Loving Others - Part 2 1 John 4:13-21 pg 1902 pg

1 John 4:13-21 (NLT) 13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.

1 John 4:13-21 (NLT) 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

1 John 4:13-21 (NLT) 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.

1 John 4:13-21 (NLT) 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

1 John 4:13-21 (NLT) 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. Agape - self-sacrificing action for the benefit of others without expecting in return Ephesians 5:1-2 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love... Ephesians 5:1-2 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love... 1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. Matthew 22: 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. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22: 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. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 8

God’s Design to Loving Others Abide - building deeper relationship with God Abide - building deeper relationship with God Obey - trusting Jesus and His Word to the point of action Obey - trusting Jesus and His Word to the point of action Love - self-sacrificing for the benefit of others without expecting in return Love - self-sacrificing for the benefit of others without expecting in return Abide LoveObey

Distortions of Biblical Love Love to get in return Love to get in return Love out of own strength Love out of own strength Abid e Lov e Obe y Abid e Lov e Obe y

Barriers to Biblical Love Spiritual Noise - False teachers (false doctrine & worldly ways) Spiritual Noise - False teachers (false doctrine & worldly ways) Fear Fear an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat

Barriers to Biblical Love Spiritual Noise - False teachers (false doctrine & worldly ways) Spiritual Noise - False teachers (false doctrine & worldly ways) Fear - diminishes our ability to love Fear - diminishes our ability to love 1 John 4:18 (ESV)...whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)...whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Fear Fear of God Fear of God Fear of People Fear of People 13

Fear Fear of God Fear of God 1 John 4: God is love, and all who live in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 And as we abide in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence... 1 John 4: God is love, and all who live in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 And as we abide in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence... So we will not be afraid on the day of judg ment 14

Fear Fear of God Fear of God 1 John 4: God is love, and all who live in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 And as we abide in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence... 1 John 4: God is love, and all who live in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 And as we abide in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence... So we will not be afraid on the day of judg ment Genesis 3: When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3: When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 15

Fear Fear of God Fear of God 1 John 4: God is love, and all who live in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 And as we abide in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence... 1 John 4: God is love, and all who live in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 And as we abide in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence... So we will not be afraid on the day of judg ment Genesis 3: When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3: When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3: “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Genesis 3: “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 16

Fear 17

Fear Fear of People Fear of People Fear of rejection Fear of rejection Fear of personal loss Fear of personal loss 18

Fear Fear of God will manifest itself as fear of people. Fear of God will manifest itself as fear of people. Genuine love for God will manifest itself as love for people! Genuine love for God will manifest itself as love for people! What is the solution to fear so that we can love? What is the solution to fear so that we can love? BUT ALSO

Solution to Fear 1 John 4: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. 1 John 4: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. Knowledge of God’s love (not just mental ascent, but a personal intimate application of his love) Knowledge of God’s love (not just mental ascent, but a personal intimate application of his love)

Solution to Fear 1 John 4: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. 1 John 4: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. Knowledge of God’s love (not just mental ascent, but a personal intimate application of his love) Knowledge of God’s love (not just mental ascent, but a personal intimate application of his love) Develop a trust in his love that leads to stepping out Develop a trust in his love that leads to stepping out 21

Solution to Fear 1 John 4: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. 1 John 4: We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. Knowledge of God’s love (not just mental ascent, but a personal intimate application of his love) Knowledge of God’s love (not just mental ascent, but a personal intimate application of his love) Develop a trust in his love that leads to stepping out Develop a trust in his love that leads to stepping out Ephesians 3:17-19 [I pray] that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 [I pray] that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 4:1-3 I...urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 I...urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 22

Solution to Fear 1 John 4:20 1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 23

Solution to Fear Do you avoid some people because you just don’t feel like dealing with them? Do you avoid some people because you just don’t feel like dealing with them? Do you isolate yourself from God? Do you isolate yourself from God? Are you afraid to confront others because of rejection? Are you afraid to confront others because of rejection? Are you unable to give because you spend what you have on yourself? Are you unable to give because you spend what you have on yourself? Do you seek pleasure/comfort more than you seek to serve others? Do you seek pleasure/comfort more than you seek to serve others? Do you have a problem remembering names? Do you have a problem remembering names? Do you withhold from sharing Jesus with others? Do you withhold from sharing Jesus with others? 24 Matthew 16:25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Reason to love 1 John 4:19 1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us. We love because he first loved us.

Reason to love Romans 5:8 Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Ephesians 2:4-5 Ephesians 2:4-5 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. 26

Reason to love Romans 8:38-39 Romans 8:38-39 I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reason to love Hebrews 13:5 Hebrews 13:5 For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Wrap Up... Whoever loves God is called to love others deeply Whoever loves God is called to love others deeply Fear is a huge barrier to loving others Fear is a huge barrier to loving others Knowing and trusting God’s love for us will dimish fear (and increase our ability to love others) Knowing and trusting God’s love for us will dimish fear (and increase our ability to love others) Are you willing to jump into the messy pool of love? Are you willing to jump into the messy pool of love?

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