The Basis of God's Acceptance Romans 8: 36-39

Read the passage: Romans 8

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8&version=ASV

(For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that 

whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.)

John 3: 16

There is something about the love of God that exceeds man’s 

comprehension, surely exceeding any deservedness on man’s part.

v.35 1. A love exceeding human understanding.

(Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? …)

2. A love exceeding sins’ debt.

pictured in John 3: 16

v.35 3. A love exceeding human experience.

(shall tribulation, or distress, …)

v.38 4. A love exceeding human authority.

(For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor

principalities, nor powers, …)

v.39 5. A love possessing perfect liberty.

(Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us

from the love of God, which)

v.39 6. A love God infuses into the life of the believer.

7. A love man cannot know or experience on his own.

God's Commitment to the Righteous Psalms 5: 11, 12

Read the passage: Psalms 5

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+5&version=ASV

v.11 1. God gives reason for true abounding joy.

(But let all those who put their trust in thee rejoice;)

v.11 2. God gives joy reason to continue.

(…let them ever shout for joy,)

v.11 3. God’s servant is secure from evil.

(because thou defendest them;)

v.11 4. God honors those who love His name, joy will be their possession.

(let those also who love thy name be joyful in thee.)

v.12 5. Blessings are God’s bestowal.

(For thou, Lord wilt bless the righteous;)

v.16 6. God will give the protection of His favor.

(with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.)

7. God will be round about His servant who honors Him.

(with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.)

The Sufficiency of God's Provision Acts 4: 34

Read the passage: Acts 4

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+4&version=ASV

(Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of

  lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold.)

Harmony with God will bring a genuine concern for others' needs.

    1. The freedom to love without restraint.

    2. The freedom to give and not lack.

    3. The freedom to receive and not be upbraided.

    4. The freedom to trust God's leadership.

    5. The freedom to trust the brethren.

    6. The freedom to trust future security into God's hands.

    7. The freedom for daily walking with God.

A Believer's Liberty Psalms 5: 11, 12

Read the passage: Psalms 5

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+5&version=ASV

v.11 1. Trusting in God frees the heart to rejoice.

(But let all those who put their trust in thee rejoice;)

v.11 2. Joy in the heart gives an affirming testimony of faith.

(…let them ever shout for joy,)

v.11 3. Absence of fear keeps the heart’s exclamation consistent.

(because thou defendest them;)

Fear being removed by the assurance of God’s defense.

v.11 4. The love of God’s name celebrates the heart.

(let those also who love thy name be joyful in thee.)

v.12 5. Righteousness in the heart gives substance to life.

(For thou, Lord wilt bless the righteous;)

v.16 6. The presence of God’s favor is a joyous experience.

(with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.)

Joy gives evidence to our strong defender, Christ.

7. Joy is to be a believer’s eternal response to our generous loving God.

The Odor of the Ointment John 12: 3-8

Read the passage: John 12

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+12&version=ASV

That having a sweet odor to God:

v.3 1. That which is a part of every believer’s possession.

(a pound of ointment)

People can give to the Lord, they have something to give, they just choose not to

  give.

v.3 2. That which has another value but by choice is given to God.

(a pound of ointment of spikenard)

v.3 3. That which costs the holder something.

(very costly)

worth a years wages 300 denarii

v.3 4. That which is poured out without reservation for self. No holding back.

(very costly, anointed and wiped his feet.)

v.3 5. That given out of a grateful  remembrance.

(anointed and wiped His feet.

The sister of Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead.

v.3 6. That which in brokenness yields (gives forth) its purity.

(anointed …)

Sometimes it takes brokenness in our life to yield forth purity.

v.3 7 That given in honor of Jesus.

(anointed the feet of Jesus)

v.3 8. That which is given with humility.

(His feet)  Matthew 26: 7   anointed His head

v.3 9. That which recognizes the pricelessness of life, not things.

(the feet of Jesus)

The ointment was expendable for His glory.

v.3 10. That given with the touch of loving favor.

(wiped His feet with her hair)

the personal heart of love.

v.3 11. That which is a sacrifice of the heart.

Pound of ointment … wiped His feet …)

v.3 12. That which envelops others’ hearts.

(the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.)

v.3 13. That which encourages others to glorify Christ.

(the house was filled …)

v.5,714. That for which its value increases as it is given.

(three hundred denarii; then said Jesus, Let her alone, for the day of my burial hath she kept this.)

Worth a  testimony throughout the ages. Mark 14: 9

Its greater value was only possible through its being given.

v.7 15. That which is fitting.

(then said Jesus, let her alone …)

Pleasing to the Savior.

v. 3,716. That which has value not used up in sacrifice.

  8 (house was filled with odor; for the day of my burial hath she kept this; … but me ye have not always)

v.8 17. That which gains the fellowship of Christ’s presence.

(…but me ye have not always.)

A Heart of Understanding John 12 3-8

Read the passage: John 12

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+12&version=ASV

v.3 1. True love for the Lord Jesus cannot be hidden.

(Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly,)

v.3 2. True love for Christ will regard His presence of greater value than any

  earthly possession.(a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly,)

v.3 3. True love for Jesus is shown in humble expression.

(and anointed the feet of Jesus,)

v.3 4. True love for Jesus is contained in the heart, expressed personally.

(and wiped His feet with her hair;)

v.3 5. True love for Jesus, when expressed, brings a sweet fragrance to 

those around.

(and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.)

v.5 6. True love for Jesus does not measure its offering of love because it

  has received God's gift of love.

(Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred denarii,...)

v.7 7. True love acknowledges the worthiness of Christ.

(Let her alone; ...)

The Loving Message John 13: 34, 35

Read the passage: John 13

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+13&version=ASV

v.34 1. It is Jesus’ desire.

(A new commandment I give)

v.34 2. It is Jesus’ command.

(A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another;)

v.34 3. It is Jesus’ heart.

(as I have loved you,)

v.34 4. It is Jesus’  harmony.

(as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.)

v.35 5. It is Jesus’ testimony.

(By this shall all men know …)

v.35 6. It is Jesus’ love.

(if ye have love)

v.35 7. It is Jesus’ capacity.

(love one to another.)

The Hearing of Prayer Luke 11: 11, 12

Read the passage: Luke 11

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+11&version=ASV

(If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a

  stone? or if he ask a fish will he for a fish give him a serpent?) ( Or if he 

shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?)

1. God hears what the believer is asking.

2. God extends the privilege of asking, initial asking and asking along the way.

see. v. 10

3. The request of faith is the request to which God responds.

1 John 5: 14, 15

The Holy Spirit has prompted right asking.

4. God has no pleasure in disappointing or bypassing a believer’s faith; in

fact the faith has Biblical origin, purpose, and sustenance.

5. God has a storehouse of supply available, ready, glorious and true.

6. God’s answers to prayer bring no harm to the believer.

7. God’s answers to prayer bring peace and benefit to the believer.