Unconditional

Big Idea of the Message: God’s love saved us and saves others through us.

Love is...

How many of you remember the cartoon created by Kim Casali from New Zealand in the 1960’s called Love is…;

The were cute little cartoons of a man and a woman expressing different expressions of love;

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 describe what biblical love truly is here on earth - however God’s love is even beyond that;

Everyone is looking for love or sadly something that resembles love;

In 2013 the Disney movie Frozen was released and in the animated movie we can see an example of true love - unconditional love;

A quick run down of the movie - which has the typical Disney plot - the main characters are two sisters (Elsa and Anna) who, at a young age tragically lost both parents in a ship wreck, Elsa has a super power - she can freeze stuff with hands while Anna is corky and free spirited, Elsa freezes Arendale, the country they live in and runs and hides in the ice mountains Anna chases her then gives her life for Else - until the twist;

Anna loved her sister so much that she was willing face danger and death head on;

In this scripture John wants the “Beloved” - fellow believers to know that because of love, unconditional love, God adopted all who would believe in His Son and accept His as Savior;

And this love is an example for us to follow - how are you doing at following His lead?

Expression

Who are you expressing love too and why are you expressing that love;

Anna loved Elsa so much, even during time of separation as children, that she never gave up on her;

While Anna could be challenging her love superseded everything;

Her love was so great that she was willing to lay her own life down for Elsa;

John is sharing the essential characteristic of God which is unconditional love;

During the last year we how so many that so many jobs and things were essential but what does that mean simply this something that is “absolutely necessary; indispensable”;

So without love God would not have continued to care for people that continually reject Him - yes even Christians;

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4

John’s point is that God can be known only through His demonstration of His love, most profoundly seen in sending His Son in the flesh as a sacrifice for humanity.

This expression of unconditional love is what so many are looking for but will only find in God.

Demonstration

How are you demonstrate what Love is…to a lost world;

Anna demonstrated her love by giving of herself for Elsa;

How did God demonstrate His love;

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 4

God demonstrated His love for humanity and creation by sending His only Son to die as a means of atonement for sin (see 1 John 4:9; compare John 3:16).

God freely gave Himself as Christ, who freely gave His life for you;

Now some may say His life was taken for our sin however the Bibles says this in John 10:17-18;

So how do we demonstrate love, by giving - freely - of ourselves, no strings, no expectations.

Application Point: God loves you no matter what, and that love has the power to redeem you from all of your sins.