“The Love of God- Part 1: It’s Unlimited
Extent” 10/22/06
--Others REJECT God “If God is
loving why send anyone to Hell?” “Why
is there suffering in the world?”
D.A. Carson
wrote it is Difficult Doctrine because: 1) “Love” interpreted culturally, not
biblically; 2) Viewed sentimentally apart from His other uncomfortable attributes
of Sovereignty, Holiness, Wrath, etc. ; 3) Postmodern Relativism; 4) The actual
synthesis of God’s attributes we are unprepared for; 5) Thought of as easiest
to understand and explain.
Our Approach:
1) God’s love for all (Benevolence/Beneficence); 2) God’s love for the Elect;
3) God’s Love and His Glory; 4) God’s love for His Son and our response
(Complacency)
POINT 1- God demonstrates a genuine
love for EVERYONE
A. God’s providential care in the world is called His CREATOR
LOVE Matt 5:43-48
"But love your
enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will
be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the
unthankful and evil” Luke 6:35 (Also
see Acts 14:17). Known as ‘Common Grace’
COMPARE
ALLAH 20X but only those who are
Good. –VS- Rom 5:8
B. God’s demonstration of compassion is called His PITY
LOVE Luke 19:41-44
C. God shows His
concern with WARNING LOVE Luke 13:3
"Say to them: 'As I
live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but
that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For
why should you die, O house of Israel?' (Ezekiel 33:11)
D. God’s offer to rejecting sinners is called His SALVIFIC
LOVE John 3:16
(See
Also Mark 10:17-22 about the rich young ruler whom Jesus loved)
POINT 2- When this universal (&
temporary) love is spurned, it turns to HATE
“The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” Psalm 5:5-6
“The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates” Psalm 11:5
A.
God’s wrath is spoken of
resting upon the SIN Romans
1:18
“For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.”
B.
God’s wrath is spoken of
resting upon the SINNER John
3:36
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;
and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God
abides on him."
“Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him
while He is near” Is 55:6
“Behold, now is the
accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” 2 Cor 6:2