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Sermon by Paul Lamey
1. The premise of biblical love (vv. 7-8)
Present tense action. This is a tangible love in the life of the believer.
This Love describes a consuming passion for the well being of others. This is not be obeyed when it is easy, or only half way. If God is your Father, there will be a family resemblance.
The negative side. The one who does not love, does not know God. The unbelievers nature is opposed up God. Believers will struggle and have seasons of unlove. This is speaking to those who have NO evidence of love.
“for god is love. ” grammar is clarification of what he is saying. Predicative nominative. Grammatically you can not flip this. God is love does not equal love is God. He is describing God.
2. The demonstration of Biblical love (vv. 9).
A. He revealed Himself
B. He gave Himself (vv. 10-11)
Through his putting on of humanity and submitting to the point of death.
Note that God does not love us because we loved Him!! That would make us wise and ultimately prideful, the center of our salvation. John is very clear and simple on the order. He, God, loved us first.
Whether we believe it or not, whether you FEEL it or not, doesn’t matter. He does! We ALL have rejected him, of our own free will, and Gods wrath is against us. His satisfaction is through Christ’s death for our sins. You cannot please God by trying to be better. The only pleasing sacrifice was Christ.
What difference does it make? BECAUSE Christ loved us, we should love one another.
3. The assurance of Biblical love (vv. 12-16)
A. The gift o the Spirit (vv. 12-13)
No one has seen God at any time. This is very point blank, yet we have masses of books where people have had visions or have seen God. Seen is not only to include the eyes, but to include rightly understanding God.
B. The testimony of the apostles (vv. 14)
C. The confession of the Faith (vv. 15-16)
Confession is not enough. To know and believe and abide.
ABIDE. To live constantly with a focus. To parent, to restore in love, to help others, etc.
You can be assured in your faith IF you love like this.