Examine what kind of love we are to have for one another and the results of showing or not showing that love.
Text: 1 John
4:7-12.
Introduction.
1. John is often called the apostle of love.
2. So much of his writing focuses on this topic.
3. Yet, all too often, we don't heed his teachings.
4. In the fourth chapter of First John, the apostle tells us a great deal about the kind of love that we are to have for one another.
a. What it means to love one another.
b. The results of loving one another.
c. The consequences of not loving one another.
Body.
I. What does it mean to love one another?
A. The love which we are to have for one another is the same as the love God has for us
(vv. 9-11).
B. What are some characteristics of God's love?
1. Self-sacrificing.
b. Christ was willing to give up heaven (Philippians
2:5-8).
c. What are we willing to sacrifice?
1) Time.
2) Money.
2. God's love is true.
c. Do we show our love by our actions (John
14:15).
3. Unconditional.
a. God loves the unlovable (Romans
5:6-8).
b. Does not mean that He loves everyone's actions or that He will unconditionally save all.
c. God loves everyone's soul (1 Timothy
2:4).
d. Do we love the unlovable?
II. The result of loving one another.
A. God's love is perfected in us (v.
12).
1. That which is perfect has been brought to maturity.
2. As our love for man grows, so does our love for God.
3. When this love is perfected, we can have boldness (v.
17).
B. God dwells in us. (v.
12).
1. By walking in His ways, He abides in us (1 John
1:7).
2. His teachings abide in us (John
15:1-7).
3. God dwells in us if we love one another.
C. Pass from death to live (1 John
3:14).
D. The world will know that we are Christ's followers (John
13:34-35).
III. What are the consequences of not loving one another?
A. We are not born of God (v.
7).
B. We don't know God (v.
8)
C. His love is not perfected.
D. World will not know we are Christ's followers.
E. We are found to be murderers (1 John
3:15).
Conclusion.
1. Let us love one another.
2. Have you been exhibiting that love?
3. Have you shown your love for God by obeying Him?
-- Ralph Price, 2001 -- |
