Dr Tom Hover
October 30, 2022
I John 4:7-21 / Luke 7:34-35 I Our Earthly Frie
Knowing The Love Of God! / Jesus The Friend Of Sinners
AM
Knowing The Love Of God!
Text: I John 4:7-21
Love God completely; love others compassionately; love yourself correctly. We will be talking about a love that is much greater, much stronger, and much more powerful than any love we could conjure up. And the answer to “What kind of love is that?” God. The text today explores the scope of God’s love and the implications of it: how that love was presented to us, how it was displayed in Jesus Christ, and how that love transforms and changes us.
I. Know How God’s Love Is Presented To Us!
A.) The Pardon Of God’s Love I John 4:9-10
I John 3:16, Romans 5:8, I John 4:10, I Corinthians 6:9–11
B.) The Persuasion Of God’s Love I John 4:11Romans 5:8, John 3:16
C.) The Proclamation of Love I John 4:14
1 John 4:9, 10; John 3:16; Romans 5:8
D.) The Perceiving of God’s Love I John 4:16
E.) The Prompting Of God’s Love I John 4:19
God loves each one of us, as if there were only one of us.
II. Know How God’s Love Was Displayed Through Christ Jesus!
I John 4:9-10 How God’s love was displayed through Christ Jesus And now, with God’s initiative in mind, let’s head into the second topic. We are able to really appreciate how God displays his love through Jesus.
A.) A Sacrificing Love I John 4:9
B.) Saving Love I John 4:9, Luke 19:10
C.) Sanctifying Love I John 4:10
God loves us regardless of who we are or how we live, but He loves us far too much to leave us like we are or how we live.
III. Know How God’s Love Transforms And Changes Us!
Know how powerful God’s love is, and this entire passage really brings that into focus:
A. ) We Are Transformed Into The People of Love John 4:7–8
B. ) We Are Transformed Into The Proof of Love
I John 4:12, I John 4:16, John 13:35, I John 3:14, I John 4:12
C. ) We Are Transformed Into The Perfection of Love I John 4:17-18• The condition for perfection.
I John 4:12 “...If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.”
The compensation of perfection. I John 4:17 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:
because as He is, so are we in this world.”
First, confidence in compensation. I John 4:17 “...that we may have boldness in the day of judgment”
Second, conformity in the compensation. I John 4:17 "...:because as He is, so are we in this world.”
Conclusion:
1. The Pretenders of Love I John 4:20-21
2. The Peace From Love I John 4:18
Love brings tranquility; it removes fear that so destroys tranquility. Lack of love brings “torment” which is the fear of punishment and judgment.
If fear is present, then love is deficient (“not made perfect”).
If God was willing to take the initiative to love and sacrifice Christ for these people, then surely, I can go out of my way to love them as well.
God’s love does not act passively in us. It drives us, it transforms, and it changes us.
Loving With An Authentic Love! Joy is love’s music. Peace is love’s agreement. Longsuffering is love’s endurance.
Kindness is love’s service. Goodness is love’s deportment. Faithfulness is love’s measure.
PM
Jesus The Friend Of Sinners
Luke 7:34-35
I Our Earthly Friends: Proverbs 18:24
A.) Beware of false friends with wrong motives:
1. Money - Proverbs 19:4
2. Entertainment - (The Prodigal Son) Luke 15:13
3. Sex - Proverbs 5:3-13
4. Selfish Desires - Proverbs 19:5
5. Flattery - Proverbs 29:5
Note what Job said about his false friends:
1.) They scorned me - Job 16:20
2.) They forgot me - Job 19:14
3.) They abhorred me - Job 19:19
4.) They fail to pity me - Job 6:14, Job 19:21
B.) You can have true earthly friends:
a. A Real Friend Is Committed To Helping You Grow Spiritually. Proverbs 27:17
b. A Real Friend Will Tell You The Truth Even If Hurts.
Proverbs 27:6
c. A Real Friend Will Stick Close By You Regardless Of The Weather Conditions. Proverbs 18:24
d. A Real Friend Loves You At All Times Proverbs 17:17
II. Our Divine Friend:
There Is Only One Devine Friend And That Friend Is Jesus!
A.) Jesus Is A Friend Who Gave His All John 15:13
B.) Jesus Is A Friend Who Loves All Classes Of People Luke 7:30-35
C.) Jesus Is A Friend Who Loves At All Times
Proverbs 17:17
D). Jesus Is A Friend In All States Of The Soul Proverbs 27:6, Hebrews 12:5-6,
E.) Jesus Is A Friend Who Is Needed By All
Proverbs 27:10, Proverbs 18:19
How Can I Know I Am A Friend To Jesus?
John 15:14, James 2:23
