“The Love of God” 1 John 4:7-10 01/14/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Love of God” Introduction How is it that even though things have gone so bad with humanity, God hasn’t given up? God settled this long before God ever created anything. 8 the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. (Rev 13:8)

“The Love of God” God knew that human beings would fall into sin given the opportunity to choose between right from wrong, good from evil. Yet God decided to take responsibility for our sins, even though we had become his enemy.

“The Love of God” God didn’t just say He loved us, He did something concrete to prove it. John uses this very principle to help us understand the essence of God.

“The Love of God” God is the Essence of Love. 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)

“The Love of God” God is love. Now we know that He loves, but that’s what He does. This verse speaks of “Who He is,” not of what He does! If a person loves God, he becomes a loving person. He does what God does: he loves everyone.

“The Love of God” When we love one another, people see two things: People see that we are born of God. People see that we know God. People always compare us to God. They want to know if we are real.

“The Love of God” The Expression of God’s Love. God sent his Son, Jesus. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9)

“The Love of God” 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

“The Love of God” We hear all kinds of mixed signals about God and salvation such as: All churches are denominations. One denomination is just as good as another. One religion, Christian or not, is just as good as any other. Who is telling the truth?

“The Love of God” The Bible is telling the truth! More than 48 prophecies about Christ alone have been fulfilled. Now multiply the probability of what I said 6 times! 6 “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“The Love of God” Why is Jesus the gate? Sin is rebellion against God. Sin separates us from God. We can’t save ourselves. We aren’t saved because we’re good people. 19 “No one is good—except God alone” (John 18:19). We aren’t saved by good works.

“The Love of God” So God, before the creation of the world, provided a way for man’s relationship with his Creator to be fixed. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

“The Love of God” “It is finished” (John 19:30). 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23) Jesus was the only One who could pay the price to redeem our souls. “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus finished the task!

“The Love of God” The Concluding Thought. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11) God in His great love for us set the example. Love always moves us to act.

“The Love of God” God so loved that He gave. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) What are we showing to others?

“The Love of God” The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24). 12 Father, give me my share of the estate. 18 Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ (Luke 15:12, 18, 19)

“The Love of God” His dad never stopped loving him! He received him back as his son. This is exactly how God treats us!

“The Love of God” Conclusion Do you know the Lord? Have you experienced His great love? The Father is waiting for you to come.

“The Love of God” 1 John 4:7-10 01/14/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles