Responding to God’s Love (1 John 4:7-21)

Responding to God's Love (1 John 4:7-21)

(1 John 4:7-21)

I. Accepting God’s love

    A. Knowing God (1 John 4:7-8; Philippians 3:8-11; Titus 1:16)
    B. Christ gives us life (1 John 4:9; John 14:6; 1:4; 11:25; 5:24)
    C. Christ is the propitiation of our sins (1 John 4:10)
    D. We have no excuse to not love the brethren (1 John 4:11)

II. Confessing God’s love

    A. The good confession (1 Jn. 4:15; Acts 8:37-38; 1 Tim. 6:12)
    B. More than mere lip service (Matthew 15:8; 7:21)

III. Abiding in God’s love

    A. Mutual indwelling and reciprocal abiding – the closest fellowship and communion possible (1 John 4:12-16)
    B. We can be bold by conforming our lives to His (1 John 4:17; 1 Timothy 6:11; Ephesians 5:1-2)
    C. There is no fear in love (1 John 4:18; Psalm 111:10)

IV. Practicing God’s love

    A. Selflessly seeking the very best for another (1 John 4:19)
    B. Love for the brethren flows from a love for God (1 Jn. 4:20)
    C. You cannot love God if you do not love your Christian family (1 John 4:21)

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