Stretch Enlarge Extend Part 2

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

John 3:16 is well-known and the only verse memorized by all Christians.  However, let us admit that we take this verse for granted.

STRETCH, ENLARGE, EXTEND your LOVE by…

…being SELFLESS

John 3:16a – “For God so loved the world, that he gave…” (NIV)

People love in order to experience that unique sensation and to be loved by someone else. But…we never love someone without personal gain. If we’re just going to be honest to ourselves, we are selfish by nature.  People love to be loved. Some people get married for selfish reasons. Some take advantage of their future spouse’s fame or financial success. Some find a spouse to escape an unhappy family or parental situation. Others want to get married because they’re getting old and the options are getting fewer and fewer.

God defined LOVE as SELFLESS.  God so loved the world, which means people of this world, that He gave.  God LOVED so He GAVE.  He did not require us to give Him love first.  He was the first one to love.  He was the first one to give.  He was the first one who chose you and me. Selfless love means to love regardless of your personal needs.

 …giving SACRIFICIALLY

 

John 3:16b – “…his one and only Son…” (NIV)

When God gives, He gives His best.  This is why God showed His love through giving us His one and only Son Jesus. When God gives, He sacrifices.  Sacrifice is not so common nowadays.  We are so used to technology that we don’t like having a hard time. In our generation, people love the easy way.  People like the fastest way.  People want shortcut in everything.  However, LOVING PEOPLE is not easy.  LOVING PEOPLE takes time.  LOVING PEOPLE has not shortcut.

In John 3:16, God taught us a new definition of LOVE.  God said when you LOVE you should GIVE. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” In relationship, there are GIVERS and TAKERS.  GIVERS are the ones who are SELFLESS. While TAKERS are the SELFISH ones.

God defined LOVE as SELFLESS.  God so loved the world, which means people of this world, that He gave.  God LOVED so He GAVE.  He did not require us to give Him love first.  He was the first one to love.  He was the first one to give.  He was the first one who chose you and me. Selfless love means to love regardless of your personal needs.

Love entails Sacrifices.  For married couples, what sacrifices have you made for your spouse? Others want to get married, but they don’t want to find a job. They want to be in a relationship but they don’t want to change their bad attitude. They don’t want to  let go of their pride.

Selfless love, like that of God, comes purely from a place within you which has no preconceived expectations or reciprocity in return. Selfless love begins when NOTHING is looked for in return.

…sharing SALVATION

John 3:16c – “…that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV)

God loves us so He spared us from going to hell. God loves us so much that He provided us a way to be with Him in heaven eternally.

However, it is unfortunate that sharing Jesus is the least of our concern.  We have so many concerns in life.  We’re concerned about our finances. We’re concerned about having a boyfriend/girlfriend.

We’re concerned about our future. the reason why we’re working on discipleship in our church is because we want people to love God and share Jesus as a lifestyle

Are you willing to sacrifice spiritually for the sake of your relationship with God and for the salvation of people around you?

Are we willing to stretch our love for others?