Two Kinds of Love
God has two kinds of love: a general love for all sinners and a special love for His children, which is experienced by believers who have received Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the two kinds of love that God has: a general love for all sinners and a special love for His children. He explains that while anyone can embrace God's general love through repentance, His exceptional love is reserved for those who are part of His family. Wilkerson highlights that God's chosen people, Israel, were once the sole recipients of this special love, but now, through Jesus, all believers are included as His beloved children. He encourages listeners to recognize their value in God's eyes and to understand that they are now part of a royal priesthood, cherished and loved by the Father.
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The Father has two kinds of love: a general love for all sinners and a special love for all who are in His family. God's general love for mankind can be embraced by anyone who comes to Him in repentance. But God's heart is also filled with another kind of love--a distinctive, exceptional love for His children!
God has always had a chosen people for Himself upon whom He bestowed His great love. Israel once was the sole object for this special love:
"For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you ... [He] has brought you out with a mighty hand ..." (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
God directed these words to Israel. Yet, if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord--if you have been adopted into God's family and He is your loving Father--you too must come to grips with how special you are to Him! You are the recipient of God's extraordinary love and here are His words to you:
"You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2: 9-10).
At one time you were not an object of His special love, but now you are! You have been reconciled to the Father and He loves you deeply--right now, at this very moment!
Sermon Outline
- God's Two Kinds of Love
- God's Special Love for Israel
- God's Special Love for Believers
- Chosen generation
- Royal priesthood
- Holy nation
Key Quotes
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” — David Wilkerson
“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” — David Wilkerson
“You have been reconciled to the Father and He loves you deeply--right now, at this very moment!” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize that God's special love is bestowed upon His children and that you are a recipient of this love if you have received Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
- Understand that God's special love is distinctive and exceptional, making you a holy and special treasure to Him.
- Experience God's special love by being reconciled to the Father and living in His marvelous light.