The Love of Our Life

Main Points: 1. God’s Love 2. God’s Child 3. God’s Family

Base verse for review:

Obey Him

Abide in Him

Love Him

The Love of Your Life

Enemies

Main Points: God’s Love, God’s children, and God’s Family.

What is the purpose of love?

World (Lust of flesh, eyes, and pride of life)

Main Point: See God’s love, receive it, and share it.

Antichrists (False Converts/False Teachers) - Confuse/Lie

Devil (Sins and controls the world)

What is love?

What made you fall in love with your husband/wife?

How do you show your love for your husband/wife?

How good is your husband/wife’s love for you?

Three Talking Points: 1. God’s Love 2. God’s Child 3. God’s Family

Our Passage:

1 John 4:7–12 ESV

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:7–13 ESV

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

1 John 4:7–21 ESV

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

What is the purpose of love?

Loving God involves = Relationship + Commitment + Affection

Worship him in Spirit and Truth.

What made you fall in love with your husband/wife?

God is Light ()

1. God’s Love

Walk in the light.

God is Love (, )

Love him and share his love.

Love’s Definition

The Greek word “agape” historically meant, “the quality of warm regard for and interest in another, esteem, affection, regard, love.” (BDAG) It’s an affection for and devotion to someone or something that shows value, esteem, or glory.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἀγάπη

the quality of warm regard for and interest in another, esteem, affection, regard, love

“the quality of warm regard for and interest in another, esteem, affection, regard, love” BDAG

Mn affection and devotion that show value and brings glory to someone or something.

In Christianity, and especially in John’s writings, agape’s meaning came from God’s love that was manifested in Jesus. He lived a selfless, perfect life. He loved us and laid down his life for us. This is God’s love. Unlike normal human love, God’s love has nothing to do with our loveliness. It’s totally undeserved by us.

Agape’s meaning in the early church came from understanding God’s love that was manifested in Jesus. How did he live? What did he do? What did he teach? This is love. God’s love has nothing to do with our loveliness. It’s totally undeserved.

1 John 3:16 ESV

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

Agape’s meaning in the early church came from understanding God’s love that was manifested in Jesus. How did he live? What did he do? What did he teach? This is love. God’s love has nothing to do with our loveliness. It’s totally undeserved.

1 John 4:7–12 ESV

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:9–10 ESV

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 1:3–4 ESV

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 3:1 ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:1 ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

How did he live?

John 13:1 ESV

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

As a servant to us, only doing what the Father wanted

Do We See God’s Love?

What did he do?

The Circle of Unity

Illustration: In John, We See the Circle of Love (Union/Relationship that is heavenly)

He died on the Cross

What did he teach?

What if anything has kept your love alive in marriage?

2. God’s Child

To receive God’s love is to accept it as true, and live as it is true, and rely on it. Loving God and receiving his love involves having an affectionate, honest, committed, and obedient relationship with him.

To receive God’s love is to accept it as true, and live as it is true, and rely on it. Loving God and receiving his love involves having an affectionate, honest, committed, and obedient relationship with him.

and live as it is true, and rely on it. Loving God and receiving his love involves having an affectionate, honest, committed, and obedient relationship with him.

Authentically God’s Child

To receive God’s love is to accept it as true, and live as it is true, and rely on it.

1 John 3:1 ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Confidently Loved as God’s Child

1 John 5:20 ESV

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 4:13–16 ESV

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Loving God involves having an affectionate, honest, committed, and obedient relationship with him.

Loving and Obedient as God’s Child

1 John 5:1–2 ESV

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

John 12:25 ESV

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Loving God involves having an affectionate, honest, committed, and obedient relationship with him.

Are you in fellowship with him?

Are we living in God’s Love?

Loving him

Keep Christ’s Word

Not loving the world

Loving Righteousness

The Princess Bride

Illustration: Princess Bride

No Fear as God’s Child

1 John 4:18 ESV

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Do you have to kiss your wife?

3. God’s Family

Loving each other with God’s love starts with our relationship with him and then his love is shared to his other children through us.

Love in God’s Family

John 13:34 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Fellowship in God’s Family

1 John 1:3–4 ESV

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 3:16 ESV

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

John 13:34 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

John 13:12–15 ESV

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Love God (God is

Know him

Fellowship

Love Each other

Unity in God’s Family

Love can be perfected in us, by knowing God, keeping his words/commands.

New and old command - Loving brother (true in him true in us)

Do I have to kiss my wife? Yes, but your probably missing the point.

John argues “love” not because of a religious duty, or fear of an authority, but, because a relationship that we have with God.

John 17:20–23 ESV

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

English Standard Version Chapter 17

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me

Love is meant to be shared.

In of ourselves, we are self centered and not God centered.

Witness in God’s Family

Pursuit of another person’s good.

John 13:35 ESV

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Agape love not based on the goodness of the other person.

Living it Out Questions

Do we let sin stop us from loving God and loving each other?

Do we have any bitterness or hate for another brother or sister?

We see God today via love that is working in us ()

Do we know each other enough to help each other?

Do we let individualism stop us from love?

Do we let God perfect his love within us?

Hard Questions to Ponder

Be Generous

Are we hating those who harmed us?

Are we hating those who harmed us?

Hurt Build Up

Keep Christ’s Word

Not loving the world

Are we rescheduling our life for each other?

Knowing Eachother

Getting Dirty with Siblings

Committing to work through

Are we helping each other and willing to be helped?

The Endless Love of God

Ephesians 3:18–19 ESV

may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Loving Righteouness

Are we actually opening up receiving love and loving each other?

The Eight Cow Wife

The depths of the love of God are endless, let our love for each other be the same.

Illustration: Eight Cow Wife

Ending Thoughts

John 13:35 ESV

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The 1 Cow Wife

Illustration: Eight Cow Wife

Be a loving person. Be a loved community.

Applications: Obey, Abide, Love

Applications:

Obey, Abide, Love