LOVE

SERMON SERIES: LOVE LIKE THIS

💛 Week 1: “The God Who Is Love”

Text: 1 John 4:7–12

Theme: Understanding the origin and definition of true love through God’s character.

📖 Introduction:

In our culture, love is often misrepresented as mere emotion, chemistry, or conditional affection. But the Bible gives us a powerful and transformative truth: God is love. This doesn’t just mean God shows love, but that love is His very nature. Understanding love begins with understanding God.

🧠 Exposition:

Love originates with God (v. 7)

True love begins with God, not human feelings.

God’s love is the source of all genuine love.

We love others best when we stay connected to Him.

Love is a fruit of our spiritual rebirth.

Loving others reflects our relationship with God.

Our ability to love grows through knowing Him.

Example: Think of a power strip—if it’s not plugged into the wall, nothing connected to it will work. In the same way, if we’re not plugged into God, our love for others lacks power and purpose.

God’s Nature is Love (v. 8)

Love is not just what God does, it’s who He is.

Every act of God is motivated by love.

God’s justice, mercy, and grace flow from His love.

If we claim to know Him, we must reflect His love.

Failure to love is evidence of spiritual disconnection.

True intimacy with God transforms how we love others.

Example: Imagine a stained-glass window—when the sun shines through it, the beauty is visible. Without light, it’s dull. God’s love shines through us to reveal His nature to the world.

God’s Love is Demonstrated (vv. 9–10)

Love is action: God sent His Son.

Jesus’ death was intentional and sacrificial.

Love acts even when undeserved.

It costs something—God gave His only Son.

God didn’t wait for us to change first.

This is the gold standard for Christian love.

Example: Think of a firefighter running into a burning building to save someone who ignored all the fire alarms. That’s the kind of selfless love God showed us in Christ.

God’s Love Calls Us to Love Others (vv. 11–12)

We love because He first loved us.

God’s love compels us to respond by loving others.

Love reveals God’s presence in our lives.

The invisible God becomes visible through our love.

Love is a sign of spiritual maturity.

Our community becomes a testimony of divine love.

Game Idea: “Love Chain Challenge” – Have everyone write down one way they can show love this week. Tape the papers together to form a chain and display it in your space. Each link represents God’s love in action.

✨ Challenge:

Memorize 1 John 4:7–8. Pray and ask God to show you one way to reflect His love in a specific relationship this week.

🧱 Week 2: “Love One Another”

Text: John 13:34–35

Theme: Love is the identifying trait of every true disciple of Jesus.

📖 Introduction:

Imagine someone looking for proof that you’re a follower of Jesus. What would they see? According to Jesus, the mark of His followers is not knowledge, power, or even good behavior—it is love for one another.

🫠 Exposition:

A New Commandment (v. 34a)

Jesus sets a new foundation: love modeled by Him.

Not just “love your neighbor,” but “love like Me.”

This love is proactive, not reactive.

It requires intentionality and humility.

It’s love in action, not just feelings.

The bar is raised: love sacrificially.

Example: A youth group once made sandwiches every week for the homeless. One teen kept doing it, even when the others stopped, because he said, “Jesus wouldn’t stop loving them—why should I?”

Love Like Jesus (v. 34b)

Jesus washed feet and forgave betrayers.

He loved despite rejection and pain.

Love like Jesus means loving the unlovable.

It costs us comfort and pride.

This love shows mercy and grace.

It embraces others even in disagreement.

Example: Think of a foster parent who welcomes a child with trauma. It’s not always easy, but it’s the kind of Christlike, relentless love Jesus modeled.

Our Love is Our Witness (v. 35)

Love is the proof of discipleship.

Without love, our message falls flat.

A loving church is a powerful testimony.

Unity and service speak louder than sermons.

The world watches how we treat each other.

Love turns heads and opens hearts.

Game Idea: “Secret Servant” – Everyone draws a name and must secretly bless that person during the week through notes, acts of service, or prayer.

✨ Challenge:

Write down 3 people you can love practically this week. Pray for them and find ways to serve, encourage, or bless them.

🔥 Week 3: “Love Your Enemies”

Text: Matthew 5:43–48

Theme: Jesus calls us to a radical kind of love—even for our enemies.

📖 Introduction:

Loving friends is easy. Loving enemies? That feels impossible. But Jesus redefines love as something that reaches even those who hurt, hate, or oppose us. This love isn’t natural—it’s supernatural.

🧠 Exposition:

Old Command vs. Jesus’ Call (v. 43–44)

The old law: love your neighbor, hate your enemy.

Jesus flips the script—love your enemies.

Pray for those who persecute you.

Love is shown in how we treat the hardest people.

This isn’t about feeling but obedience.

Example: Corrie ten Boom forgave a Nazi guard who had abused her sister. Her story is a powerful picture of supernatural love.

Reflecting Our Father (v. 45)

God loves the good and the evil.

Sun and rain fall on everyone—God’s grace is universal.

We show we are His children when we love like Him.

Loving enemies is evidence of spiritual maturity.

Example: A missionary was beaten by those he served. He later returned and continued to serve them out of love. Over time, some of his persecutors came to Christ.

Radical Difference (v. 46–47)

If we only love who loves us, we’re no different.

Even unbelievers do that.

Christian love stands out by who it includes.

Real love reaches across barriers.

Game Idea: “Grace Swap” – Have listeners write one act of kindness they can do for someone they don’t get along with. Put them in a jar and challenge each other to complete one anonymously.

✨ Challenge:

Choose one person you struggle with. Pray for them every day this week and find a way to bless or encourage them.

💘 Week 4: “Love Without Conditions”

Text: Luke 15:11–24

Theme: God’s love never gives up, never runs out, and never depends on our performance.

📖 Introduction:

Conditional love is what we’re used to—love that depends on what we do or how we behave. But Jesus tells a story of a Father whose love breaks all conditions.

🧠 Exposition:

The Son’s Rebellion (vv. 11–16)

He took the inheritance early—disrespectful.

Squandered everything in reckless living.

Ended up broken, alone, and feeding pigs.

Example: Picture a teen who runs away and burns every bridge. No calls, no texts. Yet their parent leaves a light on every night, hoping they’ll return.

The Son’s Return (vv. 17–20)

He came to his senses.

Planned to earn his way back as a servant.

But the Father ran to him.

Love doesn’t wait—it welcomes.

Example: A pastor shared a story of someone who walked into church high, ashamed, expecting judgment. Instead, people hugged him, welcomed him, and he found Jesus that day.

The Father’s Response (vv. 21–24)

No punishment—only grace.

Robe, ring, feast—restoration.

He didn’t bring up the past.

This is how God loves us.

Game Idea: 🧠

2. “Endurance Trivia: Love in the Bible”

Objective: Test knowledge of biblical stories that show enduring love, building both fun and biblical literacy.

✨ Challenge:

Take time to thank God for His unconditional love. Share this story with someone who feels too far gone.

🤝 Week 5: “Love in Action”

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1–7

Theme: Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s what we do.

📖 Introduction:

We often hear 1 Corinthians 13 at weddings, but Paul wasn’t writing to a couple—he was writing to a divided, messy church. Love in action is the only way the church can thrive.

🧠 Exposition:

Without Love, We’re Nothing (vv. 1–3)

Gifts without love are noise.

Sacrifice without love is empty.

Love is the measure of everything.

Example: Think of a beautiful violin solo played without emotion—it may be technically perfect, but it won’t move anyone. Our spiritual gifts are the same—meaningless without love.

What Love Looks Like (vv. 4–7)

Patient, kind, not envious or boastful.

Doesn’t insist on its own way.

Rejoices in truth, not wrongdoing.

Bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.

Example: A woman in a small group chose to serve another member who constantly complained. Week after week, she brought her meals, prayed with her, and over time, their bond became strong. That’s love in action. Game Idea: “Love Charades” – Break into teams and act out one of the phrases from 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (like “patient” or “kind”). Others guess. It’s fun, but also helps internalize the message.

✨ Challenge:

Pick one phrase from 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 and practice it every day this week.