I John 4:17-21 –
Intro: Today we are
going to look at the lessons we can learn from the Apostle John. He is known as the apostle of love, a father
of the church and the evangelist who staked his claim on the person of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Love is made complete among us so that we may have confidence on the Day
of Judgment because in this world we are like Him.
1. John begins this
morning saying that because the Spirit of God abides or lives in us
And we in Him. Love is made complete among us and through
us. Love is a
Characteristic of
the church and is demonstrated by all who claim Him as Saviour and
Lord
2. This creates two things, confidence and Christ likeness. Confidence because you do
Not fear judgment because there is no sin,
stain, accusation or charge. You have
been
Forgiven and
cleansed by Jesus’ blood. You have
confidence in prayer, the word, in
God’s ability to
provide, guide and keep His promises and agreements.
3. In response you
want to live a life that pleases him. So
each day, you become more
And more like
Him. Your thoughts, attitudes, speech
and actions show Him. Talk
About Chris
Williams.
There is no fear in love. But
perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man who fears is not made perfect in
love.
1. There are four
truths in this verse. First, there is no
fear in love. Fear is a spirit. It
Is not from God. As a spirit it has to be overcome by
spiritual means. John says that
Fear cannot stand
or stay in the presence of love. God is
perfect love and His Spirit
Overcomes the
spirit of fear. People today struggle
because fear from childhood has
Exploited,
manipulated, controlled and paralyzed them.
It has created and exploited
Our weaknesses
and failures or used others to cause them.
Talk about Mom’s fear of
Water.
2. John says secondly,
that perfect love casts out all fear.
Fear is cast out when a person
Accepts God’s
perfect love. There are four things God wants you to know this
Morning.
a. His goal for you
is not only to make you happy but do what pleases Him.
b. To receive His
love and pass it on in the service of Him.
c. Through His love
free people to better worship and serve Him.
d. Let Him through
His word, prayer and fellowship help us
to become mature and bring
long term growth
to ourselves and others.
3. John reveals that
fear is based upon, judgment and punishment.
Fear feeds on them.
So fear makes God
out to be harsh, unforgiving and vengenceful.
So instead of
Looking to God we
look to others for acceptance and approval.
4. John has made it
clear that God is love. Yet the person
who lives in fear has not
Allowed God to love them or they won’t. The problem with fear is that it is a
familiar
Friend. You have grown accustomed to it. Instead of seeing as it is a destroyer. You
View it as part
of your makeup, your identity and who you are.
You don’t know yet
That life is so
much better without it. John wants you
to experience fully the next
Statement,
We love because He first loved us.
1. John says, we love
because He first loved us. God gave us
this ability. It is one of His
Attributes He has communicated to us. It is part of His DNA and He made it part of
Ours. We responded to His love. He first loved us.
2. This allows us
first to know that God has already accepted and given us His approval.
Secondly, you know
that you are perfect in His sight because of Jesus. Thirdly,
Because of the
previous two statements you want to follow a path of righteousness.
You want to
please God. Fourthly, because of love
you know you are acceptable to
God and He has
declared it.
If anyone says, “I love God”, but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother,
whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1. John had come
across some believers who used the argument I can love God but I
Don’t have to
love you. Or the other, I have to love
you but I don’t have to like you.
2. John says you
cannot love God and hate your brother.
We love God when we love
Each other. It is
the mark of our discipleship. Loving
others is God’s test of
Discipleship. If you don’t love
others, you are a liar. Simple, direct
and succinct...
Remember John
does not mix words. He is not interested
in yours and my theories,
Excuses, justifications
or reasons. You and I are to love all
and we know it is not an
Easy task. In fact it is impossible without God’s help. Read 1771
And He has given us this command:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1. Right between the
eyes. This love thing is not an option,
a guideline, or an
Exception. It is a command. It came from the lips of Jesus in the upper
room
Discourse. John is only reminded his audience and
us.
2. Church we are to
love one another; It is easy to peg someone because of
Denomination,
traditional, worship style, theological difference or church affiliation.
You can’t refuse
to love someone because they don’t agree with how you see things.
It’s easy to excuse
your lack of love for someone because they don’t believe, worship
Or follow God as
you do. Talk about Sholomo Riskin’s
evaluation of a fanatic or
Liberal. But John says we are to love because it is a
command.
3. Our three themes
today have been about overcoming fear, acceptance and love. If
You are
struggling with these or any other thing will you come to the altar and be set
Free.
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