1 John 4:7-14
“7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.[1]”—1 John 4:7–14, NASB 95
On Sunday, we explored God’s astonishing love through 1 John 4:7-14, establishing that true agape love originates from God’s nature. The message explains that this divine love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional—perfectly exemplified by God sending Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins. Using the story of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo’s friendship across racial lines as an illustration, the sermon emphasizes that genuine love transcends barriers and seeks the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. The text highlights three imperatives to “love one another” found in the passage: as an exhortation that affirms our identity in Christ, as a logical reciprocal response to God’s love for us, and as a practical reality that deepens our fellowship with God and empowers our witness to the world. As Holy Week begins, Russell challenged us to reflect daily on God’s love and to invite others to hear the Gospel message this coming Easter Sunday.
On Sunday, we explored God’s astonishing love through 1 John 4:7-14, establishing that true agape love originates from God’s nature. The message explains that this divine love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional—perfectly exemplified by God sending Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins. Using the story of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo’s friendship across racial lines as an illustration, the sermon emphasizes that genuine love transcends barriers and seeks the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. The text highlights three imperatives to “love one another” found in the passage: as an exhortation that affirms our identity in Christ, as a logical reciprocal response to God’s love for us, and as a practical reality that deepens our fellowship with God and empowers our witness to the world. As Holy Week begins, Russell challenged us to reflect daily on God’s love and to invite others to hear the Gospel message this coming Easter Sunday.
Discussion Questions
- The sermon describes agape love as the “selfless seeking of others’ well-being without expecting anything in return.” How does this definition differ from how our culture often defines or portrays love?
- How does the story of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo exemplify Christian love? Can you share an example of someone showing unconditional love toward you?
- The sermon emphasizes that God is the source of love. How does understanding that love originates from God’s nature change our approach to loving difficult people?
- In what specific ways has God demonstrated His love for you? How has this impacted your ability to love others?
- The pastor mentioned both an “inner” challenge (reading these verses daily) and an “outer” challenge (inviting someone to Easter services). Which of these challenges will you embrace? If you plan to invite someone to Easter, who is it? Spend time praying for those you intend to invite.
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