## Knowing the Love of God

## I John 4:7-10

Over the past few weeks we have been seeking to know God in a deeper and more personal manner. Today is Father's Day, and what better day to consider what I believe is the most important characteristic of God that we can know. His Love. Love is that attribute whereby God shows His concern for the well-being of the object of His love. Its importance is seen from our text this morning.

(1 John 4:7-10) "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. {8} He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. {9} In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. {10} Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

I. God is the Essence of Love.

A. God is love. v7-8

1. These three little words are profound in that they speak to us of the very essence of God.

2. He is Love!

3. Now we know that He loves, but that is what He does.

4. This verse speaks of Who He is, not of what He does!

5. Note the impact of this simple statement.

a. God's very nature is love.

b. Therefore, if a person loves God, he becomes a loving person; he takes on the very nature of God.

c. If a person really loves God, then he does what God does: he loves everyone.

d. Note exactly what the verse says.

B. When we love one another, people see two things:

1. People see that we are born of God.

a. They see that we have the nature of God, that God has put His divine nature into us.

b. How do they see God's nature in us? By our love.

c. They see us doing the very same thing that God does-loving people.

d. They see us loving everyone: the rich and poor, healthy and suffering, deserving and undeserving, acceptable and unacceptable, good and bad.

e. They see us loving everyone, no matter who they are.

2. People see that we know God.

a. They see that we have been talking to God and learning about God; that we are doing what God says, carrying out His instructions.

b. They see that we know God, fellowship and commune with Him; that we are living godly lives, and that we are actually taking on the very nature of God.

c. How do they see all this? By our love.

d. They see that we are loving and caring just as God is loving and caring.

II. The Expression of God's Love. v9-10

A. He sent His Son, Jesus (v9)

1. When God provided for our salvation, He gave His very best.

(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

2. Why did He give His only begotten Son? -- 'that we might live through Him'.

(John 14:6) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

B. Jesus paid it all. (v10)

1. Propitiation = satisfactory payment.

2. The Bible tells us that 'the wages of sin is death'.

3. Jesus was the only One who could pay the price and redeem the souls of mankind.

4. Have you ever sent your child to do a job only to be disappointed in with what was done?

a. Either the job wasn't completed…

b. Or it wasn't done as you had instructed.

c. But Jesus fulfilled His task perfectly.

d. He did exactly what He was asked to do by His Father, and He finished the task!

III. The Concluding Thought. v11

(1 John 4:11) "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

A. God in His great love for us set the example.

B. Then He calls upon us to love one another in the same manner.

1. Love always moves us to act.

2. God so loved that He gave

(Rom 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

3. If we have known God and His love, then we are to show that love to others.

4. In other words, God expects to reveal His nature to others through what we do and how we live.

5. What are we showing to others?

C. God's Love Illustrated. Cf Luke 15:11-24

1. Like most fathers, he loved his sons and wanted the best for them.

2. One son demanded his inheritance and he went his own way.

3. The father never stopped loving his son.

4. One day the son decided to return to his father's house as a servant.

5. The father received him as his son.

6. His son was restored to his rightful position in the household.

7. That is exactly how God treats us.

a. If you have never been saved, God's desire is for you to come to Him for salvation.

b. If you are a believer, but you have gone your own way, God's desire is that you come home.

c. He will welcome us, as we humbly return with a repentant attitude He will lift us up and restore us.

What is your need this Father's Day? Do you know the Lord? Have you experienced His great love? If not, why not come now and allow us to show you from God's Word how you can be saved. If there are those here who have strayed from God's side, why not come home? The Father is waiting for you to come. Have you come to the point where you are tired of what this world has to offer? Come home, He will welcome you with open arms.