July 17, 2022

        THE LETTERS OF JOHN: HOW DO I KNOW?

   July 17, 2022

   Pastor Matt Willmington

At the risk of causing a tiff between a married couple, do you remember the first time you “fell in love” or experienced puppy love? Can you tell us about it?

Many people have been raised on Bible verses such as, “Do unto others as you want them to do unto you,” and “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” We may have been taught that a neighbor is the person next door or across the street. Jesus, in Luke 10:25-37, said that a neighbor is anyone who may cross your path at any time. John continues this first letter to the Ephesians by concentrating on the love a true believer must have for other believers in the church—as well as for people outside the church. He knew if Christians can get God’s concept of love into their hearts —both for God and people—the church would be able to face the world’s attacks. Join us as we study 1 John 4:7-21.

Focal Passage: 1 John 4:7-21

If you love the Father, you love the family

  • Read 1 John 4:7, 8, 16, 19. Who is God saying we must love in these verses? Why must we? If we lack love for the brothers and sisters in the church, why is it so important that we figure out why?
  • When do you get the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Is He God, equal to God the Father and God the Son? What are some of His character traits? If He is living within you, how will you conduct yourself?
  • What did verse 7 tell us? Read Romans 12:10 and Eph. 4:2. What quality do you especially notice in these two verses? If we take the lead to do the right thing, and to love others in the “family of God,” how is that glorifying God?

Love sends, serves, sacrifices

  • Read verses 9-11,14. Why did God send His Son to the world? Read Phil. 2:6. What example of service did Jesus set for us here? Read Rom. 8:9. Is anyone naturally humble? How can we teach ourselves to be humble? Why is humility necessary, if we wish to be like Jesus?
  • Read Rom. 12:16 and Gal. 5:13. Why was Matthew Henry correct when he wrote, “We must bear a resemblance to [Christ’s] life, if we would have the benefit of His death”? What quality must we continually seek to develop in our lives?

We love what we see, to love what we can’t see

  • Read verses 12, 14, 20. Has anyone seen God at any time? For those who were with Jesus, was this like ‘seeing’ God? Who else do we see that is in His image? How does love for God develop from loving others?
  • If you hate a true brother or sister in the faith, and you are striving to please God, what are some actions you must take to get your feelings within God’s boundaries? What would you do?
  • Read 1 Thess.5:11, Eph. 4:32, Rom. 14:19 and Jas. 5:9. What are some of the fruits that we will bear indicating we are growing in our capacity to love?

Live in God because He lives in you

  • Read verses 12-13, 15-16. What are two affirmations in our lives that will let us know we belong to God? If we take a spiritual test each year, what should we see?
  • Read 1 Thess. 5:15, Jas. 4:11 and Gal. 5:26. These are verses on what NOT to do! What actions are you to stay away from? If God the Holy Spirit is living in you, why will you find these impossible to tolerate?

Completed love gives confidence

  • Read verses 12, 17, 18. Who loves to put fear into our lives? What are some of the things that fear will center on? How can we drive fear out?
  • Why should we not be afraid of facing God in judgment? When did we “put off the old man”?
  • Read Rom. 14:13, Gal. 5:15, Eph. 4:25 and Titus 3:3. What are some things that we used to do, but should no longer be doing once we belong to God?

Haters don’t love, lovers don’t lie

  • Read verses 20-21. Why should we find it impossible to hate our believing family if we are confessing and believing in Jesus Christ? Read Rom. 15:7. If they confess and believe in Jesus, how should we treat them? Is that how God treats us?
  • Read Rom. 15:14, Eph. 5:21 and Gal. 6:2. Why is this how we should be acting toward our church family?
  • Read Jas. 5:16, 1 Pet. 4:9, 5:5. These are ways our actions and our fruits will show we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Why is this so important?

Close:

At first it may seem slightly intimidating to read all the “dos and don’ts” in the Scriptures, but what may seem difficult here on earth will be momentary in the light of heaven! Think of what you will have: eternal life, not only with God as your Father and Jesus as your brother, but also with all the family and friends who have died in the Lord and gone to be with Him! How amazing is that? Is obedience too much to ask? No!

For a few short years we will be reaching toward that holy perfection God has asked of us (“Be holy, as I am holy”), in order to be rewarded with no tears, no sin, no sorrow, and so much more! Is that too much to pay for what you will be receiving? Not at all.

This has been a long lesson, but the summary is so short: Love God, and love your brothers and sisters in the faith. Love your neighbor more than you love yourself. As 1 John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin!”

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