March 26, 2023

The Love of God

Preacher:
Passage: 1 John 4:7-21
Service Type:

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