1. Love: the most misunderstood word in the world? Some think it is romance or a feeling (you either have it or you don’t) Some think it is romance or a feeling (you either have it or you don’t) “God is love” (1 Jn.4:8) must mean that God has no wrath (universalism) “God is love” (1 Jn.4:8) must mean that God has no wrath (universalism) Hb.12:29? Hb.12:29?

2. I The Case For Love (1 John 4:7-11) 1. The precept of love, 7a “…love is of God” (an order) “…love is of God” (an order) 2. The proof of love, 7b Love is a sign of our heavenly origin Love is a sign of our heavenly origin

3. 3. The penalty of false love, 8 Ro.12:9 Ro.12:9 W/o love, cannot: W/o love, cannot: Know God (He is love) Know God (He is love) Partake of God’s nature (7; 2 Pt.1:4) Partake of God’s nature (7; 2 Pt.1:4) Imitate God (9-10; 3:16-18) Imitate God (9-10; 3:16-18) Obey God (11; 2:4). Jn.21 Obey God (11; 2:4). Jn.21 “God is love” – personifies love “God is love” – personifies love

4. 4. The presentation of love, 9a The love of God (His love to us) The love of God (His love to us) Was manifested Was manifested Mt.5:45 Mt.5:45 Ep.2:4; Jn.3:16 Ep.2:4; Jn.3:16 Toward us = either: in us (ASV), in our souls, v.12,16) or among us (ESV)

5. 5. The price of love, 9b Sent His only begotten Son… Love is known by its actions Love is known by its actions Those who love only in word do not love at all (3:18) Those who love only in word do not love at all (3:18)

6. 6. The purpose of love, 9c That we might live… That we might live… 7. The priority of love, 10, 19 Ep.3:19 Ep.3:19 8. The persuasion of love, 11 Love like God’s; 4:20-21 Love like God’s; 4:20-21 Loved us in spite of ourselves, Ro.5:8 Loved us in spite of ourselves, Ro.5:8

7. II The Conduct Of Love Jn.13:34-35 Jn.13:34-35 New commandment – standard New commandment – standard Love one another – objects Love one another – objects As I have loved you – example As I have loved you – example

8. Application: This Love Is – Sincere, Ro.12:9. 2 Tim.1:17 Sincere, Ro.12:9. 2 Tim.1:17 Personal, Ro.13:9. 1 Sm.18:…3 Personal, Ro.13:9. 1 Sm.18:…3 Growing, Ph.1:9. Ph.4:2-3 Growing, Ph.1:9. Ph.4:2-3 Fervent, 1 Pt.1:22. Ac.20:…38 Fervent, 1 Pt.1:22. Ac.20:…38 Permanent, Hb.13:1. 2 Co.12:15 Permanent, Hb.13:1. 2 Co.12:15

9. III The Categories Of Love 1. Love God, Lk.10:…27 Dt.6:4-9 (Mt.23:5) Dt.6:4-9 (Mt.23:5) Do…live (Lk.10:28) Do…live (Lk.10:28) A stranger to love is a stranger to God A stranger to love is a stranger to God A stranger to doing is a stranger to love A stranger to doing is a stranger to love

10. 2. Love enemies, Ro.12:20 Lk.6:27, 33 Lk.6:27, 33 “Do not waste your time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less” (C. S. Lewis) “Do not waste your time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less” (C. S. Lewis)

11. 3. Love the lost, Ro.13:9 Mt.5:44, 47 Mt.5:44, 47 Ac.16:9-10 Ac.16:9-10 NOT by agreeing w. their sinful condition NOT by agreeing w. their sinful condition BY telling truth in love, Ep.4:15 BY telling truth in love, Ep.4:15

12. 4. Love brethren, Hb.13:1 We reject “love” that ignores sin We reject “love” that ignores sin We err if we ignore affection We err if we ignore affection Ro.12:10 Ro.12:10 “…bound by a family tie” (V) “…bound by a family tie” (V) 1 Pt.1:22; fervently 1 Pt.1:22; fervently Earnestly, (ESV) deeply (NRSV). Earnestly, (ESV) deeply (NRSV). 1 Pt.4:8 Hatred looks for sin; love covers it Hatred looks for sin; love covers it

13. 5. Love family Ep.5, husband-wife Ep.5, husband-wife Tit.2:4, wife-husband Tit.2:4, wife-husband Tit.2:4, parent-child Tit.2:4, parent-child Ro.1:31, unloving (of family affection) Ro.1:31, unloving (of family affection) S.Sol.8:7 S.Sol.8:7