Blessed Assurance: It's All About Relationships

“Blessed Assurance: It's All About Relationships”

1 John 4:12–21 NLT

12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

Introduction:

I – OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FELLOW BELIEVERS (, )

1 John 4:12–16 NLT

12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:20–21 NLT

20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

A. It is a continually cultivated relationship. ()

1 John 4:7 NLT

7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.

1- The admonition is aimed at Christians, about relations with other Christians.

a. Ἀγαπητοί, ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους· = “you who are loved (beloved), continue to love each other.”

Ἀγαπητοί, ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους·

B. Christ’s love is perfected in us when we abide in love.

a. It is one thing to have Jesus work in your life during a worship service, it is another thing altogether to have his abiding we would presence continually. Be

b. Proof of his abiding presence is found in living out his love.

B. Christ’s love is perfected in us when we abide in love.

(; )

John 13:34 NLT

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

Romans 13:8 NLT

8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

1. In order for love to be perfect, the cycle must be completed.

a. In order for the cycle to be completed, love must flow to others.

().

1 Peter 1:22 NLT

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

II – OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT ()

1 John 4:13 NLT

13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

A. Assurance of our salvation is given by the Spirit. ()

Romans 8:16 NLT

16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

1. When we first believe – ()

Galatians 4:6 NLT

6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

2. When we are in prayer

a. Calms us when we are stressed out. () ()

Romans 8:6 NLT

6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:26 NLT

26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

B. Assurance is solidified as we are filled with the Spirit. ()

Ephesians 5:18 NLT

18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

1. Keys

1) Desire

2) Cleansing

3) Yieldedness

III – OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAVIOR ()

1 John 4:14–19 NLT

14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.

A. Loving Him openly begins with an open confession of His Lordship. ()

1 John 4:14–15 NLT

14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

()

()

B. Loving Him comes in response to recognizing His love for us. ()

1 John 4:16 NLT

16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1- When we truly understand the depth of His love for us, it leads us to trust Him (vs. 16a).

2- Real love is grounded in the nature of God.

3- Living in love comes from our union with God.

C. Loving Him produces beneficial fruit in our lives. ()

1 John 4:17–19 NLT

17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.

1- Our love matures and become more complete as we walk in fellowship with God, ().

1 John 4:17a NLT

17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

2- We gain confidence for Judgment day because we live in an intimate relationship with Christ and obey him. ()

1 John 4:17b NLT

17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

3- We are able to live fearlessly because we have experienced and continue to live in His love. ().

1 John 4:18 NLT

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

4- We are able to love each other because of His love for us. ()

1 John 4:19 NLT

19 We love each other because he loved us first.

CONCLUSION: