let us examine john's message on love (1 john 4:7-21)
Introduction:
1. In his letter, as well as his other letters, John wrote at length about "love." 2. In our lesson we are studying "John's message on love" in these verses. 3. As we examine John's message we see that: a. he wrote about God's love b. he showed God's children how to react to His love. Discussion:
I. "GOD'S LOVE" IS THE FOUNDATION OF JOHN'S MESSAGE
A. John indicated that God is the source of love. 1. (vs.7b) "Love is of God." 2. (vs.8b) "God is love." B. John continued by explaining how God demonstrated His love. 1. (vs.9-10) God demonstrated His love by sending His Son into the world to be "the propitiation for our sins" (see 2:1-2). 2. (vs.14) John and his fellow apostles saw and testified that the Father sent Jesus to be our Savior (see 1:1-2). C. In laying the foundation for his message, John wrote about God's love. D. In addition to writing about God's love, . . . II. JOHN SHOWED GOD'S CHILDREN HOW TO REACT TO HIS LOVE
A. First, God's children are to react to His love by loving Him (vs.15-19). 1. Why do God's children love Him? (vs.19 -- "because he first loved us"). 2. Those who love God enjoy special blessings. a. (vs.16) Those who love God dwell in Him and vice versa. b. (vs.17) Those who love God will have boldness at the judgment. c. (vs.18) Those who love God overcome fear. 3. God's children love Him because He first loved us. 4. There is another way in which God's children are to react to His love. B. The second way God's children are to react to His love is by loving each other. 1. See vs.7a, 11 2. Special blessings are associated with loving God's children. a. vs.7c b. vs.12b 3. John also touched on the spiritual condition of those who do not love God's children. a. vs.8a b. vs.20 C. John concluded his message on love in vs.21.
III. LET US CONSIDER ADDITIONAL PASSAGES FROM OTHER APOSTLES
A. Ephesians 5:1-2 B. Colossians 3:12-14 C. 1 Peter 1:22-23; 4:8 Conclusion:
1. We know that God loves us because He demonstrated His love. 2. God's children are to react to His love by: a. loving Him b. loving one another. 3. Our response to these requirements indicates whether we are God's true children.
