AM Scripture Reading: 1 John 4.7-11

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

“This Is Love!”

1 John 4.10

Introduction:

1. We sometimes forget that God loves us, even when we make a mess of our lives. (1 John 2.1-2; 4.7-11)
2. Text: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (NIV).
3. There is nothing more important than the love of God! Why?

GOD’S LOVE IS RELEVANT!

1. God’s love is the most relevant or pertinent subject there is!
   1. It is for everybody! (John 3.16; 1 John 4.9)
   2. Its connection with “grace.” (2 Cor. 13.14; Titus 2.11)
   3. Sadly, some refuse it. (Matt. 23.37; cf., Ezek. 33.11)
2. Its relevance is seen in its demonstrative nature!
   1. “But God demonstrates His own love…” (Rom. 5.8).
   2. “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world…” (1 John 4.9 – niv).

GOD’S LOVE IS CONSTANT!

1. God’s love is always timely: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5.6).
2. How long will this offer last? When is the “right time” ?
   1. “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while is near” (Isa. 55.6).
   2. It is available now! (2 Cor. 6.2)

GOD’S LOVE IS INSISTENT!

1. The unconditional aspect of God’s love is that He offers salvation to heinous sinners, but His love insists faithfulness!
   1. “For the love of Christ compels us…” (2 Cor. 5.14).
   2. Love: the greatest commandment! (Matt. 22.34-40)
2. If loving God demands that we love one another, then love insists on a required behavior!
   1. To what extent? Sacrificially! (1 John 3.16-18)
   2. 1 John 4.11: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Conclusion: “This is love,” and God has taught us how to love!