Summary: Do we really know or love God? How can we know? Last week we looked at Fearing God. This week we will look at Our Relationship to God as defined in 1 John. Knowing and Loving God. This is simply the outline and helps for this sermon.

Have 5 individuals read 1 John 1-5

Everyone has a relationship to God.

You either know Him or you don’t. You either love Him or you hate Him. According to God, there is no middle ground.

We either love God or we love the world. 1 John 1 says that if we have fellowship with God, we walk in the light.

What relationship do you have?

According to 1 John 2:3-4, if we truly know God we will keep His commandments.

According to 1 John 5:2-3, if we truly love God we will obey His commandments.

(Matthew 22:36-40 ESV) "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

How do we love God that way?

One word with a lot of meaning: surrender.

How do I surrender?

Get rid of the idols in your life.

What idols are on your altar of self? [A resource used for this is http://www.gotquestions.org/idolatry-modern.html]

1. Materialism

2. Pride and Ego

3. Environment

4. Indulgence

Next week we will have Communion.

Homework: Identify and destroy your idols.