THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIAN TRADITION

 

Chapter 18

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Imitating a God Who Gives

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Text

Eph. 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

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Memory Verse

Acts 17:25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.​

 

Introduction

You cannot truly love someone without giving. Even an enemy might give in order to bait someone, but real love always involves giving.

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That is why “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16). That “so” tells you how big His love is. It is huge enough to give up His only Son, Jesus, for our sake.

 

I show my wife and children I love them by serving their needs and by thinking ahead - looking for ways in which to show love in whatever life throws at us. God does the same, but on a way bigger scale.

 

Presentation

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1. How God Demonstrates His Love For Us

(1) He gave us creation for our physical well-being (Eph. 1:3-4).

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We did not ask for it. Air, food, water, the earth – it is all love built into the design.

 

(2) He gave us Jesus for our spiritual well-being (Rom. 5:8).

 

Again, we did not ask. While we were still messing up, He sent His Son.

 

2. What God’s Love-Gift Looks Like

(1) It is good and pleasing (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25; Rom. 8:32; Eph. 5:2).

 

God does not give junk. What He gives is meant to bless and satisfy.

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(2) It is indescribable (2 Cor. 9:15).

 

There are not words big enough for the gift of Jesus.

 

(3) It meets real needs (Gal. 4:4-5).

 

Not wants we make up, but the deep need for salvation, forgiveness, and relationship.

 

(4) It is priceless (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

 

It could not be bought with money, gold, or good deeds. Only the blood of Christ could pay.

 

(5) It is original and inventive (Rom. 5:7-8; John 15:13; 1 Cor. 2:7-9).

 

No one thought of this plan. God’s love went where no one else would go.

 

(6) It is freely given, not forced (Eph. 1:4; 5:1-2).

 

God chose to love us before we chose Him.

 

Conclusion

A giving God is a reigning God. If you are becoming like God, you will also arm yourself to give - meeting the needs of people around you for His sake.

 

When you do that, you are reigning with Him (1 Cor. 3:9). Let us use His grace to walk willingly in that same hospitality and generosity.

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Evaluation Questions & Answers​

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1. If a rich person only keeps friends who are rich like himself, can he demonstrate God’s love? How?

   • Not really. God’s love reaches out to the needy. If you only stick with people who have what you have, you miss the chance to give, serve, and reflect God’s heart for the poor and broken.

2. How does God’s gift of the Bible demonstrate His love for us?

   • It is God speaking to meet our deepest need: to know Him, be corrected, encouraged, and guided into life. It is good, it is free, and it meets us exactly where we are at.

3. If someone lived completely alone with no other people, is the preaching of Jesus for them? Why?

   • The preaching of Jesus is for every person because every person needs salvation and a relationship with God. Even if you were alone, you would still need what Jesus provides. And in reality, God puts us in community so that we can live out that love together.

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Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word. Give us grace to shine Your light in this dark world and to love as You love - by giving. Amen.