Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

Opening up of a subject this evening

Has been discussed in the Men’s Meetings

Is this a topic you have struggled with?

To do with a view of God’s character
Your understanding of God affects your worship
Do you have a hard view of others? – example
Do you have a wrong view of the love of God? – explanation

God is Love

The Bible says God is love

It never says God is wrath or anger
It does say that God can be angry

Love is part of His very nature – v8,16

Some theologians would not even class wrath as one of His attributes …
… though it is part of His holiness

Exodus 34:6-8

Love – merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abounding in goodness and truth
Wrath – not clearing the guilty
A balanced view

Some say you must preach the whole tennet of Scripture

Example of ‘Before they leave the stage’ and Ian Hamilton
Examples of how people are conversion
The most usual way people are converted is when they hear the good news of Christ

The Wrath of God

John 3:36

At the present time – all unbelievers have the settled anger of God on them
God’s anger towards sin and the sinner

Eph 2:3
Rom 1:18
Ps 7:11, 11:5
Prov 15:8-9,26

How can to the two be understood?

God detests sin – can the sinner be separated from their sin?

As humans we understand these ideas differently to how God thinks about it

We might think of wrath as being in a rage or vindictive – God never acts like this
Love is not a feeling – God defines love in a different way

What about the rich young ruler? – explanation
Think of Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem – explanation

Luke 6:27-28

We are called to love our enemies
We are to have the same disposition of love, compassion and pity as God does
God provides the sun and the rain for both good and bad
2 Pet 3:9
Ez 18:32,23, Ezk 33

God in love sent forth His Son, Jesus in love died on the cross for sinners
Righteousness and mercy kissed together at the cross
A special love for the believer

Eph 1:4

Rom 9

Practical Outworkings
God loves the sinner but hates the sin

Is this helpful?

In some respects
Does not represent the whole truth
The need to explain love

God’s love is unconditional

Does this need to be explained?

The unconditional aspect is the fact we don’t need to earn God’s love
There is still the need for repentance
This love is in Christ

Two Statements

Spurgeon
The Synod of Dort – (the 5 points of Calvinism)

All can be saved
The work of the cross is of infinite value
Disagreements over doctrines should not affect our fellowship with other Christians – provided we are united over primary issues
Does it affect our evangelism?
Rev 7:9-10
Many called but few are chosen

Closing Remarks