The Love of God
Introduction
v16 – goes to the very heart of John’s experience
"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." [1 John 4:16]
A Christian has come to know, rely and dwell on the love of God
It is something so wonderful
Example of Bertram Russell
Fear is not the basis – far from it
The Christmas message is "Fear not"
Jesus also said "Fear not"
The essence of the gospel is love
Perfect love casts out fear
Song Lyrics: Love Divine
God loves us
John has come to know the love of God
How do we know that God loves us
Scripture reveals this to us – so we are in no doubt
Love is the most over used and least understood word
God has come ever so close to tell us He loves us
Knowing the love of God
God reveals His love in:
Scripture
An eternal love
A personal love
A costly/sacrifical love
The first sacrifice in the Garden of Eden
The last sacrifice at Calvary
A practical love
An unconditional love
There is nothing we can do to make God love us more / less
Through Jesus
Approachable
Compassion
Tenderness
He is the express image of God’s person
On the Cross
God demonstrates His love in the Christ died whilst we were sinners
He gave His only begotten Son
Our adoption
We can be called children of God
Romans 8
We are loved by Him
Believing/relying on the love of God
We have come to believe/rely on the love
Example of John Pattern
To accept a free gift
To believe/rely upon
We must rely upon God
Eph 3:18-19 – to rely fully upon God’s love
Eph 3:17 – To be firmly rooted and grounded in God’s love
Example of John Owen
The opinions of others can be like a shattered hall of mirrors
Example of Rapunzel
Where is out sense of worth?
At Calvary and the cross
The love of God towards us
Abiding/dwelling in the love of God
The abode of the Christian
A home is where you are comfortable, relaxed, valued, understood, loved, safe
This is our home – where we are meant to live
In a palatial heavenly dwelling of God
Personal example
We are not meant to as above
Personal example
Closing Remarks
What could be better than God’s love towards us?
God wants us to love Him
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" – Deut 6:5
Jesus word’s to Peter – John 21:15-17
Do not lose your first love like the church of Ephesus – Rev 2:4
Personal example #1
Personal example #2
We are to share we know is true and all that the Lord means to us
Closing Prayer