Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Mar. 23, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999, 2000, and 2001 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF LOVE

By Michael D. O'Neal              Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church              Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-8

Text: Romans 5:8

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Introduction: The greatest love a man can have is defined by our Lord in

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Yet, the love of Jesus is greater than the greatest love that any man has ever had. Why? Jesus did not only die for His friends; He died for His ENEMIES. He did not die for just those who love Him; He died for those who hate Him.

Let us not lose sight of our Lord's great love. It's the greatest love story ever told. Husbands, you are told to love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church. You certainly should think on the love of the Lord. Let me point out some facts tonight about our Lord's love.

I. THE LOVE OF JESUS IS SINLESS

Not all love is sinless, holy, and true. For instance:

Proverbs 7:18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

The love of Jesus was and is sinless

A. In its motive

B. In its manner

C. In its meaning

II. THE LOVE OF JESUS IS SELFLESS

Romans 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

A. He left heaven for others

B. He lived in human flesh for others

C. He lay down His life for others

III. THE LOVE OF JESUS IS SACRIFICIAL

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

A. He was slandered for you

B. He was smitten for you

C. He was spat upon for you

D. He was slain for you

IV. THE LOVE OF JESUS IS STEDFAST

John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

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.

A. It is not distracted by love for something or someone else

B. It is not diminished by time

C. It is not discontinued if we become unlovely

V. THE LOVE OF JESUS IS SPOKEN

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

A. Jesus spent time with people and told them He loved them

B. Jesus scribed His love in the Bible to be preserved

C. Jesus spreads His love by His spirit, whose fruit IS love - Galatians 5:22

VI. THE LOVE OF JESUS IS SHOWN

John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

A. It was shown by His tears

B. It was shown by His touch

C. It was shown by His tenderness

VII. THE LOVE OF JESUS IS SPURNED

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

A. Because of His Person

B. Because of His purity

C. Because of His purpose

VIII. THE LOVE OF JESUS IS STIRRING

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

A. It stirs us to lean upon Him for salvation

B. It stirs us to live for Him in service

C. It stirs us to look for Him in the Second Coming


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