1 John 4:7-19

1 John 4:7-19

God's Valentine

Do you remember growing up and your elementary school class would have a valentine’s party? I remember some of the cards I gave out tom my class during those days, some were just right creepy. So, I thought I would share with you a few Valentines from my youth that you might remember!

1. Vintage animal valentines

2. Alf valentines

3. Your Neat

4. Michael Jordan

5. Vanilla Ice valentine

We gave these out because we were supposed to show our classmate, we loved them, but looking back it is hard to see the love in them.

Love is a deep word, and trying to summarize it with a little card is hard to do. So, we give flowers and candy to that special person, letting them know that we love them. You know, Valentine’s day is a day we celebrate love in our lives, but when we think about it, shouldn’t we celebrate it every day?

In the word of God, the Lord has given us a Valentines message here in 1 John 4:7-11. [Read Scripture]

John the disciple who was called in the scripture the Beloved Disciple is a man who loved Jesus. He wasn’t afraid to share it and let others know. You know, we are sometimes bashful in saying the words I love you to someone. We draw up, and look around, especially us men. But when it comes to Jesus, we shouldn’t be afraid to tell people that we love him.

This portion of scripture really defines to us how much he loves us and how much we should love him. I would like to ask you today, have you made the Lord your Valentine? I mean, is he the one you love? Let’s consider three things when it comes to God’s Love.

The Overflow of God’s Love 7-8

1. For many centuries over in Egypt the prominent Nile river would go through a flood stage each year. Overflowing its banks the water would spread out and deposit rich soil onto the banks. This overflow would cause life to abound around the river and allow people to plant crops.

2. The overflowing Nile river in a way illustrates the Love of our Lord. That his love is not contained but that it spreads, and in this case over the whole earth. And that love affects us!

3. Do you realize that love floods over our life?

a. Think about the love that God has shown to us:

i. The physical items

ii. The relationships

iii. The health we have

b. All of these are because God’s love goes beyond what we can comprehend.

4. The love that God gives us should overflow our lives as well. Think about what is being said by John here – let us love one another!

5. You know, the Lord has told us, if you love me, love each other – but I wonder if we were to give out Valentines to the people in the church, how many would not receive one?

6. Do we love one another?

7. Sam was chatting with his friend Ted. He asked Ted whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day. “Yes,” Ted rapidly replied, “I bought her a belt and a bag.” “That sounds good,” Sam responded. “I hope she will like them.” Ted grinned, “Me too. I am hoping now that the vacuum cleaner will work better.”

8. Love is more than buying someone something, it is showing them love like God showed!

The Object of God’s Love 9-11

1. Reread verses 9-11

2. God was not taken by surprise when Adam fell, he knew that this was going to happen before the creation of the world. He knew that the world would need a savior.

3. God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem us! We would do well to sing the line

Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan

Oh, the grace that brought it down to man

Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span

At Calvary!

4. Over in Matthew 18:12-14 Jesus shared with the religious leaders a story about a lost sheep, how if a sheep is lost, the shepherd would go and search for that sheep because that sheep was special. Listen God has made you the object of His Love!

5. That is why Jesus came to Earth, that is why he was born, he lived and died for YOU!

6. Take out your hymn book for just a moment – look to page 65

7. That love was and is meant for you! He loves you that much!

The Offering for God’s Love 12-19

1. In our last few verses, John continues to expound on the love of God, sharing with us that the love of God dwells in us because he has given us his spirit!

2. You know I try to show my family I loved them, I bought my wife flowers for Valentines and my kids I bought candy – I can give them these things to show them I love them but you know the best way to show them I love them – by saying it – I Love You.

3. If you love someone you are going to show it and say it – I don’t have to be afraid to say the words I love you because perfect love cast out fear!

4. If I am afraid to say I love you to God then I’m not really saved. I’ve been fooling myself, here is the time to stand and give the offering to the Lord today! That today I will say before this congregation, before my family, before the Lord – I love you and I want to tell you that I love you by living a life that is pleasing to you!

5. Let me ask you, do you really love Jesus, of you do why are living and doing what you are doing? Listen, Jesus has given you the greatest Valentine ever, why don’t you give him your heart today!

Jesus is my Valentine;

I talk to him each day.

He never, never leaves me

And always listens when I pray

Yes, he is my valentine

There is no love like his

For him I breathe and live

He is the heart of all that is

He’s a Valentine that never lies

Never hurts or breaks

He always has forgiven me

For all my past mistakes

If you only knew my Valentine

You would love him too.

For his love is always perfect

His love is always true.

So, if your heart is longing

For a love that never ends

For someone that is faithful

You know you can depend

Call upon my valentine

He’ll wash away you sin

He will be your valentine

And your dearest, dearest friend