Advent: Love

Advent 2023: Love

1 John 4:7-16.

ETS: John taught that the way one loves provided evidence for their faith and experience of God.

ESS: We should love people because people have been loved by God.

OSS: [Ethical] {I want the hearers to extend the love of God as they have experienced the love of God.}

PQ:

What is evident in this passage?

UW: Facts

Intro.:

TS: Let us examine a few facts in this passage.

Notice the tone with which Paul is writing to these believers: he calls them “beloved” or “dear friends” twice in this short passage (v. 7 and v. 11)

Our love is evidence of our knowledge of God. [vv. 7-8]

God is the source of love.

Thus, as many as have known God in a relational sense have experienced His love. Our love, then, is evidence of our relationship with God.

God’s love is evidenced fully in Jesus Christ. [vv. 9-11]

God demonstrated His love in Christ Jesus, fully. Thus, if you want to know God’s love, you must know Jesus.

Additionally, if you have experienced God’s love through Jesus, you ought to extend God’s love.

Our love is evidence of God’s presence in us. [vv. 12-16]

Our love in evidence of God’s Spirit dwelling within us.

Reflective Questions:

[1] How does the way you love reflect your knowledge of God? (i.e., does it support that you have an intimate relationship with God or a distant relationship with God?)

[2] During this season, what can you do to draw closer to God so that you may know Him and His love more intimately?

Consulted Resources:

[1] John R. W. Stott, The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 19, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 166.

[2] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 13 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 164.

[3] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 714.

[4] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 107–108.

[5] Robert W. Yarbrough, “1 John,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1998.