God is Love1 John 4:7-12

The Big Picture Outline1. John’s Overview (1:1-2:27)

2. The morals of a true believer (2:28-3:24)

3. The doctrine of a true believer (4:1-5:12)

4. John’s Epilogue (5:13-21)

Preview – Doctrine Division1. Test the Spirits (4:1-6)

2. Theological Basis for Love (4:7-12)

3. Confidence from Sound Doctrine (4:13-21)

4. The Testimony of God (5:1-12)

IntroductionJohn now revisits the command to “love one another” from a theological standpoint... Love is not something that God does, but something God is. Love is not something a Christian should do but what they should be.

I. The Source of Love Verses 7-8

A. Evidence of a Relationship•Likeness is the proof of relationship

•Example: DNA

B. God is Love•“God is light” - the purity of God’s holiness

•Light revealed sin but love removed sin.

•To see God is to see God is in His holiness and His love

II. The Scene of God’s Love Verses 9-11

A. God commended His love to me

1. God saw and met a real need in the world (sin)

Jesus was very popular as a healer, feeder and miracle worker but not as a propitiator

A. God commended His love to me

2. God poured his love on the non-reciprocating

“[God] maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt 5:45b

B. I commend God’s love to others

1. By reaching out to the world “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21b

B. I commend God’s love to others

2. By reaching in to the brethren“If sin turns us in upon ourselves, the cross turns us out towards God and towards others”

III. The Sight of God’s Love Verse 12

A. Love makes God visible•Creation’s wonders declare the power of

God and Christians declare the love of God

•2 Corinthians 3:2 “Ye are our epistle…”

•John 13:35 – Love is the Christian’s mark

B. Love marks Christian Maturity•Definition: perfect – “something living that

grows to maturity and bears fruit”

•Galatians 5:22a “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…”