1 John 4:15-21
“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in 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, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one 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, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.[1]” (1 John 4:15–21, NASB 95)
On Sunday, we explored how perfect (mature) love casts out fear in 1 John 4:15-21. Russell explained that perfect love is not flawless but rather mature, fully developed love that can even extend to enemies. This mature love develops through three channels: experiencing God's love for us, confessing and abiding in mutual love with God, and extending that love to others, even those who have hurt us. Using a big jug of water, Russell demonstrated how we are both cisterns receiving God's love and pipelines channeling it to others. The benefits of mature love include confidence at the judgment seat of Christ and freedom from fear. Fear restrains us, while love empowers us to act selflessly and vulnerably.
On Sunday, we explored how perfect (mature) love casts out fear in 1 John 4:15-21. Russell explained that perfect love is not flawless but rather mature, fully developed love that can even extend to enemies. This mature love develops through three channels: experiencing God's love for us, confessing and abiding in mutual love with God, and extending that love to others, even those who have hurt us. Using a big jug of water, Russell demonstrated how we are both cisterns receiving God's love and pipelines channeling it to others. The benefits of mature love include confidence at the judgment seat of Christ and freedom from fear. Fear restrains us, while love empowers us to act selflessly and vulnerably.
Discussion Questions
- The sermon defines "perfect love" as mature rather than flawless. How does this distinction alter your understanding of what God expects from us in loving others?
- Reflect on the water jug illustration. In what ways are you currently functioning as a "cistern" receiving God's love? How effectively are you serving as a "pipeline" sharing that love with others?
- Russell mentioned that mature love involves loving those who have hurt us. Who is someone difficult in your life whom you struggle to love, and what practical step could you take to show them love this week?
- According to the sermon, "fear involves restraint." Share a time when fear held you back from showing love to someone. How might perfect love have cast out that fear?
- C.S. Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." How comfortable are you with being vulnerable in your relationships? What makes vulnerability challenging for you?
- How does Jesus's command to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) challenge your typical responses to those who hurt you?
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