“I have loved you”, says the Lord Malachi 1v1
“How have you loved us?”
JESUS IS THE ANSWER TO:
THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY OF US BELIEVING GOD’S LOVE FOR US.
1. TRAGEDY
– loss – bereavement. “If you had been here….” John 11v21,32
• “He has sent me… to comfort all who mourn, and provide for all those who grieve… to bestow on them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Is 61v3
2. DISAPPOINTMENT
– unanswered prayer – unfulfilled prophecy. “We had hoped…” Luke 24v21
• “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road, and opened the scriptures to us?” Luke 24v32
3. RELIGION
– attempting to earn, appease or outweigh.
• God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: he sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4v9,10
4. WRONG DOCTRINE
– the teaching that “everything that happens is God’s will”.
• John 10v10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
5. MENTAL ILLNESS
– chemical, physical, emotional, or spiritual causes.
• They found him sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed – and in his right mind. Luke 8v35
6. MISINTERPRETING GOD’S JUDGEMENT / DISCIPLINE
– thinking that this is replacing his love rather than being an expression of it.
• Do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Hebrews 12v5,6
JESUS IS THE ANSWER TO:
THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY OF US ACCEPTING GOD’S LOVE FOR US.
7. DEVIL’S LIE
– that you will have more by going your own way than by going God’s way.
• For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6v23
• Will he not freely with him give us all things? Romans 8v32
8. RELATIONSHIP HURT
– having been hurt by others in family or church and so afraid to trust.
• “I will seek that which was lost, bring again that which was driven away, I will bind up that which was broken, and strengthen that which was sick.” Ez34v16
9. INDEPENDENCE
– not wanting it – preferring independence – not wanting commitment.
• “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arm around him and kissed him”. Luke 15v20
10. DEMONIC INFLUENCE
– The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. 2Cor 4v4
• “All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out.” Luke 4v36
11. SHAME
– they heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from him among the trees of the garden. Gen. 3v8
• “Neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. Go now and leave your life of sin” John 8v11
12. SENSE OF UNWORTHINESS
– “Go away from me, Lord; for I am a sinful man!” Luke 5v8
• Then Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will be catching men.”
Luke 5v10
JESUS IS THE ANSWER TO:
THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY OF US FEELING GOD’S LOVE FOR US.
13. AVOIDING THE GIFTS /MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
– “Some made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Acts 2v13
• God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5v5
• Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you… You shall see greater things than that.” John 1v50
14. THE SEEMING ABSENCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE
(like the tide being out)
– Jesus himself came up and walked with them, but they were kept from recognising him….their faces downcast. Luke 24v16,17
• “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14v18
15. SHUT OFF EMOTIONS
– “When the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area … they were indignant.” Matthew 21v15
• “He went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God.” Acts 3v8
16. NARROWNESS OF FELLOWSHIP
– “Master,” said John, “We saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” Luke 9v49
• “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
John 10v16
17. FAULTY SENSE OF DUTY
– “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me…. so I could celebrate with my friends.” Luke 15v29
• “My son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours.” Luke 15v31