1. These verses tell us about the occasion when Jesus gave the Great Commission to His apostles. 2. We are especially interested in the part where Jesus instructed the apostles to teach those who are baptized "to observe all things He commanded them." 3. In our lesson we are pointing out how "John obeyed Jesus" by recording the things He learned from the Lord about "love." 4. We are concentrating on the information John wrote in 1 John 4:7-21. 5. Let us first examine how . . . Discussion: I. JOHN OBEYED JESUS BY DECLARING THE LOVE OF GOD
A. During His ministry Jesus declared the love of God in John 3:16. B. In his letter John wrote in great detail about God's love. 1. John taught that God is the source of love. a. (vs.7b) "Love is of God." b. (vs.8b, 16b) "God is love." 2. John explained how God demonstrated His love. a. (vs.9-10) God sent His Son into the world to be "the propitiation for our sins." b. (vs.14) The Father sent Jesus to be "the Savior of the world." C. John obeyed Jesus by declaring the love of God. D. Such love deserves a response -- this brings us to our next point. II. JOHN OBEYED JESUS BY TEACHING GOD'S CHILDREN HOW TO RESPOND TO THE LOVE OF GOD
A. During His ministry Jesus taught His followers to: 1. love God (Matthew 22:37-38) 2. love each other (John 13:34-35). B. In his letter John had much to say about loving God. 1. God's love leads us to love Him (vs.19). 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. C. John also had much to say about God's children loving each other. 1. He gave direct instructions in vs.7a, 11. 2. Special blessings are associated with loving God's children (vs.7c, 12b). 3. He pointed out the spiritual condition of those who do not love God's children (vs.8a, 20). 4. Please note John's concluding commandment in vs.21. III. THE OTHER APOSTLES ALSO OBEYED JESUS
A. Consider the writings of: 1. Paul (Ephesians 5:1-2; Colossians 3:14) 2. Peter (1 Peter 1:22-23; 4:8). B. We know that the apostles taught the things that Jesus taught them because they had special guidance (John 14:26). Conclusion:
1. We know that God loves us because He demonstrated His love. 2. God's children are to respond to His love by: a. loving Him b. loving one another. 3. Our response to these requirements determines whether we are God's true children. 4. Let us follow the example of John and the other apostles in obeying Jesus.
