Real Love pt 1

1 John 4:1-17

two truths and a lie

manipulation is not real love

if you have to lie about yourself to get love, that’s not real love.

1) Real love is God and comes from God

God doesn’t love because you’re so loving….He loves, and everything He does is an act of love, because it is in His nature. he is life.

—> you are what you live….this is why jesus became incarnate and died.

illus: instagram vs reality pics

“The real meaning of love and the real source of life are discerned only in the cross” - DA CARSON

—> life is result of love…think about babies

KNOW GOD and Love is conceived in you

Knowing God is intimate experience

2) Real love is trustworthy

…so we embody it

proper response to someone trustworthy is to listen and respond.

real love isn’t earned, but it is preserved (obedience)

Christ is love incarnate, embodied. Love and trust must be embodied, incarnate. Christian faith is an incarnate faith.

as long as the enemy keeps your faith in the imaginative/disembodied realm, you wont incarnate the life of Christ and it loses it’s power.

Declare or Acknowledge.

…talk is cheap, but actions acknowledge something.

…this word is used within the context of making a covenant or acting in a covenant way… it has connotations of pledging a promise. this is ceromonial language. Has implication for swearing public allegiance in baptism.

baptism is an ceremonial act of declaration.

ceremony to commence a life of consecration to ONE LORD

(baptism next end of month)

becoming a citizen of the new nation…swearing your allegiance to Jesus and the Kingdom of God.

Luke 12:8 — “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.”

Romans 10:9–10 “9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

‌oughts) + Action (embodied trust) = Saving Faith according to Paul.

Romans 10:8–10 (CSB) - 9If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

Righteous & Deliverance

3) Real love grows

more complete, more perfect, more full.

fully develop…

be, being filled with Holy Spirit.

develop it by living (loving) like Jesus.

—> hospitable to others

—> caring presence ( pastoral care is being present and caring…“I’m your brother/sister, i love you, i’m here in the name of the Lord.”)

illus: I have same muscles as Pat Mahomes…his are just more developed.

we

Have you received the infinite love of God?

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PRACTICING THE WAY

As disciples of Jesus, we know our allegiance to Him as King is expressed in our daily practice. We are not pursuing perfection but want to practice our faith each day. These practices will point you toward spiritual formation as an apprentice (disciple) to Jesus.

(1) Start the Bible Recap reading plan.

(2) Recite this prayer/liturgy daily:

Holy Father, there is nothing i have that you have not given me. All i have and am belong to you, bought with the blood of Jesus. To spend everything on myself, and to give without sacrifice, is the way of the world that You cannot abide. But generosity is the way of those who call Christ their Lord; who love Him with free hearts and serve Him with renewed minds. Who withstand the delusion of riches that chokes the word; Whose hearts are in your kingdom and not in the system of the world. I am determined to increase in generosity until it can be said that there is no needy person among us. I am determined to be trustworthy with such a little thing as money that You may trust me with true riches. Above all, I am determined to be generous because You, Father, are generous. It is the delight of Your daughters and sons to share Your traits, and to show what You are like to all the world. Amen.

(3) Talk it Over (with friends, a spouse, or your Group)

Read 1 John 4:1-17.‌ Sunday’s message was about the real love of God. What was one key take-away for you from the message or this passage?

The word “KNOW” in verses 7 & 8 refer to a first hand experience kind of understanding. What are somethings you understand about God because you have experienced them?

What are some characteristics of people that you would consider trustworthy? How do those relate to the characteristics of God?

Paul tells us in Romans 10:9-10 that we must agree intellectually to inherit righteousness and must declare with action our trust in Jesus as LORD to experience the deliverance or salvation God longs to bring to us. What comes to mind when you hear the words “righteousness and deliverance”? Are those in accord with your understanding of God’s saving work through the Holy Spirit in our life?

Developing and growing in God’s love doesn’t happen without intentional actions. What are some things we can do to develop in God’s love?