AGAPE – Love Without End
“I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:35-40
We are used to temporary. “All good things must come to an…end.” Those are common words because they reflect our experience—even our experience of love. Conflicts end friendships. Through distance and time people drift apart. And even if the love goes the distance, death stands at the end.
Or does it? Jesus speaks of a never-ending relationship. He will never lose or drive away his beloved people. And death certainly cannot separate us from him! Jesus has conquered death. He has power and authority over death. Listen, and recognize the boldness of Jesus’ words, words he repeats: “I will raise them up at the last day.” Only Jesus can say those words. He does so with the full power and authority of the Father behind him. Our God is eternal. He loved us before the world began and he will love us into eternity. He has given us eternal life. He will raise us up at the last day—and the last day will be only the beginning.
“As I look for the seeds the king has sown to burst up from their graves.” Andrew Peterson “His Heart Beats”
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Our God loves us now, and he will love us in heaven, and that love will never fail. What a blessing it is that even in this life we share in something that even heaven will not improve or replace: love.
Isaiah 65:17-25 How can we understand heaven when all we know is this life? God uses this life as a contrast, and every struggle, pain, need and conflict is gone. What an amazing gift! He loves us so much!
Preacher: Pete Panitzke
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