"The Father's Love

February 2, 2025 FBC Baxley

am service

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Welcome radio and online guests…

*It’s ok however you’ve entered, we are all here seeking God’s will and way and plan.

Some rescued, redeemed, saved….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

“The Father’s Love”

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18; John 3:16

I John 3:16-18

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 

17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

-Pray

**SBC Focus on Christian Unity

Three Points:

 The Manifestation of the Father’s Love

2.  The Measure of the Father’s Love

3. The Mandate of the Father’s Love

Introduction:

This weekend a tragic event unfolded when a medical transport jet carrying a child patient, her mother, and four others crashed in Philadelphia, resulting in the loss of all on board. 

This heartbreaking incident serves as a strong reminder of just how fragile life is and the profound love that compels individuals to risk their lives for others.

The medical team aboard that flight exemplified a sacrificial love, dedicating themselves to the well-being of another, even at great personal cost. 

This mirrors, in a finite way, the infinite and sacrificial love that our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us.

The Father’s love is not a passive, distant affection but an active, sacrificial, and life-transforming reality. 

In 1 John 3:16-18 and John 3:16, we see a clear and compelling picture of this divine love.

I. The Manifestation of the Father's Love (1 John 3:16)

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us."

The Father’s love is not an abstract concept but a reality made visible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

The Greek word for “laid down” is ἔθηκεν (ethēken), which means “to place, to set, to deliberately give up.” 

This emphasizes to us that Jesus did not simply die as a victim of fate but made a conscious choice to give His life for us.

A. It Was a Voluntary Sacrifice

Jesus was not forced to die; He willingly laid down His life (John 10:18).

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

The love of the Father was made manifest in this intentional sacrifice.

B. It Was a Vicarious Sacrifice

The word “for us” in Greek is ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν (hyper hēmōn), meaning “on behalf of” or “in place of.”

Jesus took our place on the cross, bearing the wrath of God that we deserved.

C. It Was a Victorious Sacrifice

His sacrifice was not the end but the beginning of victory over sin and death (1 Cor. 15:55-57).

55 “O death, where is your victory?

    O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Father’s love is not just demonstrated in Christ’s death, but in His resurrection, offering us eternal life.

Because of this manifestation of love, we have assurance that we are deeply valued by the Father.

II. The Measure of the Father's Love (John 3:16)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

This verse is one of the most well-known in Scripture, yet its depth is often overlooked. 

The phrase "so loved" comes from the Greek οὕτως ἠγάπησεν (houtōs ēgapēsen), emphasizing the intensity, manner, and magnitude of God's love.

A. It Is an Unfathomable Love

The word for love here is ἀγάπη (agapē)—a divine, selfless, unconditional love.

This is a love that cannot be earned but is freely given.

It Is an Unmatched Love!

The Father’s love was expressed through the giving of His only begotten Son (μονογενής, monogenēs), meaning one-of-a-kind, unique, or of the same essence as the Father.

No other act of love in history can compare to this.

B. It Is an Unlimited Love

The word "world" (κόσμος, kosmos) doesn’t just refer to a specific group, but to all of humanity.

This means God's love is available to every person, regardless of race, background, or sinfulness.

This immeasurable love was demonstrated through Christ so that we might not perish but have everlasting life.

III. The Mandate of the Father’s Love (1 John 3:16-18)

"We also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren… let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."

**The Father’s love not only saves us but calls us to action. 

The Greek word for “ought” is ὀφείλομεν (opheilomen), meaning “to owe a debt” or “to be morally bound.” 

Because we have received such great love, we are now obligated to love others in the same way.

A. A Call to Selflessness

Loving others means laying down our own desires, pride, and comforts to serve them.

Jesus taught that the greatest love is to lay down one’s life for a friend (John 15:13).

B. A Call to Sincerity

The phrase “not in word or in tongue” means that love must be more than lip service.

The Greek word for “deed” is ἔργον (ergon), meaning an active work or labor.

True love is proven by action, not just by words.

C. A Call to Sacrificial Service

Love often requires giving of our time, resources, and even our lives.

Jesus did not just say, “I love you” from heaven—He came down and showed His love.

True love reflects the Father’s love by being tangible and sacrificial.

Life Applications:

-Embrace the Sacrifice

Take time to reflect on what it cost the Father to send His Son and let that deepen your love for Him.

Do not take His love for granted; live in gratitude and devotion.

-Express Love Through Actions

Find practical ways to show love to your family, church, and community.

Move beyond words—serve others through generosity, kindness, and humility.

-Extend Grace and Compassion

Just as God’s love is unconditional, we must extend grace even to those who do not deserve it.

Ask yourself: Who needs to experience God’s love through me today?

Conclusion:

The Father’s love is not just a theological concept—it is real, sacrificial, and life-changing. 

It has been manifested in Christ’s sacrifice, measured in its infinite depth, and mandated for us to display toward others.

Let’s not just admire God’s love from a distance but live it out daily, reflecting His heart to a broken world.

PRAY

Invitation

“Are you born again?”

“Have you surrendered/repented to Jesus?