WHAT ARE THE FACTS ABOUT GOD’S LOVE
1 John 4:7-12
Introduction:
There is nothing like the love of God! It is the most overwhelming thing I have ever encountered in my life. It is the greatest thing God ever did for any of us! The reason I can say that is this, because He loved us, He was moved to do everything else that He has done. Allow me to say tonight that John’s epistle has a 4-fold purpose.
That our joy might be full. (1:4)
That we might not sin. (2:1)
That we might know that we have eternal life. (5:13)
That we ourselves might love others.(4:11)
1 John is the great book of love. It is mentioned 46 times in 135 verses. John tells us about a great God with a great love for sinners. It’s that great love of God that I want to address here today. Let the Lord speak to your heart as we consider the thought, What Are The Facts About God’s Love.
I. HIS LOVE IS DESCRIBED IN THE CONTEXT (V. 7-11)
A. It Is Unspeakable - I can’t understand it, or why, but I know I have experienced it and I can never be separated from it - Rom. 8:38-39
B. It Is Unending - Jer. 31:3…I have loved you with an everlasting love! God’s love is eternal!
C. It Is Unselfish - Ill. It asks for nothing in return! However, it leads man to repent and turn to God in love.
1 John 4:19- We love him because He first loved us!
D. It Is Unmerited - Cannot be earned or deserved!. (His love is based in His grace!)
*Christ could have turned back at any given time!
E. It Is Unconditional - It is not based on what we can or cannot produce, it comes from the heart of God. Man can never reach a place when he will not be loved by God! God loved us first, He loved us anyway and He loves us eternally!
F. His love is Supernatural, it is Sacrificing, it is Satisfying!
I. HIS LOVE IS DESCRIBED IN THE CONTEXT (V. 7-11)
II. HIS LOVE WAS DEMONSTRATED AT CALVARY (V. 10)
A. God’s love can never be fully understood, but it can be seen! It is best seen at the cross!
B. He Stood In The Gap - 2 Cor. 5:21- For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him!……HE TOOK YOUR PLACE!
C. He Saved Us From Hell - It is His death on the cross, the death that released His precious blood that opened the door of salvation for every sinner who will come to God. 1 Pet. 1:18-19;
Eph. 1:7- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace!
Rev. 1:5b - To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood!
Thank God for the Blood of the Lord Jesus!!!!!
I. HIS LOVE IS DESCRIBED IN THE CONTEXT (V. 7-11)
II. HIS LOVE WAS DEMONSTRATED AT CALVARY (V. 10)
III. HIS LOVE IS DISPLAYED IN THE CHRISTIAN (V. 11-12)
A. It will be visible if it is possessed!
B. Notice throughout the Bible, there have been men who demonstrated God’s love:
1. Joseph - Forgiving Love - Gen. 45:1-8…lied about, sold as a slave, ripped from his home and father, falsely accused. Put in prison, waiting all because of his jealous brothers! YET HE STILL FORGAVE…what’s your hang-up?
2. Hosea - Redeeming Love - Hos. 3:1-3…wife named Gomer...a prostitute…. yet...what redeeming love!
3. Peter - Compassionate Love - Denied Him …Lied about Him…Yet Jesus still said…on this Rock I will build my church!
4. Me - Healing Love - Angry…bitter…jealous…full of sin………Yet Jesus still reached down and picked me up out of the sewer!………Psalm 103:1-4
C. When the love of God is present in the life of a believer, it will be visible in5 different areas.
1. Love For The Savior - John 14:15- If you love me keep my commandments!
Ephesus - Rev. 2:4- you have left your first love!
2. Love For The Scriptures……………… (John 5:39)
3. Love For The Sanctuary (Heb. 10:25- Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
4. Love For The Saints - 1 John 4:20-21 - When the saints walk in love, then God will be seen!
5. Love For The Sinners -. Jesus had a heart for sinners - (God’s love is more than just being loved! It is opening our lives so that the Lord can love through us. So that He can reach a world for Himself.)
Conclusion:
We ought to praise the Lord today for His overwhelming love! The best means we have of thanking Him for His love is by letting His love shrine through our lives and reach others for Jesus. I invite you to today to ask the Lord to help you love like Jesus. Today let’s show that love for God by doing His will and being what He would have us be, and by loving like He would have us love. By loving others exactly as we have been loved by God - Matt. 22:39- you shall love your neighbor as yourself!
