God is Love

Introduction

Were currnetly in a series where were rediscovering Who God is! Why? I think there are two main purposes to the whole bible one is to reintroduce us to who God is and its revealed through the storys and laws of the bible because humans are being who were designed to relfect him but the only we we reflect light probably is if we see the light accurely. Second, purpose is to reveal the restoration of all things.

Today were going to focus on Love, its actually very interseting to see how much attention we give to the theme of love as a culture. I dont want to make emenys tonight but i dont understand how people love the bachlor and love is blind and all these love shows now of netflexs. Faith loves them but i cant watch them. I Love my scienfic fiction or drama but to each there own. I bring them up bvecuase i feel there every shallow and depth.

Transition

The greatest love story is the bible, How God demonstrates his love to humanity and this drama isnt a thing of the past but were actually partaking in it right now.

What is Love

Defination

Dictionary of Bible Themes (8292 love)

A caring commitment, in which affection and delight are shown to others, which is grounded in the nature of God himself and its both a emotion and action.

1 John 4:7–8 NIV

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John lays the foundations of love and its a person Its God. God doesnt just love he is love. That why Gods love is everlasting and eternal. It existed beofre time.

Paul gives us a detailed description of love.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Paul desribes Love set of emotions and actions towards God and others. But Reember This isnt Paul telling us how to love another but its also a insight on the nature of God because God is Love. I want us to reread this passage and repleace Love with God. It Paints a beauitful mosiac of Gods Charcter.

Transition

My question to you is this challenge the image of God in your imagination?

Love is a Gift

If Love existed before time and God characteristics existed beofre time then all of Gods actions towards us are a gift of love.

God Creates a beauitful and abudent world for humans before humans existed. He didnt create the World good and beauitful because humans did something Good or they earned. It did it because he loved humans.

God delievers isreal, and take them to the promise land. Watch how he desribes his gift of love?

Dec 7:7-8

The New International Version Chapter 7

The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Ultimate demonstartion of God love was reveal through jesus christ. Not only his life teachings and ministry but through his dealth on the cross. Pauls summazies His love for us in this way.

Romans 5:8 NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God had affection and care towards you even when you were living in sin.

Transition

This is the foundation for how we need to understand Gods love that its outflow of his nature and it demands a responds but its not caused by a response.

Love People

1 John 4:19 NIV

We love because he first loved us.

Our respond is secondary to his inatation of Love

Were Called to Love God

Mark 12:30 NIV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Were Called to Love one another

John 13:34–35 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Were Called to Love our emenys

Matthew 5:43–48 NIV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

C.s Lewis

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”

Application

Pray and Ask God to fill us with his love

2. Pray and bless our emenies