Loving Others

Sermon Title: “Love Like God Loves”

Big Idea

The Love of God Should help us love others

1. God Is the Source of Love (vv. 7–8)

Key Point: Real love starts with God, not us.

“Love comes from God”

“God is love” doesn’t just mean He has love—He is love.

Explain it simply:

We don’t invent love—we receive it from God.

Without God, we misunderstand what love really is.

Illustration idea:

Like a phone needs Wi-Fi to work fully, we need God to truly love others.

Cross Reference:

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” — every good gift (including love) comes from God.

Ask them:

Where do people your age usually look for love?

2. Gods Love in Jesus (vv. 9–10)

Key Point: Love is shown through action, not just words.

God sent His Son so we could live.

Jesus took our place—that’s real love.

Explain it simply:

Love isn’t just saying “I care”—it’s doing something about it.

God didn’t wait for us to be perfect.

Cross References:

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” — God gave His Son.

Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.

Illustration idea:

Someone taking the blame for something you did—that’s a glimpse of what Jesus did.

3. We Are Called to Love Others (v. 11)

Key Point: If God loved us like that, we should love others the same way.

“We also ought to love one another”

Explain it simply:

This includes:

Friends

Family

People who annoy you

People who are left out

Practical examples for Jr High:

Sitting with someone new at lunch

Standing up for someone being picked on

Forgiving someone who hurt you

Cross Reference:

John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” — people will know we follow Jesus by our love.

4. Loving Others Shows God to the World (v. 12)

Key Point: When we love people, they can “see” God through us.

Even though we can’t see God physically, people can experience Him through us.

Explain it simply:

You might be the only “Bible” someone ever sees.

Illustration idea:

Like a mirror reflects light—our lives reflect God’s love.

5. Application: Love Means Inviting Others to Jesus

Key Point: One of the most loving things you can do is help someone know Jesus.

Why this matters:

If Jesus is life, hope, and forgiveness… keeping Him to yourself isn’t loving.

Make it practical for Jr High:

Invite a friend to youth group

Share your story (even simply: “Jesus changed me”)

Pray for friends who don’t know Him

Be bold but kind

Cross References:

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” — go and make disciples

2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” — we are Christ’s ambassadors

Simple challenge:

Think of 1–2 friends who don’t follow Jesus.

Ask: “What’s one way I can show them God’s love this week?”

Closing Thought

God loved you first.

Now you get to pass that love on.

And the greatest love you can show is pointing someone to Jesus.