Untitled Sermon

John switches gears here, or seems to

We might say that this is another test…this time not testing the spirits; but the people!

But, it’s a familiar theme, starting with Jesus words in Johns Gospel, repeated here 3:11 told us

English Standard Version (Chapter 3)

...that we should love one another

Backing up further to 3:1

English Standard Version (Chapter 3)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God...

The concept of loving one another shows up three ways: an exhortation in v.7, a duty statement in v.11, and a hypothesis in v. 12 (Stott)

Warning…there will be some word-nerd things popping up here and there

Here John makes a statement

It’s a ...

A Serious Statement

In vv. 7-8

Part of this is refreshing; part, is unsettling

God is love concept

Our old friend, agape/agapao

He demonstrates his point by addressing (often) his readers as “beloved” same root word

He practices what he preaches! “You whom I love, love each other!”

First comes the exhortation to “love one another”

One of the many “one another” statements of the NT

It’s in a different form and serves to set up the contrast between the one who loves and the one who does not

Puts the ball in our court to make a decision on loving—to prove our relationship by our actions

Note that love—this form of love: agape—is from God; He is the origin of it

It is actually a defining term regarding God; one of His attributes or perfections

English Standard Version Chapter 4

God is love

In God, love is perfect; in love, God is perfect

There is nothing in us that makes us deserve God’s love

More on that later

Then, we have that idea of who ever loves, knows God/whoever does not love, does not know God

Do we know any so-called or self-claiming Christians who do not love?

Here’s that other test:

We can reason from this that: only a person who has experienced the love of God—in receiving salvation, can exhibit true love of this kind

It follows that a person who does not exhibit this love is not a believer; if he is a

A Substantial Statement

In vv. 9-10

Here we see how God has exhibited His love

The origin of love is God’s nature; the exhibition is what He did: Rom 5 6

Romans 5:6 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We could not have life in and of ourselves Eph 2 1

Ephesians 2:1 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

Sent His only son (monogenes again)

In the world into which this was written, it was accepted to love only those worthy of love; God turned this upside down

So that we might live through Him Col 2 6-7

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV)

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith...

To be the propitiation for our sins—a mini-sermon here

What is it?

The offering that appeases the wrath of the offended party—God

Why is it necessary?

Because of our sin—any sin—we are subject to the wrath of God

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Wrath, Wrath of God

wrath refers to His absolute opposition to sin and evil

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Wrath of God

The biblical teaching on God’s love cannot be appreciated unless it is seen in contrast with the biblical teaching on his wrath

A Settling Statement

In vv. 11-12

A tightly linked pair of them, actually

V. 11 is a first class condition—formed in such a way that the result is assumed to be true

If/then; Note: ought—expresses debt or obligation

The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (a. A Further Elaboration of the Social Test: Love (4:7–12))

...the duty of Christian self-sacrifice is deduced from the self-sacrifice of Christ. (John Stott)

V.12 opens with an interesting statement and closes with a different type of condition

We must answer the arguments “What about Moses?” What about Isaiah?”

Neither one saw God in His complete being; Moses saw his back parts and His glory; Isaiah was His glory and the train of His robe which filled the temple…it was an incomplete view

We cannot see the entirety of God’s total being…except in Jesus Christ

Hebrews 1:3 (a)

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature....

How is the first part linked to the second which is formed in such a way to express future potential

God’s abiding and the perfecting of the love are both formed in such way that the are assumed to be continual actions

Randy’s “We’re all at different points in our Christian process....”

A goal should be to display Christ in our lives

We imitate Him so that others can see that and imitate us—scary thought?

Philippians 4:9 ESV

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

We may not, probably won’t get it right all the time—trust me—I don’t but once in a while I do

The “I’ve seen Jesus in you” card; it was because of the love I’d shown this family

Let’s go back to the text:

English Standard Version Chapter 4

if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Let Him work in us to show His love among our brothers and sisters in Christ.