Introduction: The Bible tells us that "God is love." What does that mean? Because of popular culture, where we hear the word "love" mis-used multiple times every day, we are confused. True love is not a "feeling," but rather it is "an attitude of kindness and loyalty that embodies itself in action." The words "I love you" are meaningless until they are backed up by deeds.

God repeatedly shows His love to every human being on the face of the earth, in many ways. He shows love by giving us life, and sending rain and sunshine on both the just and the unjust. He shows love by speaking to every man, woman and child through conscience and creation. Because of His love, everyone in the world knows that there is a God, and that He is powerful, wise and kind.

"...what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made..." (Romans 1:19-20).

God's greatest act of love was sending His only Son to die on the cross, and to be the Savior of any human being who will believe in Him. On the day of Pentecost Peter preached the Gospel to all the Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for the great feast. The result is recorded in Acts 2:37-41: "When the people heard this (the Gospel), they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

These verses in Psalm 36 emphasize three facts about God's love:

I. It reaches to the heavens (Psalm 36:5).

"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."

A. I am reminded of the tower of Babel. The same phrase is used there:

Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:4).

B. Mankind has invented many religions to try to reach God on his own terms. None of these religions work.

C. But God's love reaches to the heavens. God made a plan of salvation. God wants men and women and children to know Him. He wants them to have salvation, and to have their lives renewed. Jesus wants to be our Savior. He didn't come grudgingly, but with joy. How wonderful that God made a plan of salvation for fallen mankind!

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).

II. It is priceless (Ps. 36:7).

"How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."

A. Rich people can buy a lot of things that poor people can't, but they can't buy the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money
Acts 8:19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Acts 8:20 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

B. Salvation is free to all who believe, but it isn't cheap. It cost Jesus His life. Peter wrote about the price of our redemption:

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (I Peter 1:18-19).

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17).

III. It is eternal. God continues His love eternally to all who know Him (Ps. 36:10).

"Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart."

We call this the doctrine of eternal security, or the perseverance of the saints, or "once saved always saved." Once you have been saved, you can never lose your salvation. God saved you in love, and God will lovingly keep you saved, too.

Jesus is our good Shepherd. In John 10:27-29 He said:

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."

He also said that He was determined to lose none of His sheep:

"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost" (Matt. 18:12-14).

Conclusion: The Apostle John wrote that "God is love." In Psalm 36 we are reminded that His love reaches to the heavens; His love is priceless; and His love is eternal. May God keep us rejoicing in His love, and may we learn to love others as He loves us. Amen.