1. BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE 1 John 4:7 - 21

2. 1.GOD’S LOVE – 3 DEFINITIONS 1.the benevolence of God, in providing salvation for men, … by sending his Son to them and giving him up to death, John 3:16; Rom. 8:37; …; 1 John 4:11,19 2.of the love which led Christ, in procuring human salvation, to undergo sufferings and death, Gal. 2:20; Eph. 5:2; 3.of the love with which God regards Christ, John 3:35

3. 1.GOD IS LOVE, V 8, 16 Nature versus actions: Not - creator, ruler, provider Being, DNA, a primary part of His nature Let love …. Because He is love (not because creator…)

4. 2.GOD HAS REVEALED HIS LOVE TO US IN HIS ACTIONS; 1.God came in human flesh - like we are. Adam “alone”; one “suitable” for him. Gen 2:18f John 1:1-4, 14 His love nature begets relationships that are personal.

5. 2.GOD HAS REVEALED HIS LOVE TO US IN HIS ACTIONS; 2.Through a Father’s love for His Son. Son, not prophet. 1 John 4:9, 10, 14, 15; 4x Only Begotten Exact representation – identical twin God is one. “My Father” - began with Christ. 36x. 4x.

6. 2.GOD HAS REVEALED HIS LOVE TO US IN HIS ACTIONS; 2.Through a Father’s love for His Son. The “Father-love” verses.

7. 2.GOD HAS REVEALED HIS LOVE TO US IN HIS ACTIONS; 3.God sent His Son that He delighted in, that He loved, to purchase salvation through His humiliating, painful death for humanity. To give us life. 1 John 4:9-10

8. 3.LOVE ORIGINATES AND PROCEEDS FROM GOD TO GIVE LIFE. 1 John 4:7, “love is from God.” When we are born of Christ, we inherit the Father-love through Christ. 1 John 5:1 Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6

9. 4.GOD ENABLES BELIEVERS TO LOVE BY HIS SPIRIT BORN IN US. Love of God and life of God abiding in me enables me to love. The Spirit abides in us. 1 John 4:13, 16 For the seed of God to live in me. 1 John 3:9 For the love of God to be given to others by me. 1 John 4:7