Depths of Love Divine Study 3 Emptied Himself of all But love

<p>A five part study on the theme of salvation inspired by Charles Wesley's hymn <em>And Can it Be</em></p> <p align="center"><strong>Study 3: Emptied himself of all but love</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong><span style= "font-size: 10pt;">Click <span style= "text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><span style= "color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;"><a style= "color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" title= "Depths of Love divine materials" href= "https://stteves10.libsyn.com/depths-of-love-divine" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a></span></span> for links to full study booklet, audio & video.</span>  </strong></p> <p><strong>Opening Prayer</strong></p> <p><em>Almighty God, our Father,</em></p> <p><em>as we reflect upon the words of Scripture,</em></p> <p><em>we pray that you will grant us the gift of the Holy Spirit,</em></p> <p><em>so that we may learn the truth that is written there,</em></p> <p><em>and be able to live by that truth day by day,</em></p> <p><em>for Jesus’ sake. Amen.</em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><strong>Verse 3</strong></p> <p>He left his father’s throne above,</p> <p>(so free, so infinite his grace!)</p> <p>emptied himself of all but love,</p> <p>and bled for Adam’s helpless race.</p> <p>‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;</p> <p>for, O my God, it found out <em>me.</em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><strong>He left his father’s throne above</strong></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p>Just as startling as the idea that the immortal Son of God would die by crucifixion is the idea that the eternal Word of God would become a human being.  It seems that everything God does surprises us!</p> <p> </p> <p>The following verses from John Chapter 1 are a statement of the Church’s faith (NRSV):</p> <p> </p> <p>In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being through him was life, and the li