In God abides perfect love

Introduction

Good morning brothers and sisters, beloved. It is great to be here with you all this week and as always worship and share God’s word with you. Our scripture today will from 1st John, 1stJohn 4:13-21, if you will all please go ahead and turn there in your bibles.

While you are doing that, I want you to imagine two children playing in the snow. Perhaps it is a brother and sister, enjoying the cold snow, no school, no worries, perhaps mom is going to make hot chocolate when they come in, snowball fights, and the amazing hill just a quick walk away that is just begging to be slid down. This sounds like a great day doesn’t it, even to adults, I’m sure we can put this idea in our mind and have a smile. Can’t you just see it now? All of this in mind though, one thing is still missing though, isn’t it. What is it? Why can’t I quite put my finger on it…. Oh Yes…. Who can forget the quest to make a perfect snow man? What snow day is complete without that? None! So, what then is a perfect snow man? Well first he has to be in perfect portion, each of his 3 snowballs need be a certain height and a certain roundness. Then, he needs other important things that just make a snowman a snowman, like coal, buttons a hat, a scarf, the perfect twigs to be his arms, even a corncob pipe (if you can find one), and oh yes, the carrot for a nose, we must have that! So now you see it, close your eyes and see it in your mind, the perfect snowman. It’s wonderful isn’t it, it just makes the day right. What then, in our faith lives makes things right? What is it all about, if it wasn’t there the whole thing would fall apart. Well, this is God’s love in us and to us. This brings us to today’s sermon title, In God abides perfect love.

Scripture

Now, if you will all please rise for the reading of God’s word today, which is 1stJohn 4:13-21. We have only done this a few times before, but if you will please turn your attention to the screen above me, on the screen will be the text…. Please read along out loud with me as I read it. When I am done, I will finish with “this is the word of the Lord” and you will respond with “thanks be to God.” Before we begin though, let’s pray. Father God. We thank you for who you are and what You do through us. You are a great and mighty and powerful God who sees us, who knows, who knows everything about us and directs our paths. Father, help us to in some small way understand more about You and who You are today. We ask this day, that through the sharing and reading of Your word that You would refine us. Help us to put anything we have that would keep us from hearing from You aside. Help us put away all distractions or thoughts that aren’t on You. Then take this message, and cause it to make us move. Make us move for Your kingdom and Your Glory. That You would be greater in ourselves that we would go out and show how Great You are to others, no matter who it is or how we feel about them. Your word is truth Father, sanctify us in Your truth. It’s in these things that I ask and In Jesus Christ’s Holy and Precious name that I pray, amen. 1st John 4, starting in verse 13, please read along. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Context

We continue this week our expository journey through the epistles of John. In fact, today we find ourselves at the end of the 4th chapter, another good milestone. Remember of course, that this letter was written to a church that was experiencing confusing teachings, and even things that would be declared as heresies by later Christians, in this case it was the gnostic gospel. Over and over again John tells his audience to not blindly trust any teacher or teaching but to compare it/him to the truths of God that can only be found in the scriptures and with the aid of God the Holy Spirit. In a way, John is warning us here, for teachers and teaching, that they choose the words they share carefully and ensure that every word they teach are from God and well prayed over and not deceitful (whether on accident or on purpose) and just flat out not be deceitful or self-promoting. This reminds me of a lesson I learned in my History of Christianity class this week. That is, we never know how our own perceptions of the world can falsely and accidently muddy (or misteach) the word of God. In this case, a heresy called modalism, a teaching that goes against our idea of God being the trinity, crept into Christendom and caused division, misinformation, and false believers for centuries. In this case, it took the ideas behind Greek philosophy and put them behind the idea of the persons of God. So, needless to say, checking ourselves both as teachers and students of The Word is very important. We need to be careful what we intake and the teachers need to be careful how they prepare. This is an idea we see also talked about by Paul in 2 Tim 2:15, 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[c] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Last week looked at several truths of God. In fact, for the last few weeks we have revisited several ideas over and over again, and in the coming weeks we will continue to do this. This is because John had several points that he felt was important to his audience and that are in turn important for us, and our faith lives as well. So, essentially, he keeps repeating himself to emphasize the importance of the things he was teaching in this letter. It is then the apostle’s intent that the believers both then and now, us included, would take the words that he is saying and apply them to our faith lives. You’ve heard me say it before, knowledge without application is just information. So, in a sense John is over and over saying, learn this and do this when he keeps making a point. Not to mention, in your own bible study, if you notice themes or words or ideas coming up over and over again, this is the writers way of telling us to keep your eyes peeled.

In last week’s sermon, we began by addressing the idea that God’s love is a central characteristic for the believer, it is so central that it defines us and informs everything we do. We also took time to examine the use of the word love itself last week and discovered that all the instances derive here is the word ἀγάπη agape which means especially a love of affection or benevolence that overflows, like the overflow of a feast. The person who is agape loved is dear to you, is very very loved. We then addressed the issue that God’s love reaches deep, so deep that it is how and why we live, especially that we live un condemned before the father because God’s love moved Him to the sacrificial atonement, or propitiation of our sins through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. We then looked at the idea of God’s love in us, that it is perfect, as it should be when we love one another; as God showed us so much love through The Son’s death on the cross. All of this was under the main idea, that The centrality of God’s love is proved in Christ. Christ is the proof we need if we need any of God’s great love for us. So, let’s move into this week’s text.

Message

Our first point is, God’s Spirit testifies to the Son.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

As I mentioned earlier, it is important when looking at any verse of the bible, to notice and mark any word or idea or phrase that is repeated. Well, in these verses and the following verses we notice the word “abide” again and again. In fact, in our text section we see the word “abide” or “abides” 5 times by itself. So, clearly, John is wanting us to understand that God abides in us as believers. In fact, he says we know that we abide and him and he in us, because He (God) has given us his Spirit. As your bible probably shows, the Spirit in in these verses is probably capitalized and rightly shows that this is the third person of the Holy Trinity, God the Holy Spirit.

Drawing in, we come into one of the great statements of this letter, “The apostle now reached a climactic point in his argument. He had just written that “if we love each other,” then the God whom no one has seen (which we read about in verse 12) abides “in us and His love is made complete in us.” The result of this experience is that we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.[1]”

This then begs the question, what is a savior, and do I need one? To that, we know that a savior is our deliverer. Deliverer from what? The deliverer from the perfect judgement of God and His wrath upon sin. The savior is the only one who saves us. Remember what we said even a few weeks ago, even today’s philosophers agree that there is some great day of justice/judgment is coming, or else the idea of justice itself is useless. We understand through the revelation of scripture, this to be Christ’s return to the earth and can be read through the book of Revelation. Then, you may be asking or thinking to yourself, “Jacob, I’m a good person, I do lots of good things, do I need a savior? The answer is yes, yes you desperately do just like all the rest of humanity. Let us not forget the words of Romans 3:23, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Everyone needs a savior, all are guilty of sin, and the only solution the only way out is from the merciful and good, Jesus Christ the Righteous, who will pay your sin debt, all you must do is believe in Him and turn from your old ways.

A second point, God’s in those that love Him.

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Here John then goes on to say essentially what we just said, that if you confess Jesus as the Son of God, as the Savior, God lives in you, and you are in God. Once again, you will notice a certain word coming up over and over again. Here, this word is love, and as last week every instance of the word comes from the word agape, which we spoke about earlier, so keep this in mind that it is a love that overflows. I also want to remind you that this love is a love that is enabled and from God. This is type and kind of love that you will only find in true believers of Jesus Christ, in true lovers of God. Otherwise, this kind of love, from a human being, is not possible because our love of self and our individual love of sin is so great. To quote John McArthur, We’re talking here about this transcendent love known only to those who are His, about this perfect love, love to the max which the world never, never, never knows So, whoever has a different spiritual father than the Father God, which would be the father of lies, Satan, we can only expect some form of self-love or love of sin at best.

We need to remember that we shouldn’t be surprised when non-believers act like a person who doesn't believe in Jesus. In turn, as God deems to grow our congregation or faith family, we shouldn’t be surprised when people come in and act like non-believers, because hopefully that is who we are going to or even young/newer believers who are not yet fully matured in their faith. What I’m saying here is, don’t be surprised and be prepared when you go into the world.

Moving on, John makes the statement, God is love, “God is love” is not simply a doctrine in the Bible; it is an eternal fact clearly demonstrated at Calvary. God has said something to us, and God has done something for us.”[2] This of course, is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross…… We all stood guilty, we all, every one of us are the reason the God (Jesus) suffered and died alone, without the Father with whom He had before known continual fellowship and joy. Can you imagine that?....... a God that loves and loved you so much that He died for you? What an odd idea, one that doesn’t make any earthly sense. Well, that’s because He isn’t an earthly being like we are. He is, THE Heavenly being. He is higher and greater; He doesn’t stand to lose anything or be influenced by anyone or anything. God does what He wants and how He wills. Here, and with us, He wanted us to be restored to a perfect fellowship with Him so badly that he died to pay the sacrificial debt that we never could…. What a wonderful God and wonderful savior we have in Jesus. Thank you, Lord.

A Third Point, God’s love keeps us from fear.

17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

I have to be honest with you brethren, when studying these verses this week, they stopped me right in my tracks. Wow, I couldn’t believe what I was reading, though I know I had read it many times before! Yes, I know, and John said it before even in this letter, that because of Christ we get to stand and be confident in the day of Judgement. We know this, we talked about this before, I know and you know it, that because of Christ we get to stand un-condemned before the Father.

Look at this next verse though, verse 18. Let me read that again, 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. Wow. There is no, NO fear in love. In fact, the perfect love of God, which remember last week we spoke about love being perfected in us when we love the brethren sacrificially, casts out fear. Why then…. Why then do we fear? Who among us here fear loving this deeply and this thoroughly? If we are being honest to ourselves, probably everyone. If you are not, then I would challenge you to look deeper and see where or if our sin nature is keeping you from holding back. I can tell you with confidence, even as a pastor, it holds me back. Need examples, just look at the dirty dishes sitting my sink this week. Yep, they were almost all me, and yep I often do the cleaning up, but this week I was selfish in that it is midterm week and I wanted to focus more on getting a good grade in school than serving even my own beloved wife. I can say with assurance that the riches and deepness of God’s love for us will keep us all exploring and understanding something new about it every single day of our lives. In fact, it won’t be complete until we get to see Him face to face.

Furthermore, you may be saying to yourself. “But Pastor, I thought fearing God was a good thing.” I thought Psalm 19, among many other places in the Old Testament told us that fearing the Lord is good. Why then does it say that fear is bad here? Well, this is another case where the deep study and reflection of words and author’s intent is important. In those cases, a better word that translates well in our common use of English is the word reverence, this is a reverent fear that is a good kind. The bad kind, comes from the word phŏbŏs (which we get our modern word phobia from), this word means (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:—be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.[3] So, to help better understand this verse you might say that terror has to do with punishment. As such, those who rest or reside or abide in fear or terror of punishment, anyone who does, anyone who does fear the end or wrath to come John says here has not been refined or made new in God’s love, i.e. they have a faith that is incomplete, they are probably not a legitimate believer yet and not yet one of the redeemed. Of which you can only come to by accepting the loving sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Because to Him is the only way to and of salvation.

Another Point is, God’s love causes us to love.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Here it is again, get ready for it! John says it again, pay attention beloved he is saying here, “19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21” Do you get it, are you hearing it, love is crucial in our faith lives. In fact, I’ve heard it said that, ‘to weaken faith is to deaden love’ our faith is reinforced when we live in and show love. We know, we can say from assurance that this love is not a natural love. It is a supernatural love, gifted to us from God. Showed to us by Jesus and pointed (or drug) towards by The Holy Spirit. “Jesus did not simply preach the love of God; He proved it by giving His life on the cross. He expects His followers to do likewise. If we abide in Christ, we will abide in His love. If we abide in His love, we must share this love with others. Whenever we share this love, it is proof in our own hearts that we are abiding in Christ. In other words, there is no separation between a Christian’s inner life and his outer life.”

[4] Christ is our example in all things, He loved so much, that He followed the Father’s will to the T, which meant even His own death on the cross for you and for me. John here even says it, very harshly. If you do not show love to the brethren, this overflowing love, then something is wrong. He even asserts to his audience, who remember had many false teachers and teachings in their midst, that these seemingly wise teachers who doesn’t show this kind of love are themselves are not from God and are not to be trusted or followed. Mind their teachings, don’t let it slip into your world lest you become deceived, because only those that have God’s love in this way because this kind of love is a gift from and empowered by God (The Holy Spirit). So, we need to ensure brethren, that we are not being deceived by anything and that we fill our lives with things that are good for us and keep our minds continually on the truths of God. In fact, I would charge us all to do as commanded to the Israelites in Deut 11, 8 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth. 22 For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, 23 then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you. Keep the things of God in front of you and in your mind at all times.

Conclusion

Beloved, do you here these words today. Are you ready to put them into action. Put all these truths together and make them make you move. God’s Spirit testifies to the Son, God’s in those that love Him, God’s love keeps us from fear, and God’s love causes us to love. All of this under the main idea, the main thought or revelation that, In God abides perfect love. Are you ready for His love to be perfected in you? What do we need to put aside in our hearts, our minds, our lives to? Brothers and sisters, this message is the same as it is often is. Believe in the Lord Jesus and truths of His Gospel and repent or turn away/put away anything that keeps you from doing it. Look deep, your God is calling you to a deeper relationship with Him, all you have to do is this, He is waiting. Won’t you respond?

To others in this room, maybe this doesn’t make perfect sense just yet. Maybe there are a few holes that you don’t quite understand. Let me fill them in for you. God created this world and everything in it, including yourself. When He created it, it was perfect and good. Then through the deception of Satan and the wanton of mankind sin entered the world that continues even today. This continues and will continue for some time, and separates us from God the righteous, as his Holy nature separates Him from Sin. God however, loved us and wanted us back with Him so much that He provided the way to come back to Him, through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross for our sins. Once you accept this payment, this sacrifice, you are among the redeemed and no longer stand condemned before God. Then, you will get to experience Him in joy and fellowship in the age to come. All of this is true, and always will be true. All you must do is accept it.

Let’s conclude, if you would like to talk more about this, or just need to talk or need prayer, then during our last song together I will be here. I love you all. Let’s pray. Father God, thank you for this message today. Help us to understand the deepness and the richness of your love to us and the world. Help us understand it and apply to our lives in such a way that we would go and share it with others that you might be glorified here on earth as you are in Heaven. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and Precious name that I pray, Amen.

[1]Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Victor Books, 1985, p. 899. [2]Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1996, p. 518. [3]Strong, James. A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible, vol. 1, Logos Bible Software, 2009, p. 76. [4]Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1996, p. 519.