personally, verse 35 is the all time greatest statement and affirmation of God's love.
- Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
No! They may cause US to hurt or distress or even doubt, but make no mistake God's love
is always present.
The love of God is not only vast (huge, infinite, immeasurable, or even measureless). It is
determined (unwavering). It is determined to reach us wherever we are, whatever we've
done. Some say, “I've lived a horrendous life”. God says, “I still love you. Come to me,
cast your burden on me because I love you.”
The next time you feel like GOD can't reach you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk.
Abraham was too old.
Isaac was a daydreamer.
Jacob was a liar.
Leah was ugly.
Joseph was abused.
Moses had a stuttering problem.
Gideon was afraid.
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer.
Rahab was a prostitute.
David had an affair and was a murderer.
Elijah was suicidal.
Isaiah preached naked.
Jonah ran from God.
Naomi was a widow.
Job went bankrupt.
Peter denied Christ.
The Disciples fell asleep while praying.
Martha worried about everything.
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.
Zaccheus was too small.
Paul was too religious.
Timothy had an ulcer.
AND Lazarus was dead!
Now! No more excuses!
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message; you are just the messenger.
God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
Abraham was too old.
Isaac was a daydreamer.
Jacob was a liar.
Leah was ugly.
Joseph was abused.
Moses had a stuttering problem.
Gideon was afraid.
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer.
Rahab was a prostitute.
David had an affair and was a murderer.
Elijah was suicidal.
Isaiah preached naked.
Jonah ran from God.
Naomi was a widow.
Job went bankrupt.
Peter denied Christ.
The Disciples fell asleep while praying.
Martha worried about everything.
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.
Zaccheus was too small.
Paul was too religious.
Timothy had an ulcer.
AND Lazarus was dead!
Now! No more excuses!
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message; you are just the messenger.
God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
The love of God reaches past the shackles of our minds.
The SON is shining, and He can certainly use you! The only medicine you need is to LOVE ALL!!!
2. The Love of God In Us
Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted
as sheep for the slaughter.
Look at verse 36 and then ask, “How can this verse speak of God's love in us?”
Let me counter with a couple of inquiries of my own:
- Standing in front of the Lion's Den, was God's love working in Daniel?
- Feeling the heat from the fiery furnace, did the Hebrew boys know the love of God?
- When Stephen was preaching to the crowd as they were looking for rocks to throw, was Stephen devoid of God's love?
NO! The love of God does not necessarily keep us from the trials, but sees us through!
a) The Success He gives
Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
When we know the Love of God 'in' us, we are made MORE than Conquerors, Victorious, and even WINNERS!!! A conqueror has to fight, but to withstand is the result of the battle. After all the dust settles, You are still standing!
When the love of God is IN us, we will allow God to fight for us.
- II Chronicles 20:15 For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
And last:
b) The Security He brings
- Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
When the love of God is present in our lives, NOTHING can ever separate us from it!! We are sealed with His Spirit by His love.
The love God has 'for' us is a love that extends beyond measures. It is a vast love. God's love is determined and designed to draw men to Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and the saving of souls. Make no mistake, the only way God's love comes in your life is by your responding to His invitation to receive Jesus.
Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Just know that the deepness and design of God’s Love is His love for us and in us.
Clap Your Hands and Give God The Praise!!!! For His Love
~ Evangelist Jackie Burton