[LL] [PREACHING LESSON 1:] ‘THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH US’ WILL ALWAYS WORK TO WIN THE LOST

 

‘THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH US’ WILL ALWAYS WORK TO WIN THE LOST

 

The love of Christ which compels us always ensures souls will be saved.

 

II CORINTHIANS 5:14 "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:"

 

Introduction:

The love of Christ is truly experienced by everyone who has sincerely received Christ Jesus.

 

This love of Christ compels and encourages our hearts and minds to lead and reach out to sinners so they may be saved.

 

5 Important things about the love of Christ that compels us to lead others:

 

I. THE LOVE OF CHRIST SAVED US.

 

The love of Christ is what saved us.

 

EPHESIANS 2:4-5 (V.4) "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us," (V.5) "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"

 

If we have experienced this great love and it has given us the assurance of the salvation of our souls, then surely every sinner will also experience the salvation we have felt.

 

According to our text, even though we were dead because of sin, we were made alive together with Christ; therefore, we are saved by grace.

 

(EPHESIANS 2:5) "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"

Many sinners have experienced the salvation of their souls because of the love of Christ that compels us.

 

Example: The criminal on the cross was saved, the immoral Samaritan woman was saved, the cheating public official Zacchaeus was saved, and many other wicked people.

 

II. THE LOVE OF CHRIST SANCTIFIES US.

 

The love of Christ makes us holy.

 

I PETER 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

 

Holiness resulting from the love of Christ is our power as Christians to be effective in proclaiming the gospel of Christ to those sinners looking for the hope we experienced in Christ's love.

 

The great love of God is for all sinners in this sinful world

 

JOHN 3:16 "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."

 

If the great love of God is rejected by sinners, there is also a great punishment in the place of hell.

 

(JOHN 3:36) "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

 

III. THE LOVE OF CHRIST STRENGTHENS US.

 

The love of Christ gives us strength.

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

 

The love of Christ gives us courage and power to lead souls.

 

(II TIMOTHY 1:7-8) (V.7) "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (V.8) "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..."

 

The power we have in soul-winning is a clear movement of the Holy Spirit in our Christian lives.

 

(ACTS 1:8) "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..."

 

IV. THE LOVE OF CHRIST SUPPORTS US.

 

The love of Christ helps us.

II PETER 1:7-8 (V.7) "And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." (V.8) "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful..."

 

The great love of Christ is a big help to us Christians to ensure that our lives become fruitful.

 

If the good character of Christ increases in our lives, it will help our Christian lives become fruitful.

 

V. THE LOVE OF CHRIST SATISFIES US.

 

The love of Christ determines/satisfies our will.

 

I THESSALONIANS 2:19-20 (V.19) "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (V.20) "For ye are our glory and joy."

The love of Christ always carries a concern for the souls of sinners.

 

The souls we lead to Christ are our joy and crown before the Lord.

 

Conclusion:

The love of Christ is what always compels or encourages us Christians to lead sinners in every way possible.

 

I CORINTHIANS 9:19-20 (V.19) "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more" (V.20) "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews..."