1 John 3_11_18 Sonship Proven by Love

1 John 3:11-18“Sonship Proven By Love”

In the spring of 1965 Hal David and Burt Bacharach wrote a song made popular by Jackie Shannon, which hit the number 7 spot on the hot 100 billboard. It’s title “what the world needs now is love.”

You know the opening verse; “what the world needs no is love, sweet love, its the only thing that there’s just to little of.

A wonderful thing love is, love is the foundation of salvation. We recently looked at righteousness as a test of Sonship and today will look at LOVE as a test of Sonship.

CPS: In order to know for certain that you are a child of God the love of God must be poured into your heart, this is apparent by your love for your fellow Christians and carried out by your actions.

I. If you have God’s love you have God’s life. vs. 11-16

In order to know that you are a child of God the love of God must be poured out into your heart. This love knows no cost and proved evident in your love for the breathern. We know this love because we have experienced this love through forgiveness of our sins demonstrated at Calvary.

A. Love 5x (eros)(phileo)(agapeo)

B. Life 4x (zoe x 2) (psyche)

ILL: A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on “The Love of God.” As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.

Laying down one’s life is the highest possible expression of Love (John 15:13)

Transition Sentence: Those who do not show sacrificial love, hate.

II. If you have God’s love you have God’s actions. vs. 17-18

With the love of God poured out into your heart you will act upon that love toward the breathern. A Christian sees his possessions as a gift of God and when he sees another Christian in need he/they will act in love to take care of that need. Just to say you love your brother means very little, does your actions prove this sacrificial love?

“Love the breathern not the possessions”

ILL: We don't turn a blind eye to a fellow believer in need, Jesus didn't say “No I value my life over yours, He meet the Spiritual Needs of the Brethern. In the wilderness, God saw the need the Israelites had for food, he met that need, manna and quail.

Conclusion: How can you know that you are a Child of God? If you have sacrificial love in your heart for fellow believers. Let your actions speak volumes of the Love which God has poured out into your heart!