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. Romans 8:38–39

Libraries and bookshelves are filled with great books that have been written by men and women with interesting stories.   It is not my intention to mention any of them by name for they fade in comparison to the story I want to share with you.  

The GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD is no fabrication, fable, allegory, parable, or any other kind of story.  It is a story that effects every person, as we all live forever in eternity, in one place or the other.  It is a love story like no other that has ever been told, known, or written about.

The story begins before there was anything, anywhere save the triune God head.  Before the angels, before the stars, before the dawn of time, this story had its beginning concerning man.   It is a story of love for the soul of man, even though the Creator knew already that man would sin against him.

Never has anyone loved their enemy as God has loved fallen man.  Even when the angels rebelled and were cast out of heaven God’s love never offered them a way of forgiveness.  They were eternally damned to the Lake of Fire as consequence for their. But, not so with man who was made in the image of God.  The heart of God was moved with pity and in his grace, that he alone has, he determined to save the very ones who had no love for him. Oh, yes, what a God we serve!

The first advance notice we have is found in Genesis chapter three and verse fifteen. 

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

This announcement came after Adam had ate the forbidden fruit God warned him about.  Deliberately sinning against God, Adam and Eve became sinners.  Now all their off springs would be sinners down to the present hour.  All the children of men are sinners and the sins of men are disgusting, and painful, bringing sorrow and death.  Behind that sin was the cunning Serpent (Devil) who had deceived Eve, and who then gave the forbidden fruit to her husband Adam.

Wherefore, as by one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  Romans 5:12

A promised Messiah was found in Genesis three and verse fifteen, but four thousand years went by before he appeared to a virgin, pledged to marry a carpenter in Nazareth a small town in Galilee. The angel Gabriel appeared to this virgin and made this astonishing announcement:

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,   To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.   Luke 1:26-33

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 4:4, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

God had given the Jewish nation the Law to show them how sinful man was.  But the nation of Jews thought that by observing all the rituals and ceremonies and offering up their many sacrifices they were pleasing God. They did not understand that their salvation was not in the Law, but in their promised Messiah.

One night on the dark hills of Bethlehem some shepherds were watching their flocks when suddenly the night sky was filled with angels.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11

The love of God for sinful man was in full display as Mary with the babe was housed in a stable when the shepherds came to see the one who was born the King of the Jews.

What a beautiful sight as this little family is huddled in a stable with the Son of God lying in a manger.  I like what the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  Philippians 2:6-9

Can you get hold of this truth, the God who spoke the universe into existence would through the incarnation, come into the world as a human, just like every other human, except without a sin nature.

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  John 1:29

Jesus would live a perfect life that pleased God and he would be the perfect sacrifice to pay the sin debt for all of mankind.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  1 Peter 2:24

What a Savior.  What love.  What marvelous grace for sinners, like me! There is forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, my friend.

While the birth of the Savior is so wonderful, and the story behind it so amazing, one day some thirty-three years later his own people, the Jewish nation rejected him.  They said we will not have this man to rule over us and they had Pilate to crucify him on a cross outside of Jerusalem, the city of God.  The city that did not want God.  

The Apostle John writes in John 1:11:  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

While God has shown his love to all mankind, most of mankind still rejects his love.  Man loves his sin.  He is not willing to humble himself and repent and trust Jesus as savior.  What about you today, my reader?  Have you honestly repented of your sin and trusted Jesus as your savior?

When we read the holy scriptures, it is clear God has done all he can do to save sinners from their sin.  He will not force anyone.  He will not make the choice for you either.  By your own decision it will be determined whether you spend eternity in heaven or in hell.

God wants to show you his love and glory forever and if you are wise, you too like me, will believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is the greatest story ever told.

This divine truth is found only in our Holy Bible, which is the very word of God.  I believe this with all my heart.  I have preached it for fifty years and I know it is true.  It has proved itself over and over in my life, and so with confidence I can encourage you, and all who read this, our only hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The problem today with nearly all people is they do not understand how condemned they are.  People do not understand how awful their sin is before Holy God. Some people even think they can reason with God on judgment day, ignorantly thinking “if” there is a judgment day.  Some today do not even believe they will stand before God for judgment.  Some even believe surely God would not send THEM to hell. But people do not understand God is holy and will not tolerate any sin in his presence. 

While God loves everyone, everyone must repent of their sin and trust Jesus as their savior to experience the forgiving grace of God.  God is keeping a record of every word, thought and deed of us all, and this is proven in his books, as these verses reveal.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  Revelation 20:11-12

My friend, EVERYONE should do everything in their power to avoid this Great White Throne Judgment described in the scripture from Revelation. Folks, God did not come to condemn man! God came to save man not only from a place like the Lake of Fire, but from living a life of hell on this earth for all who do not know him. If you have not accepted Jesus as your savior, please find a Bible believing church to help you get to know Him today. It will be the best decision you can ever make.

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. John 3:16

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Holy Father, I pray all my readers will trust Jesus, and love and serve him with all their hearts.  We praise you for the love of God manifested in Jesus our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

“Loving the Savior” Preacher