1. From: John the Apostle 1 John Outline for Oct 24, 2010 Sovereign Grace Fellowship c\o Little Children P. O. Box 3078 235 High Street Boscawen, N. H. 03303-3078 1

2. 2 John’s Purpose In Writing This Letter Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! (1:4 MSG) My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. (5:13 MSG) Taking 1 John Verse by Verse

3. 3 1 John 4:17–21 ESV 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

4. 4 Keywords: we whoever love fear confidence

5. 5 Love and fear (4:17–18). 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ESV Love and fear are not compatible. When we experience God’s love for us our whole attitude toward Him is transformed. We still stand in awe of Him, but that awe is without terror or fear of punishment. The more we live in love—and living in love means expressing as well as receiving love—the more confident we become in our relationship with the Lord.

6. 6 There are four great impelling motives that move men to action: Fear, Hope, Faith, and Love—these four, but the greatest of these is Fear. Fear is first in order, first in force, first in fruit. Indeed, fear is “the beginning of wisdom.” Scripture summarizes the chief cause of sin and crime: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.

7. 7 Love frees us from fear. John has an exciting prospect for the fearful and doubting among us. As we see God's love taking visible shape in the community of faith, we become more confident and more like God. "In this world," John said of the believing community, "we are like Him" (v. 17). “because as he is so also are we in this world.” Love transforms us. We realize that God is not angry or eager to punish; love has driven out fear. The way love drives out fear is beautiful.

8. 8 Love is our proper response to God (1 John 4:19-21). 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. ESV We did not love God; God loved us. God reached out first. But in being loved by God, we are freed to love in return. Then we can reach out to others. Who do we love when God's love frees us? Yes, we do love God. But we also love our brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, love of God and love of His family are so inseparably linked that John flatly stated, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar" (v. 20).

9. 9 Love wears no blinders that cuts off some brethren while focusing on others. When love touches us, our whole personality is affected. We see God and sensing His love, are drawn to Him. We see rightly people for the first time. We reach out to touch and to care. Love has transforms us. It’s in Christ and within His community of faith that we learn to walk in love. Together, within the New Covenant community, we will learn of Christ and his love and express love to each other.

10. 10 1 John 4:20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message

11. 11 LOVE GOD! LOVE EACH OTHER! You can do it if the Spirit of Christ is within you! But if you are not then you should fear the wrath of God and repent sin.