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  THE GREAT MYSTERY OF LOVE
  by J.R. Miller
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Summary: The sermon explores the great mystery of love as demonstrated
through Christ's sacrifice on the Cross, emphasizing its inexplicable
nature and individualized expression.

Topics: "Redemption", "Divine Love"
Scripture References: John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:4

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DESCRIPTION
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J.R. Miller emphasizes that the Cross represents the ultimate expression
of divine love, where Christ, embodying God's love, sacrificed Himself
for humanity's redemption. He acknowledges the mystery of this love,
which is beyond full human comprehension, yet is illustrated through the
profound act of Christ's sacrifice. Miller reflects on the imagery of
the Crucifixion, suggesting that while we may not fully grasp the depth
of this love, we can be assured of the redemption it offers to those who
humbly approach the Cross. He highlights the personal nature of Christ's
love, as expressed in Paul's words, making it clear that each individual
is cherished in the heart of the Redeemer. The sermon concludes with a
poignant reminder of Christ's suffering and the personal nature of His
sacrifice for each of us.

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CONTENT
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The Cross was the culmination of divine love. The life of Christ was all
love. He was the love of God come down to earth, interpreted in a human
life, so that all could understand it. At last, on the Cross, this love
found its highest expression, when the Son of God gave Himself up to
redeem sinners.

We can never understand the mystery of this love. We have hints of it--
but hints only, in some of the higher expressions of human love. The
immeasurable distance between the divine Redeemer and those He died to
redeem--makes the love forever inexplicable. Some artists have suggested
this mystery in their pictures of the Crucifixion.

One artist has left nearly everything to the thought of the beholder.
Where the form of the Savior is--there is only darkness, with some
traces, little more than suggestions, of light, which, as you study the
picture closely, reveal in dim, shadowy outline, the form of a Man on a
cross. The face appears in merest outline, and a ray of light shows the
figure of one kneeling at the foot of the cross. The picture suggests
two mysteries--the mystery of the love of Christ in its great sacrifice;
and then the mystery of redemption by which the blessing of that
sacrifice is communicated to penitent human souls that bow at the Cross.

The Cross is now the center of the world's hopes. We cannot understand
the mystery--but we are sure of the fact that there is redemption in the
blood of Christ. Paul puts the truth in a few great luminous words in
one of his letters, "The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself up
for me." This concentrating of the love of Christ and its great
sacrifice upon himself, as if Paul had been the only one Christ loved
and for whom He gave Himself up--shows us that we are all individualized
in the heart of the Redeemer, and in the meaning of His work. Each one
of us may say, "He loved me, and gave Himself up for me!"

"Under an eastern sky, Amid a rabble cry,

A man went forth to die--For me!

Thorn-crowned His blessed head,

Blood-stained His every tread,

Cross-laden, on He sped--For me!"

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jr-miller/the-great-mystery-of-love/
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