KNOWING GOD THROUGH LOVE

TEXT: 1 John 4:7–11 (NKJV)

Knowing God Through Love

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this 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 also ought to love one another.

ILL: A Portrait of Brotherly Love

In 1949 the Southern Baptist Convention met in Oklahoma City. The president was the late Dr. R. G. Lee.

For the first time in the Convention’s history, a black man from outside the fellowship was invited to preach. He was Dr. E. W. Perry, for over a half century pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Oklahoma City.

When Dr. Lee presented him, he put his arm about Dr. Perry and said, “Brethren, you are looking at a portrait of black and white painted in red” (see Ephesians 2:13 (NKJV)

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ ). The messengers stood and cheered.

-how many know that Love for God is seen when we love one another?

-I want to preach a sermon entitled “Knowing God through Love.”

I. THE ESSENCE OF TRUE LOVE

ILL: The story is told of a woman who left her husband. The husband called the police and filed a “missing persons report.” A few weeks later the police found her a few counties over. They asked him if he wanted them to take him to her. By now the husband had realized how poorly he had treated his wife. He decided to write his wife, and he did for months. Finally, Christmas came, and he went to see her (she was in a run down hotel). He asked her to come home and she did. On the way home he said, “I’ve written you for months, why did you come home so easily?”

She replied, “Because those were just letters, this time you came in person.”

A. WHAT’S THE ESSENCE OF TRUE LOVE?

1. The Bible says that true love is displayed by certain characteristics. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (GW)

4 Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. 5 It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. 6 It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.

8 Love never comes to an end...

2. In our scripture the Bible tells us that love is the main characteristic of the believer. And if a believer does not love, he or she doesn’t know God.

3. The Greek definition of Love is: Love by an act of the will. It’s not a love based on emotions like Phileo: to love, indicating feelings, warm affection, the kind of love expressed by a kiss. This was to be done without partiality.

a.) So the Bible commands that we love one another. As an act if the will and for the benefit of others. Because that is how God loved us! With reference to God’s love, it is God’s willful direction toward man. It involves God doing what He knows is best for man and not necessarily what man desires. God gave what man needed not what man wanted. Jn.3:16

II. PRACTICAL WAYS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

ILL: The English artist George Romney fell in love and married a young lady, but then left her so that he could pursue his career wholeheartedly (although he did support her financially). His paintings brought him much income, but he eventually became too old to work and went back to his wife who took care of him until he passed away. The spirit that his wife showed in caring for him was worth more than all the paintings he ever produced.

A. FORGIVENESS

1. The Bible says that love takes no account of a wrong suffered. I.e it doesn’t write it down in the memory to bring it up later . “Remember when you…?” Or it doesn’t hold it against a person to get vengeance. Love make a willful decision to forgive like God in Christ forgave you! Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

2. You cannot harbor unforgiveness

ILL: Read an article entitled, “Warning signs unforgiveness is eating you alive and to do about”.

a.) It’s a secular article offering advice, but how many know the only way we can truly forgive is with God’s help? Philippians 2:12–13 (NKJV)

Light Bearers

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

B. BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER

1. Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

2. Kindness is a characteristic of God towards us. Titus 3:4–5 (NKJV)

4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

a.) I.e. the only reason we can show love and be kind is because God was first kind to us. “we love him because he first loved us.” Beneficial.

C. UNSELFISH LOVE

1. 1 Cor. 13 says “Love does not seek its own.” That mean it’s unselfish.

2. Do want things to go your own way?

“It’s my way or the highway.” It doesn’t bother love when things don’t go its way.

III. LOVE GIVES EXPECTING NOTHING IN RETURN

ILL: On May 2, 1962, Gladys Kidd placed a dramatic advertisement in the San Francisco Examiner, “I don’t want my husband to die in the gas chamber for a crime he did not commit. I will therefore offer my services for 10 years as a cook, maid, or housekeeper to any leading attorney who will defend him and bring about his vindication.”

Vincent Hallinan, one of San Francisco’s best lawyers saw the advertisement, felt pity, and contacted the woman. He took on the case and ended up getting the innocent man released from all charges. Afterward, the attorney refused the lady’s offer of ten years of service, noting that he was satisfied to have saved an innocent man from death.

One of the most touching shows of humanity is selfless love. Stories of kindhearted humans helping others with no kickback or reward offsets the grimness of news and gives hope of good in the world. Yet as Christians, we know a stronger kind of love, a love that gives the ultimate sacrifice.

Source: The Universal Journalist, David Randall

A. GOD’S LOVE TO US

1. 1 John 4:10 (GW)

10 This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins.

2. The Bible says that when we were God still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

3. I.e. when we didn’t deserve His love, when we were in rebellion against Him, when we despised Him, He still loved us so that He willingly lay down His life to save us from our sins.

a.) Expecting nothing in return! This is the love that God has called us to have toward one another. 1 John 4:11 (GW)

11 Dear friends, if this is the way God loved us, we must also love each other.

1. If we’re truly born of God and say that we know God then love for each other is the characteristic that must shine through. Jesus said “by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love toward one another.”