The Source Of Love

Introduction - We have had a great time this evening and the Lord has allowed to be here this day to celebrate what we call Valentines Day to show our love for one another.

And the meal has been wonderful. I pray you have enjoyed the few games that we have had and especially the time of fellowship with each other.

I want us to consider a passage of Scripture that was mentioned not too long ago, but was given by testimony of the 8 year old girl as her favorite verse who stepped into eternity— having contracted Malaria.

The missionary stated that this little girls favorite verse was 1 John 4:10.

Now this was again emphasized as we prayed for the family—in Malawi Africa dealing with this loss. And brother Kevin was so kind as to read us this verse.

I think this evening, as we finish this time out, it would be fitting for us to realize— the source of our love— our ability to even love, is declared in that small epistle of John.

Look with me as we read about this in 1 John 4:7–11 “7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

This is the high and holy call of every Christian, to exhibit godly love.

Let’s Pray

I want us to realize tonight that if we have a spouse, if we have friends, if we have family that we express love towards… I want you to understand that:

I. Real Love Is Of God

You might notice at the very first part of verse 7, the Bible says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;…”

That expression, ‘for love is of God’, tells us that the source of true love is from God.

It says in this passage as well, that God is love— this is true but God is also light, and the Bible tells us that God is Spirit— He is light, or you might say holy in nature, He is spirit, meaning he is not flesh and blood and limited by time and space as we are, but God is also said to be love.

“It has accurately been said that “love does not define God, but God defines love.” God is love and God is light; therefore, His love is a holy love, and His holiness is expressed in love” (Weirsbe)

Now it is interesting as we think oftentimes of many movies, especially that classic fairy tale type that deal with princesses and princes, it seems that mankind is searching for this higher love.

Friend, can I tell you that the highest form of love that we can experience has its source from God Himself.

You may be thankful for a lot of things in this life.

You and I can rejoice in our loving relationships, because God has given us the capacity to love.

What does the Bible mean by this?

A. Real Love Is Demonstrated by God

There are a great many folks here tonight who have wonderful long lasting relationships that are a result of love and that is a wonderful thing.

The ultimate pattern for this high water mark of love is demonstrated by God.

Notice verse 9. The Bible says in 1 John 4:9 “9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

The ultimate demonstration of love is ‘manifested’ as the Bible says here, displayed—-or demonstrated by God in that He sent His only begotten Son into this world.

Four books out of the Bible record this amazing period of time in which God became a man without ceasing to be God.

God that Father, sent God the Son to live on this earth, a perfect sinless life, and then die on a cruel Roman cross… Many never understand why He did so. They may understand the facts of what Christians believe, but why is this a display of love.

Listen to what the Word of God says in Romans 5:8 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

That uses a similar term and states that God commended or again demonstrated or displayed His love toward you and me, in this simple way, that while we have broken His law and deserve the wages of sin… Christ— who is the Son of God, died for us— to pay the debt for our sins…

Back in our passage it tells us, “that we might live through him…”

See this is no light thing… because our sins require the highest price a living soul could pay and that is eternal separation from God in a place called hell and eventually the lake of fire.

So think of it… we all are guilty… dead in tresspasses and sins. God’s judgment is that the wages of sin is death. But because of Jesus Christ, His love and God the Father’s love, Jesus Christ came into the world… was made sin for us… paid for the eternal punishment for our sin through His death and bloody sacrifice on that cross…

Now we cannot really fathom the depth of that love. But think of it…. Jesus took your punishment, your place… on the cross… All of the wrong you ever have done or will do… Jesus took the wrath of God on your behalf!

Not only is real love demonstrated by God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son, but notice,

B. Real Love Is Defined by God

In vese 10, we read these words, 1 John 4:10 “10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Most love that we display or even that the world reports is a this for that kind of love.

It is, I will love you and be good to you if you are good to me and do nice things for me.

That is not godly or holy love. That is impure love at best.

God defines love this way, “…not the we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be propitiation for our sins.”

That word propitiation means simply this, that because of God’s holiness, because of his perfection, justice—- righteous judgment is demanded.

God cannot wink at sin or look the other way. The debt that every man owes is real and must be dealt with. So how can God who love us, bring us into a loving relationship with Him and satisfy His holiness.

He sent His Son to pay every man’s sin debt.

This is real love defined… not that we loved God, but He choose us— to love us— He sent His Son to die for us.

How valuable is this love… well it cost God everything… it cost God His only begotten Son’s precious blood…

This declares how high God prizes you… it declares the depth of the love that God has for you.

2 Corinthians 8:9 states, “9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

C. Real Love Is Directed by God

Those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, have experienced the warm fire of this pure and holy love of God.

The Word of God tells us in Romans 5:5, “…that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost[His indwelling presence].. which is given unto us…[at the moment of Salvation and goes on to explain] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

What a powerful truth… God’s love is poured out in the heart of the believer and because of this, we have the command an ability to exercise this highest form of love toward one another.

A person who claims he knows God and is in union with Him [will] be personally affected by this relationship. (Wiersbe)

The example is given that “A large quantity of radioactive material was stolen from a hospital. When the hospital administrator notified the police, he said: “Please warn the thief that he is carrying death with him, and that the radioactive material cannot be successfully hidden. As long as he has it in his possession, it is affecting him disastrously!”

Can I ask this evening as we close, Friend, have you experience the real love of God?

Have you received the greatest gift any one could ever receive? That is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord… wrapped in the cords of God’s love.

See true love is of God… It is demonstrated by God… in the fact that Jesus Christ the Son of God came, lived, and died because of your sin… was buried and praise the Lord, three days later arose from the grave… He is alive and you too can be alive in Christ today.

True love is defined… it is not the this for that kind of love that the world markets today… but God loves us while we were yet sinners… and enemies with Him.. perhaps your here and are an enemy with God right now… God loves you friend and died for you paying for your sins… He chose to love you while you were unloveable.

And lastly, God’s love is directed… It is directed into the heart of those who receive Him. And we are told to love one another…. Friend.. you too can demonstrate godly love if you know Jesus as your Savior. Can I add one other wonderful thing about love…

1 John 4:17–18 “17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

Friend instead of having fear of the judgment of God.. why would you not want to experience the love of God and have no fear of judgment for your sins and experience torment?

Let’s pray