Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Sunday, August 31, 2008

1 John Series 1 John 4:7-11

The Test of Impersonal Love

Test 1, vs. 1-6 = “What do they say about the Christ?”

Test 1, vs. 1-6 = “What do they say about the Christ?” Test 2, vs. 7-8 = “Is impersonal love demonstrated?”

Regarding false teachers, “Is the organization about sharing the message of Christ, or is it all about them and their promotion, or some crazy mixed up combination of the two?”

Remember that satanic doctrine is disguised as the light of Christ, yet its final intent is not for Christ but for self. 2 Cor 11:14-15

Love throughout this passage is the Greek verb AGAPAO or the noun AGAPE, not PHILEO which means brotherly or personal love.

AGAPE love is impersonal and unconditional love.

God is the author and perfecter of love, "for love is from God". Whoever operates in God's love, "is born of God”, (GENNAO THEOS) John 3:3-16.

By faith we have been saved and born again in the past, as a result we live in love in the present.

We have received new spiritual life, as demonstrated by living in impersonal and unconditional love.

When God saved us, He brought us over to His way of life which is love. “God is love”.

The person who operates in love in the present, demonstrates the past action of salvation which they received from God.

John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Principles of Verse 7: 1. Impersonal love is only possible for the born again believer.

2. Impersonal love is only possible with knowledge of God's Word, Bible Doctrine resident in your soul.

3. The more you know God, the more you will be able to operate in impersonal love.

4. Personal love is optional in life, but impersonal love is a mandate for the life of the believer.

5. Impersonal love emphasizes virtue, honor, and integrity of the subject and simultaneously ignores pettiness, animosity and the hostility of the object or others.

6. Impersonal love solves the problems of personality conflicts, and at the same time sustains and perpetuates personal love directed toward people.

Offering

Needs: Houston Conference air travel - $350

Grace Fellowship Church Sunday, August 31, 2008 Tape # 08S-033 The Test of Love 1 John Series 1 John 4:7-8; 2 Cor 11:14-15; John 13:34 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2008