The Father's Love
The Father's Love3
Heaven's Grand Repository
By Ralph Erskine0ISA 42:1MAT 11:27JHN 3:35ROM 6:141CO 3:21EPH 1:22PHP 4:19COL 1:19HEB 12:2REV 1:18Ralph Erskine emphasizes the profound love of the Father for the Son, as expressed in John 3:35, where all things are entrusted to Christ. He argues that understanding the Father's love for the Son enhances our appreciation of Christ's sacrifice and encourages our faith in Him. Erskine outlines how this divine arrangement not only honors Christ but also provides believers with a solid foundation for their faith, as all spiritual and material needs are met through Him. He exhorts the congregation to trust in Christ, who holds all things necessary for salvation in His hands, and to recognize the eternal security found in Him. The sermon serves as a reminder of the boundless grace available to all who believe.
Beholding the Father's Love
By Mike Bickle3951:19MAL 3:6JHN 3:1JHN 15:9JHN 17:23ROM 5:5EPH 3:17PHP 1:9HEB 13:81JN 4:16REV 3:9Mike Bickle emphasizes the profound nature of the Father's love for us, drawing from John 15 and 17, where Jesus reveals that God loves us with the same intensity as He loves His Son. This love is not only a theological concept but a transformative reality that should shape our relationship with God and how we view ourselves. Bickle encourages believers to abide in this love, allowing it to change their hearts and minds, and to recognize their worth as beloved children of God. He stresses that understanding this love is crucial for experiencing true joy and confidence in our relationship with God.
The Costliness and Blessed Self-Hiding of the Love of Christ
By John Nelson Darby0LUK 15:20JHN 17:23John Nelson Darby emphasizes the profound nature of Christ's love, highlighting that while the manifestation of His love is precious, the source of that love—the Father's love—is even more blessed. He illustrates this through the prayer of Jesus in John 17:23, where the glory given to the Church is a testament to the Father's love rather than a direct reflection of Christ's love for her. Darby further explains that the honor bestowed upon the Church is not tied to her sinfulness but rather to the Father's delight in her, akin to the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. The sermon invites believers to understand the depth and costliness of Christ's love, which ultimately leads to a greater appreciation of the Father's love and glory. This love is both touching and considerate, encouraging the Church to delight in Christ.