The Length of Christ's Love

I. Preface
A. Review context of Ephesians
B. Why consider the love of Christ topically?
C. Setting the course for this sermon
D. Introductory illustration: Ultra-distance running

II. The EXPANSE of Christ's love
A. Nothing is too far from God's reach
1. Gen 18:14, Num 11:23, (Dt 30:4-5)
B. God's arms are not too short
1. Isaiah 50:2, 59:1, (Job 40:9)
2. (Psalm 22:1); Psalm 139:8-10
C. Application: Think of a person who appears furthest from God's saving grace, and pray that the arm of God'smercy will reach down and save them.

III. The ENDURANCE of Christ's love
A. His love endures forever – Psalm 118, Psalm 136 (26 times!)
B. God is unchanging – Mal 3:6
C. The attribute of God's immutability
1. in His essence (Psalm 90:1-2)
2. in His attributes (love - 1 John 4:8)
3. in His will (without passions = impassable)
D. God's immutability is a terror to the wicked
1. Justice or Mercy – which do you desire?
E. God's immutability is a comfort to believers because it means that God is always faithful to the promises of His Word
1. He is our Rock (Deut 32:4, Psalm 18:2, 31)
2. Great is His faithfulness (Lam 3:21-23, Psalm 36:5)
F. Application: Is your love changing? (1 Cor 13:4,5,7) or,
as you comprehend the love of Christ, are you being conformed to that image?

IV. The ETERNALITY of Christ's love
A. Eternity past to eternity future (Ps 102:25-27, 103:17, Jer 31:3)
1. God's love in eternity past (election)
a. Col 3:12, 1 Thess 1:4, 2 Thess 2:13, Eph 1:4-5, 2:4-5
2. God's love in eternity future – John 13:1
a. How long is unto the end? end of life? until we sin?
b. No! 1 Cor 1:8, 2 Cor 1:2, 2 Thess 3:3-4, Jude 24-25
3. Love this way! SS 2:8-13