Love of God - Part 2 — K.P. Yohannan

Discover the most precious loving act ever done today on the road to reality. The love of God. Some have beautifully portrayed it through music and we've heard pastors teach on the subject. We've also seen it on display in and through so many of our lives.

Understanding God's Love Through Scripture

But if we want the perfect most accurate portrayal we open the word. And that's what we'll do today on the road to reality with KP Ohannon of gospel for Asia. We begin this week's broadcast with a story KP would like to paraphrase for us reading the story.

Imagining the Woman Caught in Adultery

One night as a matter of fact just a couple of months ago. It was late late into the night. Maybe one or two in the morning. And I thought I'd like to write this story and Paraphrase it So I can better understand it.

I Imagined myself to be one of those people watching this whole event transpiring right in front of my eyes and Maybe part of this I'll read for you that can help you understand what love is all about.

The Sun was up Casting purple shadows some of the mighty trees in the open space. A large crowd gathered Around Jesus even at that hour to hear him teach. Suddenly the silence was broken. Surge of angry men rushing toward Christ.

A pack of bloodthirsty wolves. The Scribes and the Pharisees. They did not come alone. In their midst was the nameless woman a wounded lamb Being dragged and pulled by strong muscle men whose faces and hearts were made of stone.

They spat on her Cursed her called her names. She cried out with pain. She struggled to get free from their iron grip, but what use? Where could she run to? Who would give her shelter? Finally she gives up.

They shout her at Jesus feet. There she lay in a huddled heap Trembling with fear Sobbing bitterly had bowed in shame. Her dust filled hair fell on her face body bruised from being dragged across the cobbled streets.

Her dress was torn and stained with blood and dust. The irreligious self-righteous crowd spewed out their accusations at Jesus. Their words were cruel and sharp. They had no mercy. They spoke for God.

They believed. They did not know. They were talking to God. There was Christ surrounded by this angry mob. I could not help but see his pain filled face his eyes with an infinite sadness. He raised his head.

Their shouting suddenly ceased. His head he heard the demand. This woman was caught in the act of adultery. Our Lord demands that she must be stoned to death and It must be done now. What do you say? I?

If they caught her in the act of adultery Surely she could have. She could not have done it alone. Where is the man? Where is he to share in her shame. And I said to myself it is not fair. Jesus did not answer them.

He stooped down. Slowly and deliberately begins to scribble in the dust with his index finger the very finger that once etched the law on the tablets of stone. Then Christ looked in the face of these men a piercing look and said He that is without sin among you let him cast a stone at her.

He continued writing in the dust. What was he writing? I couldn't see but suddenly I heard the thud of stones after stone falling on the ground one by one they turn around quietly hurrying away. Running to hide themselves from the bright light that had exposed their sins.

The crowd disappeared the wolves were gone. No one stoned her. I went closer to see her face. I Will never forget the look on her face eyes so distant so blind. No defines left in her it was obvious. She had given up her shoulders slumped forward her face looked all deep lines of pain etched upon it.

She was not humiliated by this experience. She was beyond humiliation. The stillness was broken only by her sobbing. Christ stretched out his arms helped her to stand up from her heap of ashes. Her head still hung down.

Weeping as she covered her face with her dirty hands. Then with eyes full of grace and love He said to her woman Where are those your accusers. Has no one condemned you. She whispered. No one Lord. He did not ask her any more questions.

He did not ask her about her past her sins her failures. Nothing. He did not ask her for any explanations if only the stones could speak. How many stories They will say about the men that held them in their tight grip.

If anyone could have asked. Should have asked. It was he about her past, but he wouldn't. For her sins were against him and no one else. But he was silent. He understood her heart then he said to her neither do I Condemn you.

Her face lit up. The Sun rose on her face the wrinkles on her face suddenly disappeared. Her eyes no longer dull and colorless. Her eyes no longer dull on colorless seems to flash in the morning Sun. She looked into his eyes Trying to take him all in trying to understand the strange man who acted like no man She had ever met.

Suddenly the rivers of tears began to run down her cheeks. She cried a long time As though her soul was cleansing itself. I will never forget what Jesus did next. He reached down to her gently tenderly and wiped her tears from her face.

Suddenly she stopped crying a smile Broke out on her face. Her tearful eyes lit up. He cupped her face in his hands. He held her face a long time Not really looking at her but through her. As though he was looking at her heart and all the scars on her soul.

It was as if he was healing her soul Looking her sin away giving her beauty for ashes and then abruptly He let her face go he turned to leave and Simply said Go in peace. I Love you. When you read the stories of people in the Bible, these are very few words, but you have to imagine the pain the deep heart.

Receiving Forgiveness Without Condemnation

If there was a camera someone invents to photograph your thoughts. Register every act of yours in secret every plan you have in your head. Frightening frightening Isn't it? Yet we all stand condemned He without sin cast the first stone you and I.

We pretend so much we act the role so many times. We say the right words and offer this right prayers and read the Bible passages and we talk about it and we answer the questions correctly. Yet, you know deep down.

How much you need the grace the forgiveness. But do you know what he asked no questions? He is not asking you just tell me all the stuff you have done. He is not saying come to the room Let me turn the tape on watch the movie of your life.

He's not calling angels But tens of thousands who watch to you every act. Every event of your life and say testify about this individual bring conviction so I can help know. He gives you the freedom says I ask no questions.

I only offer you.

Forgiveness because I love you. A wonderful picture of God's love, huh? And that's the same love He offers so graciously to us. You're listening to KP O 'Hannon on the road to reality from gospel for Asia.

And before we return to KP I'd like to briefly tell you about this year's renewing your passion conference. Come and be refreshed and encouraged in your walk with the Lord as you hear testimonies from the Asian mission field.

KP will also be speaking to us and you'll enjoy heartfelt worship prayer and fellowship with other believers who share your Passion for Christ and reaching the lost plan on joining us this year. Won't you it takes place in Dallas, Texas, July 11th through the 13th?

Register early and find out more information at our website win Asia org. That's win Asia org or call 866 win Asia. Many of you have no doubt seen the movie the passion of the Christ as KP returns now.

Peter's Denial, Judas's Despair, and Christ's Restoration

He draws our attention to the film's portrayal of Peter's denial.

Last night when you were watching the all those of you watch the passion of the Christ and I was right there on the On the street there and just watching part of it and then the section I watched was Peter.

I mean how graphically it was portrayed. And You remember the scene when Mary tried to touch him and Calls his name and he just drive them away. Don't don't don't. I denied him three times. Can you just imagine his feeling.

I mean when he was Judas Demons haunting him and his desperation. Oh, you know, you have to understand better of the situation and but thinking just put yourself in the shoes of Judas the absolute the absolute hopelessness of being lost forever.

There's no return. And he can't take it anymore. So he must kill himself. Remains. He simply could have just like Peter Said Lord, I did it. I did it. I did it. I look to you he thought by giving the money back and Trying to undo the past by his effort.

He could make it. It don't work. By killing himself and torturing himself. There's no answer the answer my friend. Is Jesus my lord? John's gospel chapter 21 verse 15 to 17 we read Jesus after resurrection.

Coming to meet with Peter. Do you realize that? To the women all the disciples after his resurrection. I mean nobody's name particularly mentioned as such except the way he mentioned Peter's name go and tell my disciples.

I am result by the way, don't forget to tell Peter. Where is Peter? He's not with us he's gone he went back to the old business. His back swollen he gave up. Find him tell him. No wonder you read there in that passage and John's gospel chapter 21 Peter Do you love me?

Peter never had to ask Jesus. I'm gonna ask you one question. He came after me do you love me. I Made a mess of everything. He didn't have to he knew it is obvious for first century a historian writes about the last Hours of Peter's life from the prison cell.

They took his wife out to kill her to murder her and From the prison cell as she was being taken away it says. He spoke in loud voice crying out my wife. Don't forget how much he loved. We often sing these songs.

The Prodigal Son and Robert Robinson's Return to Grace

Come thou found of every blessing. Tune my heart to sing thy grace streams of mercy. Never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise. You know who wrote that? The man who wrote that song his name is Robert Robinson.

He came to Christ under the preaching of George Whitfield the 18th century fiery preacher. What powerful words. But you know what happened? Sadly like it happens to many of us even some of you sitting here sadly Robinson wandered away from the streams.

Like the prodigal son he journeyed into the distant country of carnality Living in sin. One day he was traveling in a stagecoach and sitting beside a young woman engrossed In her book that she was reading.

She ran across a verse. She thought was beautiful and asked What? Mr. Robert Robinson thought about it Sitting next to this woman. He listened to the words asked this woman read it to him prone To wander Lord, I feel it prone to leave the God I love.

Those words from the same song that he wrote Busting into tears Robinson said madam Madam, I am the poor Unhappy man who wrote that him many years ago, and I would give a thousand words If I had them to enjoy the feelings I had then and that incident brought Robert Robinson back to the cross Where the blood was shed for sinners.

Like Saul the nameless woman. Each one of us and for him and that turned his life around. I Want to ask you a simple question. Where are you today? In your life in your journey in your walk with the Lord.

Do you understand how much he loves you he cares about you. He loved me and gave himself for me. Not only for my redemption No, but also for my failures and struggles till the end of the journey. He loved me.

Not because I loved him or went after him. No, he came after me. What great love. What must be our response. How do you respond to Love like this. I was reading a story that touched my heart a real story a Protestant Bishop of Michigan once told this Real story that he knew firsthand.

Conversion Through a Christian Witness

It was about a young talented actress. And one day she was passing along the street of a large city seeing a pale sick girl lying upon a couch or a sofa just within the half Open door of a beautiful dwelling.

She was walking by and so through the open door this young sick Without girl lying there this actress. She thought well, let me go and maybe say some kind words and I kind of Encourage you and then help her emotion a little bit.

So she went to talk to her, but you know what happened? The sick girl was a devouted Christian girl. She knew the Lord Jesus Christ her words her patience her submission and heaven lit countenance. So demonstrated the spirit of her faith that actress who went to Console her was so deeply convicted of her shallowness Lack of reality.

She fell under conviction. She surrendered her life to the Lord. Jesus Christ was thoroughly converted. She then this actress told her father the leader of the theater troupe of Her conversion and of her desire to abandon the stage or acting business.

Saying that she could not live a consistent Christian life and follow the life of an actress. Her father was astonished Beyond measure and told his daughter that the living would be lost to them and their business would be ruined.

So, please don't give up Loving your father dearly she was shaken somewhat in her purpose and Partially consented to fill the published engagement to be met in a few days now listen close. She was a star of the troupe the main leading actress so to say.

Every preparation was made for the play in which she was to appear. The evening came and the father rejoiced that he had won Back his daughter and that their living was not to be lost. The hour arrived a large audience had assembled the curtain rose and the young actress stepped forward.

The Hymn “My Jesus, I Love Thee” as a Public Testimony

I met the applause of the multitude in the mist of breathless silence of the audience with their eyes glowing with God's grace she Repeated these words. Written by William Featherstone. My Jesus, I love thee.

I know Thou art mine for thee all the follies of Sin, I resign My gracious Redeemer my Savior art thou if ever I loved thee my Jesus tis now. I Love thee because thou hast first loved me and purchased my pardon on Calvary Street.

I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow if ever I love thee my Jesus tis now. I Love thee in life. I love thee in death and praise thee as long as thou Lenders me breath and say when the death do lies call on my brow if ever I Love thee my Jesus tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight I Will ever adore thee in heaven so bright. I Will sing with the glittering crown on my brow if ever I loved thee my Jesus tis now. For thee for you all all the follies of sin.

I Resign. He loved me and gave himself for me. It is no longer I the lips but Christ.

Well, this is the road to reality the Ministry of Gospel for Asia. And you've been listening to KP O 'Hanlon the founder and director of Gospel for Asia. He's been underscoring the love of God. As we leave you today again I want to encourage you to join us for this year's renewing your passion conference.

Not only will we hear from leaders from the mission field and KP himself. But we'll spend a great deal of time in worship and prayer. Now there are advantages to registering and making accommodations early.

So that's why we want to give you these dates now to mark on your calendar. It's in Dallas, Texas, July 11th through the 13th. And we have the information you need and how to register at win Asia org again the web address Win Asia dot o RG or call toll-free.

The number you can reach us and ask any questions you have about the conference is eight six six win Asia again. Eight six six win Asia the road to reality with KP O 'Hanlon brought to you by Gospel for Asia.

We'll see you next week at the same time when we'll again turn to God's Word for encouragement.