For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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The Love of God is In Christ Jesus

When Hurricane Harvey came this past year, when it ramped up to a Category 3 and threatened to get stronger, the worst of it was headed straight toward Sinton. We were at first going to try to shelter in place at a Category 1, but when the news came of it’s strengthening, plan changed. We figured that there’s no way that the house would stand through that. So we gathered what we thought was valuable and put it in the metal container outside, and basically kissed the house goodbye. I remember as we left, we prayed together, and told God that we were thankful for the house while we had it. It was then, that I remembered this verse. There’s nothing that shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God’s love is not in houses and lands. No. It’s in Jesus Christ. Houses, lands, and things of this world can slip from you grasp, through your finger. Or hurricanes can take them away. But not the love of God because it’s in Jesus Christ.

This chapter began with (8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. And it ends with the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Maybe, if we get anything out of this entire chapter, we can understand that in Christ is God’s love, not condemnation. This may be the last message I ever preach here at Primera. This may be the last word I ever get to speak to you all. So if this was my last opportunity, my last chance, what would I say? If you knew that you had only one day left with your loved ones, what would you do? What would you say? That’s how I kinda see this. If this was my last chance to speak to you, what would I say? What would I use these last few minutes together with you to say?

 #1 Make sure you are in Christ Jesus

Make sure that you are in Christ Jesus; because the love of God is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The love of God is in Christ Jesus. That is where you’ll find God’s love. Nowhere else. And that is where I want to find myself; in Christ Jesus. Jesus told us, even of himself,  (John 3:16-17) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. God does not want you to die in your sin. He’s not willing that anyone should perish. No. He but he loves you and wants you to be saved in his Son. That the world through him might be saved! The love of God is in Christ Jesus! Make sure that you are in Christ Jesus.

It is the most important matter of your life. The bible says (Matthew 16:26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? How valuable is your soul to you? It’s valuable to God. He said that not even the whole world could pay for just one soul. You look at Matthew Chapter 7, on that last day: (Matthew 7:22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? These people are trying to find something to give in exchange for their soul. But God said no, if you add up everything in this whole world, it will not pay to redeem one soul. No. (1 Peter 1:18-19) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: The blood of Christ. It came from the same place you’ll find the love of God. The love of God is in Christ Jesus.

When they nailed Jesus to the cross and when they pierced his side, (Can I say this?) it was liquid love that flowed from the fountain. There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins. And sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains. (1 John 3:1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.  (Revelation 1:5) Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Make sure that you can say yes to this question: Are you washed in the blood? In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? The love of God is in Jesus Christ. Make sure you are in Christ Jesus.

I beg and I plead with you. Don’t take this thing lightly. (Matthew 7:13-14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Make sure that your way is the right way. I trust that the way I found is the right way. Your way may be different. I’ll admit that it is possible that we may both be wrong. But you’d have to admit that we both can’t be right. Make sure that your way is the right way. The bible says (Proverbs 14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Psalm 1:6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Make sure you’ve gone through the strait gate and are on the narrow way. Jesus said (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.

Make sure you’re saved. I’m not trying to make anybody doubt. I’m just glad a man of God came by my way and preached the gospel. He didn’t just assume that everybody between the four walls of that church was okay. I’m glad he preached Jesus one more time. I’m glad he preached John Chapter 3 (John 3:3) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  (John 3:6-7) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  Ye must be born again! Ye must! Ye must! Yet must! (John 1:12-13) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Make sure that you’re saved. Make sure you are born again. Make sure that you are in Christ Jesus.

Few there be that find it. (Hebrews 11:7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house. Noah, being warned of God… John the Baptist, he stopped those Pharisees and Sadducees coming down to the river to be baptized. (Matthew 3:7) O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Let me ask you this: Have you been warned of God? When Noah found out that judgment was coming, the bible says that he moved with fear. And we all know that the ark is type of Christ and of salvation in Christ. Well, out of all those people that were living on the earth, small and great, young and old, rich and poor, only eight people got in that ark. (1 Peter 3:20) When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved. Only eight. Not eight-thousand. Not eight-hundred. Not eighty. Only eight.

We’re not Jehovah’s witness and believe that there’s this set number going to heaven; that only 144,000 are going to make it. The door of the ark is wide open. The veil of the temple has been rent. The work has been finished. The price has been paid. Jesus said (Luke 14:16-17) A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: ¹⁷ And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. Everything is ready, and the invitation still stands. The bride says Come. The Spirit says Come. And Jesus said (Luke 14:23) Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. God has placed no limit to his love, no boundaries to his grace. But the truth of the matter is that (Matthew 22:14) Many are called, but few are chosen. It’s few there be that find it.

In the days of Noah, only the ones that got in that ark were saved. But you had to get in the ark. In the days of Egypt, the houses with the doorposts and the lintels struck with blood were the only place safe for the firstborn. If you were in that house, the Destroyer would passover you. But you had to get in the house. In the days of Jericho, the house with the scarlet cord hanging from the window was the safe house. Everybody in that house survived. But you had to get in the house. At the pool of Bethesda, it was whosoever got first in that pool was healed of whatsoever disease they had. But you had to get in the pool. You’ve got to get in Christ Jesus. There is where you’ll find it.

Find what, preacher? The love of God which is in Christ Jesus. I’m asking you today have you found the love of God? #1 Make sure you are in Christ Jesus.

#2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus

And this really the context of the passage we are in today. I do want to stay in context. Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. Now you realize that this is somewhat of an oxy-moron. The verse says that Paul is persuaded that nothing can seperate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. And there is nothing that can do that. Death cannot separate us from the love of God. Life cannot separate us from the love of God. Angels, fallen angels, devils, cannot separate us from the love of God. Principalities can’t. Powers can’t. And so forth… If you ever do find the love of God then there is nothing that can separate you from it. So if you ever get in Christ, there’s no getting out.

That is the biblical principle. But that is not what we practice. That is what we believe. But that is not how we behave. So when I say Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus, what I’m really trying to convey is to practice the principle; behave like what we believe; or walk the talk. Talk is cheap. I’m saying what Paul said to the Galatians (5:25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. I think, in a certain sense, Paul is saying, if the Holy Spirit lives in you, (I mean if God lives in you) then we ought to act like it. Look, I believe that Paul is really preaching down where the rubber meets the road. You just look at this list!

Death? There probably isn’t anything in this world that is feared most than death. I think most people, for the most part, like to live. I don’t particularly want to die. When someone wants to die, it’s a testament to how much they desire to live. Life has gone bad and they want it better. They want to live; and have a better life. But somehow they don’t believe it possible, so then they want death. It’s just in us to want to live; to want to survive. The fear of death can paralyze someone, but it can also mobilize someone. Death of our loved ones? It causes pain, sorrow, and tears. It causes hardships. It brings us troubles. Death can create voids and emptiness deep in the soul of man. Death has got real power on this earth!

But Paul, (He knew a few things about death!) who was left dead outside of Listra, who had experienced deaths oft (Go figure that! That is what the bible says), he said (1 Corinthians 15:51-58) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Now he said that when this happens. This is the reality of death for the Christian ⁵⁴ …then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And that’s the key word there: Victory! There’s victory in Christ Jesus. That’s why I’m saying Make sure you stay in! That’s why I saying that Paul is preaching where the rubber meets the road. Because death defeats us. And everything on Paul’s list defeats us. It causes us to live in defeat. We’re walk around living defeated lives. Why? Because we’re not practicing the principles. We’re not behaving like what we say we believe. James said  (James 2:17-18) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. If death has truly lost it’s power over us, if death has lost it’s sting, and the grave has lost it”s victory, if that is our faith, then our works ought to show that. It ought to proclaim that.

Paul said I’m persuaded that death shall not separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. I think Paul is saying I’m gonna stay in Christ Jesus. I’m gonna stay in the love of God. Jude said (Jude 21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. That’s what it means to be persuaded. I’m just gonna stay here. I’m just gonna stay in the love of God. I’m gonna stay in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is the love of God. There is the victory.

After Paul says ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. he says this: ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord… Do you see what he’s saying here church? He’s saying don’t give up! Don’t throw in the towel! Stay with the stuff! Lester Roloff used to say Stick with the stuff, and the stuff will stick with you. Stay the course!

And this goes for all of it; all of Paul’s list. We talked about death? What about life? Oh my! All the cares and troubles of this life. And there are many. And O How they defeat us? Life will whip you down and wear you out. I’m not sure which is worst? The up and down roller coaster life, or the day in day out tedious monotony of life. The bills always have to be paid. The clock never stops. The problems never stop coming. You get over one hill, here comes another. You solve one problem, three more on on the horizon. It never ends. Life can defeat us. But Paul said I’m persuaded that none of that is able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.

Listen, when we were lost all those things did separate us from the love of God, but now that we’re saved, they shouldn’t any longer do that. Remember the parable of the seed and the sower that Jesus told?  (Luke 8:5-8) A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. ⁶ And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. ⁸ And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. Jesus then gave the interpretation of the parable. And I don’t want to preach the whole parable, but look at what he said about them thorns.  (Luke 8:14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. The cares and riches and pleasures of this life have dominion over the lost. The saved, is free from those things. See, that’s what we believe, but is that what we practice?

Let me share something with you that’s helped me recently. I was reading back in Romans (Romans 5:20-21) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: ²¹ That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. This passage talks about Adam, and sin entering into the world, and Moses and the law, and the free gift coming upon all men. It’s written with a third-person ring to it. And because of that, I’ve always had a very external understanding of this. In other words, I see sin abounding in the world and grace abounding in Jesus Christ. I see how sin has reigned in that everybody and everything dies. But the other day, I internalized it. And it’s really helped me. I don’t just see it out there. I see it here in me. Listen he goes on to say in the next chapter: (Romans 6:12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Listen, the reason why sin and all these things get the best of you and defeat you is because you let them.

Let me explain something. (Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. When you got saved you changed masters. (Romans 6:18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. We’re not under the law, we’re under grace. Sin does not have dominion over us. Grace does. Paul said, (Romans 8:20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly… That means when we were lost, we didn’t have a choice in the matter. We were made subject to vanity, subject to corruption. And to understand this let me say this: We were made the subjects of corruption. That means corruption was the king. Corruption reigned. And we were brought under subjection to this king. We were under the law and sin reigned in our mortal body, not willingly. That means we didn’t have a choice but to yield to the sin. It had dominion. We were under subjection.

But now that we’re saved. We’re not under the law. Sin and corruption and vanity no longer have dominion over us. That’s what we believe. That’s the principle. But if that is not how we behave, if that is not what we practice, if we live defeated and under the power of sin, then Romans 6:12 it’s only because we let it. Before (lost) we were defeated not willingly. We had no choice. But now, if you are saved, and you still live in defeat, it’s by your own choice. You are letting sin reign in your mortal body. And Paul said Don’t do that. (Romans 6:12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Grace is now the king. Where sin used to abound, grace doth much more abound. When we let sin or anything keep us from living a victorious life in Christ, you realize we are letting something that has absolutely no dominion over us, no power over us, no authority over us… We’re letting it be in charge. We’re letting it. Why? Why are we doing this? Paul said (Ephesians 5:22) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands. And I’ve heard alot of preachers add and not to someone elses. That is essentially what we’re doing. Remember this doctrine of the bride of Christ that Paul had introduced? (Romans 7:4) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. The law and sin is not our husband any more; Christ is. When we let sin or anything keep us from living a victorious life in Christ, we are letting something that has absolutely no dominion over us, no power over us, no authority over us… We’re letting it be in charge. And this is why: It’s because we not fully persuaded. Paul said I am persuaded.

Now, let me try to explain why I know that this is so. We might be somewhat persuaded. Somewhat persuaded is when we got the principles down. But fully persuaded is when we got the practice down. Let me explain how we I believe we go wrong on this. Once we figure out that sin has no dominion and we are needlessly letting it reign in our life… Once we got the principles down, we think that to fix things we can just let grace reign instead. We tell God I’m not going to let sin reign anymore Lord, I’m gonna let grace reign now. Well, I’m not trying to burst anybody’s bubble here, but it doesn’t work like that. Listen, you can’t let grace reign in this life in Christ any more than you could let sin reign while you were lost.

You see this has nothing to do in regards to the choice we made when the Spirit of God convicted us of our lost condition. This is not about getting saved. This is about being saved, and living the saved life. (Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Things changed when you get saved. (Romans 8:20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly. When we were lost we were under subjection to vanity, which is corruption, to sin… When we get saved things have changed. We become servants of God; servants of righteousness, we are placed under subjection, but in hope. (Romans 8:20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. We are servants of righteousness. We are placed under subjection to righteousness, to hope, to grace, to faith, to love. We have to understand that a servant has no rights and no choice and no will. A servant is a slave. We cannot let or allow because we don’t have the power to do so.

So let me back track a little bit. Sin and the law and death no longer reign. The only way they can hurt us is when we let it. And the only reason why we are capable of letting it is because we’re not under it; we’re not under subjection to it. If we were under the law, we’d have no choice in the matter.. But we’re not under the law, we’re under grace. And grace reigns in the life of the Christian. We are under subjection to grace; to hope as the bible says. We are under them, not them under us. Let me repeat that because this sums it all for us. We are under grace, not grace under us. That is why we don’t have the authority to let grace or not let grace reign. It’s just not how it works.  So you see, it’s not a matter of you letting one or the other reign. If we think Well I’m just gonna let grace reign now instead of sin, do you see how you’re essentially declaring that grace truly has no dominion over you, because you think you have the power to somehow let it reign. No. we contradict ourselves when we think like that. Is it possible that just maybe this is why we don’t get the victory in this Christian life?

So when we hear this verse  (Romans 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It’s an easy verse to say Amen! Glory to God! We all love to hear this verse. We hear that verse on Sunday and we think Yeah! That’s right! Nothing is going to separate us! Wooooooo! But then we wake up Monday morning and reality sets in, and all these things (and I only covered two of them) seem to have dominion over us. Am I the only one that has this problem? They defeat us. They bring us down. They discourage us. You know what they’re doing? They’re separating us from the love of God. They’re driving a wedge between what we believe and how we behave; between our principles and our practice, between what we say Amen to on Sunday morning, and what live throughout the week.

And we go to church next Sunday and do it all over again. Is it possible that maybe, just maybe we’ve got something wrong. (Galatians 2:21) I do not frustrate the grace of God. Look, if you are in charge, there’s nothing more frustrating than when those who you are in charge of think that they’re in charge. Paul said I am not going to frustrate the grace of God. See, we do not let grace reign in this Christian life; grace let’s us reign. (Romans 5:17) Much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. If the riches of God’s graces were limited to what our finite minds would allow (or let), what a shallow salvation we would have?

Now let me try to tie this together. I know we’re kind of out there now. But let me try to tie this back together for us. Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God. That is the truth. That is what we believe. That is our principle. But in practice, there is a necessity, as Jude says, to (Jude 21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And the love of God is in Christ Jesus. That’s why I say Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. I’m saying stay with the love of God.

I’ll say this and move on. #1 Make sure you are in Christ Jesus. How did you get in Christ Jesus? (Romans 6:3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Paul said (Galatians 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: It was At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light, And the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day. That’s how you got in. But #2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. I’m not saying that you can lose your salvation. What I’m saying is what Jude was saying, Keep yourselves in the love God. Now how are you gonna do that? The blood that flowed down the cross that saved you is the same blood that keeps you. Stay near that cross. Putting your faith in the blood will save you. Putting your faith in the blood will keep you. Best advice I can give is to do like Fanny Crosby wrote Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me. If you want to live the victory in Jesus Christ, and have grace reign in your life, understand that its not in your power, authority, or even in your responsibility to let happen. There is no substitute for faith in the blood of Jesus Christ; the finished work of Calvary. There is a marked difference between letting and just trusting. Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus.

#3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus

I want to read to you Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:14-21) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (I remember one of my teachers, Brother Kyle Miller, had once said that this was like us getting to listen in on Paul the Apostle praying. This is what his prayer would sound like.) ¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; ¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. ²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Now, I want to say this: This is a prayer for the saints. (3:16) This is according to the riches of his glory. That’s for saints, not sinners. He prays that they might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. The Spirit’s abode is the inner man of the saint. (3:17) Now here he says That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Some preachers might say that he’s praying for their salvation in this verse. And I think that has a lot to do with how people say that Jesus came into their heart or that is how people are instructed to pray to be saved: Jesus, come into my heart. I really think we’re kinda pre-programmed to associate Jesus in the heart with getting saved. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that we just finished reading about the riches of his glory and the Spirit in the inner man. So they’re saved in verse sixteen, and lost in verse seventeen. I think not. Plus, this is the only verse in your bible you’ll read about Christ in the heart. Go figure. Search the scriptures… So… this prayer is for the saved.

Anyhow, the verse goes on to read being rooted and grounded in love. I think that this is the same thing that Jude really was saying when he said to Keep yourselves in the love of God. That’s #2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. But #3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus, I believe, is covered in verse 18 and 19 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Remember my initial question and thought? If this was my last opportunity to speak to you, what would I say to you? #1 Make sure you’re in Christ Jesus. Make sure you’re saved; you’ve been born again; you’re washed in the blood of the Lamb. #2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. Don’t be discouraged by all the things that are trying to separate you from the love of God. Don’t let them have dominion. Instead, stay near the cross. Keep yourself in the love of Christ. Trust in the finished work of Christ. Don’t give up. Don’t let go of that! Now #3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus.

Purpose in your heart that by the grace of God, you are not going to stay a babe in Christ all your Christian life. God never intended for us to be stagnant. He wants us to grow and learn. He sent the Holy Ghost for that very reason, to teach us all things, to guide us into all truth. (Jude 20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, He gave us pastors, teachers, that we might learn some things. (Ephesians 4:11-16) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: ¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The love of God is in Christ Jesus. God doesn’t want us to just be in it, but to know it; to  comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. So you see, we need to develop our comprehension skills, Amen? And that comes with growth. The perfecting of the saints? That’s maturing. The edifying of the body of Christ? That’s growing in strength. He said that we henceforth be no more children. Children are at a disadvantage is some things because they’re not mature; because the lack strength. But as they grow, mature, strengthen, they become alot more useful, amen? I remember when the boys couldn’t use the weed-eater. They were too young. I couldn’t trust them, and they could carry the thing. But now they’ve grown; matured and strengthened. God wants us to grow up, amen? Spiritually. That’s what he said, isn’t it? But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus. The love of God is in Christ Jesus. And it’s in love that we grow. Love is fertile ground where fruit is brought forth unto God. And trees don’t bring alot of fruit until they’ve grown some. Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus. If there is something I wanted to tell you, if this was my last day with you. This is one. Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus. And the more we comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of God’s love, the more we grow. If this list that Paul has given us (death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, depth, height, creatures) defeats us and has us under subjection. (I’m don’t feel right saying if they defeat us. I know they do. Paul knew they did. That’s why he wrote what he wrote.) If we live defeated lives, that is a testament to how well we comprehend the love of God.

Now the bible says that we ought to comprehend it, but it also says that it passeth knowledge. This means that it’s not an education, it’s a revelation; revealed by his Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Paul said, in what we just read (Ephesians 4), that God has given us pastors and teachers that we might mature and grow in strength (4:12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. He said we ought to grow for this reason: (Ephesians 4:13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: And what did he say back in chapter 3? And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. The fulness of Christ and the fulness of God.

I’ll tell you what my pastor and teachers told me. (Ephesians 5:17-18) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; The love of God is revealed in the will of God. That is how we come to comprehend, as the bible says, the love of God, by finding and doing the will of God. And it’s the Holy Spirit of God that knows the will of God. (Romans 8:27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. We must be filled with the Spirit know the will of God; to comprehend the love of God; to grow in Christ Jesus.

Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus. This means that we should not be satisfied with our comprehension of the love of God. We shouldn’t be satisfied until we know and do the will of God. It means that if the bible says to be filled with the Holy Ghost, then we ought to say with all our hearts That’s what I want. That’s what I want for me and my family. That’s what I want for my church. Paul was never satisfied with himself. (Philippians 3:8-14) That I may win Christ, ⁹ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: ¹⁰ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ¹¹ If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. ¹² Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

And there it is again! It’s in Christ Jesus! It’s all in Christ Jesus. That’s the same place you’ll find the love of God. It’s in Christ Jesus. Paul said, that I may be found in him. To be in Christ is to be in love! Don’t ever be satisfied with your comprehension of God’s love. Go back to Ephesians (4:15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things. You grow up in love. (4:16) Maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. You’re strengthened in love; established in love.

Dont’ be satisfied with your comprehension of the love of God. If God can open your understanding when you were lost and dead in trespasses and sin, and reveal to you the love of Christ, how much more, now that you’re saved, now that the Spirit of God dwells in you, now that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made you free from the law of sin and death. How much can God reveal his love for you? How much more now that he’s renewed your spirit? How much more now that he’s given you a new heart? How much more? Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!

(2 Peter 3:18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus. Make sure that you are rooted and grounded and tapped into God’s fertile fields of love. (Psalm 1:3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Get a hunger and desire for fruit. Fruit is growth.

(Romans 12:1-2) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Get a hunger and a desire to know and do the will of God. (Hebrews 10:7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Preacher Allen always says Get on the ‘possom trail for God’s perfect will for you life and don’t let anything get in your way. (Hebrews 12:1) Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Purpose in your heart that you are gonna go with God no matter what the cost. Make sure that you grow in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion

Get off the bleachers and run the race! Get off the sidelines and run the race! Get off the bench and run! Don’t ever be satisfied where you are at  until you reach the finish line. Don’t ever think that God can’t use you, or bless you, or grow you. Don’t live in the defeat of death, life, angels, and all those things. But live in the love of God. Stay in the love of God. And grow in the love of God. The love of God is in Christ Jesus. In him we’ll find everything we need. And God’s love covers just about everything. In Christ we’re saved. In Christ we’re safe. In Christ we’ll sprout.

If this was my last opportunity to speak to you, what would I say to you? #1 Make sure you’re in Christ Jesus. Make sure you’re saved; you’ve been born again; you’re washed in the blood of the Lamb. #2 Make sure you stay in Christ Jesus. Don’t be discouraged by all the things that are trying to separate you from the love of God. Don’t let them have dominion. Instead, stay near the cross. Keep yourself in the love of Christ. Trust in the finished work of Christ. Don’t give up. Don’t let go of faith. Now #3 Make sure you grow in Christ Jesus. Purpose in your heart that by the grace of God, you are not going to stay a babe in Christ all your Christian life.