Grace Fellowship Church www.GraceDoctrine.org Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Sunday, November 30, 2008

1 John Series 1 John 4:18-21 Perfected in Love

1 John 4:18 “…and the one who fears is not perfected in love 1 John 4:18 “…and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” Fear Demonstrates Immaturity

“...In fact, the person who is afraid has not been matured by virtue-love.”

Being matured in love means consistent application of God's Word, already resident within your soul, verses 19-21.

As we grow in love, the two categories of fear leading to more fear diminishes and is done away with, Rom 13:8-10.

Many do not grow up in Christ Many do not grow up in Christ. Instead they are restrained from doing certain things in the Christian life because of fear of punishment, or fear of the consequences.

This means that they live their lives with regret and in hypocrisy.

Some believers advance because they switch from the fearful / disciplinary end of their spiritual life to love and respect for God.

Maturity means:

1) You don’t just claim promises, you rest on the entire essence, integrity and the person of God. If you love God, you know God.

2) Now you know the One who makes the promises 2) Now you know the One who makes the promises. You understand His integrity, and you are dependent on Him.

3) Mature believers are not afraid because they understand the love of God, His righteousness and justice. “If I happen to step out of line His discipline is in my best interest”.

4) We do not need to be afraid of meeting Him face to face because we all will have some embarrassment because we are not without sin.

5) Anyone who has never trusted Christ ought to be afraid 5) Anyone who has never trusted Christ ought to be afraid. But Christians should never be afraid to meet their Lord. 2 Tim 1:7; Rom. 8:15-17

2 Tim 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.”

6) Therefore, having God's Word is having God's love and that produces courage, which drives out fear.

7) Relying on God's power is true courage.

a) God the Father - The omnipotence of GtF is related to your portfolio of invisible assets. The Father's Plan has provided you the greatest power in the universe.

b) God the Holy Spirit - gives us our operational power inside of GPS.

c) God the Son - His Word in your soul exudes courage while He also controls history so that you can execute the Plan of God for your life.

8) Confidence toward God motivates courage toward mankind 8) Confidence toward God motivates courage toward mankind. Worship directed toward God motivates love toward man, verse 17a, "By this the love of God is matured with us".

Offering

Grace Fellowship Church Sunday, November 30, 2008 Tape # 08S-046 Fear Demonstrates Immaturity 1 John Series 1 John 4:18; Rom 3:21-26; 8:1-2, 15; 13:8-10 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2008