INTRODUCTION - HERE IS AN ETERNAL LOVE STORY, NEVER UNDERSTOOD BY MAN, APPRECIATED ONLY BY THE WISE

• Deut 7:8-"Because the Lord loveth you"-one of 1st direct mention of driving force of God
• But when God plainly said "I have loved you"- Mal 1:2- men answered "Wherein?" eyes for money
• The whole theme of the Gospel is "For God so Loved" John 3:16

But instead of being "Rooted and grounded in love"- we spitefully mock His love. What if we appreciated it?

I. THE LOVE OF GOD DISPLAYED - ROM 5:5-10

Paul is trying to arrange an open showcase of the product he wants to give us  - see it!

"THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST" - v5b

• This is not man's love for God- but God's love for mankind the greater for the lesser
• "Shed abroad" is mistranslation by Jerome Vulgate, should be poured forth- or flooded
• The recipient- our hearts- Not a shower of external gifts- but warmth, goodness, heart

"GOD COMMENDED HIS LOVE TOWARD US" WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US - v. 8

• If you want any proof, evidence, outward show of love- look here- Christ died for us
• Some would die for a good man- but Christ died for the ungodly-while we were enemies!
• His love shown- like Queen of England visiting smallpox wards! - Missionaries in Viet Nam

"WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM." - v. 9 - THE AFFLUENT MAN ASKS "SAVED FROM WHAT?"

• God's word says "From Wrath" - I tried to preach about it this morning
• "The Wrath"- very pointed- this means HELL, with demons, torments, agony, anguish-forever!
• This wrath is also demonstrated by some of our troubles today- I don't want wrath forever! 

It is God's great love that saves us, and Paul is trying to show the greatness of it!

II. THE LOVE OF GOD SECURE - Rom 8:

When we take a product today, we worry about whether or not it will last- enduring!

"I AM PERSUADED" - v. 38a - THE HARDHEADED SAUL OF TARSUS WAS FINALLY PERSUADED!

•  Paul's experience, education, and touch with God firmly convinced him of the following facts
• His life had been full of adventure- hardships, II Cor 11:24-33 But he had seen Jesus
• In all these troubles- even deserted by friends- God never deserted Paul- He persuaded

"THAT NOTHING CAN SEPERATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD", AND PAUL LISTS EVERY POSSIBLITY - v.38

• He attempts to show the opposites- life-/death, things present/to come; height/depth
• The nor any other creature- means anything else created! -this includes you!

NOTHING CAN SEPERATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD - OR MAKE GOD STOP LOVING US!

• We have the feeling if people do not do to please us, we don't like them any more!
• But a small baby can put a finger in mother's eye, pull hair, bite - does she stop love?
• Here the wearability of the Gospel is plainly stated - God's love will not cease!

Paul was convinced after all his experiences- and like Jude- he believed God could do it.

III. LOVE OF GOD IS VICTORIOUS - Rom 8:37-

The love of man may fail, wax cold, be worn out, cease, but God's love is victorious

IN ALL THINGS, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERERS THOUGH HIM THAT LOVED US - v.37

• Some in life- victorious over sins, circumstances- some in death-martyrs-victorious-
• But all who are in Jesus are always triumphant- II Cor 2:14.

IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? - v. 31

• You know the answer to this question- the World, the flesh, and the devil are against us.
• But these forces cannot bring anything as a charge against the Lord's own elect-
• All of these things are ours- why are we so defeated, discouraged, downtrodden???

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN THE LOVE OF GOD, BY BEING A PART OF GOD'S ELECT!

• There are false promise claimers- claiming God's promises for salvation-but not saved.
• There are also some who want to claim promises for faithfulness- and play church-
• Though God's love has to punish- oh the joy of being in the will of God-

If you will seek out God's will-be under his double blessing, nothing can hold you back.

CONCLUSION - INSTEAD OF ALLOWING ANY DISCOURAGEMENT T0 OVERTAKE YOU, LIVE VICTORIOUSLY !!

• God has offered His eternal love - will you accept it?
• If you reject it, He will not force it upon you- its absence is HELL.
• If you receive it, and walk in His love- you will have an exciting life.