1 John 4:8-12- 1 John 4:8-12- He that loveth not knoweth He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.perfected in us.1 John 4:19-21-1 John 4:19-21- We love him, because he first We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.brother also.

BIBLE LOVEBIBLE LOVE 1 John 4:8- LOVE IS EXPRESSED IN 1 John 4:8- LOVE IS EXPRESSED IN THE FACT THAT GOD IS LOVE AND THE FACT THAT GOD IS LOVE AND WE HAVE A NECESSITY FOR LOVE. WE HAVE A NECESSITY FOR LOVE. IF WE LOVE NOT WE DO NOT KNOW IF WE LOVE NOT WE DO NOT KNOW GOD.GOD.1 John 4:9- Love from God to man 1 John 4:9- Love from God to man expressed in the value of our souls- expressed in the value of our souls- He gave the ultimate sacrifice in He gave the ultimate sacrifice in giving His Son.giving His Son.1 John 4:10,11- love for us was 1 John 4:10,11- love for us was undeserved and because He loves us undeserved and because He loves us we ought to love one another.we ought to love one another.

Our Response To Love Of Our Response To Love Of GodGod

Love God with all heart, soul and mind and Love God with all heart, soul and mind and neighbor as ourselves (Deut. 6:5; Lk. 10:27)neighbor as ourselves (Deut. 6:5; Lk. 10:27)

To brethren- reach out to one another as To brethren- reach out to one another as God did to us w/o consideration of what we God did to us w/o consideration of what we may get back- JUST LOVE OTHERSmay get back- JUST LOVE OTHERS

1 John 3:16- He laid down His life for us so 1 John 3:16- He laid down His life for us so we ought to lay down our lives for one we ought to lay down our lives for one another.another.

We live in a time when love is shown most We live in a time when love is shown most commonly by what we can get not by how commonly by what we can get not by how much we can give.much we can give.

Love Expressed In GivingLove Expressed In Giving John 3:16- God so loved the world that He John 3:16- God so loved the world that He

gave His Son.gave His Son. Everyone from Obama to American Idol Everyone from Obama to American Idol

has some kind of giving gimmick. has some kind of giving gimmick. Become a cliché and a punchline.Become a cliché and a punchline.

True giving is not for recognition. True True giving is not for recognition. True giving shuns any recognition.giving shuns any recognition.

God always gives to us:God always gives to us: FORGIVENESS- when was the last time FORGIVENESS- when was the last time

you needed forgiveness from Him and He you needed forgiveness from Him and He did not grant it if you asked in true did not grant it if you asked in true penitence? How often do you reflect on itpenitence? How often do you reflect on it

Christ is always there as the propitiation Christ is always there as the propitiation for our sins- spiritual giving is limitless for our sins- spiritual giving is limitless with God.with God.

God’s Earthly Gifts To UsGod’s Earthly Gifts To Us James 1:17- “every good and perfect gift is James 1:17- “every good and perfect gift is

from above coming down from the Father of from above coming down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness, neither lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”shadow of turning.”

James 1:18- “of His own will He begat us with James 1:18- “of His own will He begat us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.” first fruits of his creatures.”

God called us through the gospel to be the God called us through the gospel to be the best!best!

He values us and knows all about us ( Luke He values us and knows all about us ( Luke 12:6- He knows the value of a sparrow and He 12:6- He knows the value of a sparrow and He values us. He wants our lives to be good (Eph. values us. He wants our lives to be good (Eph. 1:3-14- every spiritual blessing in Christ.)1:3-14- every spiritual blessing in Christ.)

God Takes Care of Those God Takes Care of Those He LovesHe Loves

Romans 8:28- “all things work together Romans 8:28- “all things work together for good to those who love God and for good to those who love God and those who are called according to His those who are called according to His purposes.”purposes.”

1 Cor. 13:4-8- “love suffers long…”God 1 Cor. 13:4-8- “love suffers long…”God is so good to us!is so good to us!

2 Tim. 3:12- “all who will live godly will 2 Tim. 3:12- “all who will live godly will suffer persecution.” Being a Christian suffer persecution.” Being a Christian costs something! Are we willing to costs something! Are we willing to suffer anything?suffer anything?

God Keeps His PromisesGod Keeps His Promises Matthew 6:33- “seek first the kingdom and Matthew 6:33- “seek first the kingdom and

all these things will be added unto you.”all these things will be added unto you.” 1 Cor. 10 :13- “there has no temptation 1 Cor. 10 :13- “there has no temptation

that had taken you that is not common to that had taken you that is not common to man but God is faithful who will not suffer man but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way but with the temptation will provide a way of escape that ye may be able to stand.”of escape that ye may be able to stand.”

Try living your life with the assurance of Try living your life with the assurance of these two promises and see how much these two promises and see how much easier your life becomes.easier your life becomes.

Our Expression of Love Our Expression of Love to Othersto Others

Matthew 18:21- How often do I forgive? Matthew 18:21- How often do I forgive? Answer- Our forgiveness has not limits.Answer- Our forgiveness has not limits.

Seeking to dwell together in unity (Ps. Seeking to dwell together in unity (Ps. 133:1). Unity w/o truth is only union. 133:1). Unity w/o truth is only union. True unity only comes when one holds to True unity only comes when one holds to the doctrine of Christ. the doctrine of Christ.

Love for souls! Jesus called the disciples Love for souls! Jesus called the disciples to be fishers of men and that is what we to be fishers of men and that is what we are called through the gospel to be.are called through the gospel to be.

The Extent of Our LoveThe Extent of Our Love 2 Cor. 11:22-28- Paul sacrificed for 2 Cor. 11:22-28- Paul sacrificed for

his brethren. How much is your his brethren. How much is your brother worth to you?brother worth to you?

Sacrifice and serve in the church.Sacrifice and serve in the church.

1. Give our funds (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 1. Give our funds (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9)Cor. 9)

2. Give our time ( Matt. 6:33)- 2. Give our time ( Matt. 6:33)- Forsake notForsake not

3. Give ourselves (2 Cor. 8:1-5)3. Give ourselves (2 Cor. 8:1-5)

Loving Enough To Loving Enough To DisciplineDiscipline

Godly Love Corrects and Disciplines ( Heb. 12:6-Godly Love Corrects and Disciplines ( Heb. 12:6-8).8).

Our Children (Prov. 22:15; 23:13)Our Children (Prov. 22:15; 23:13) Ourselves (Heb. 12:7- accepts the chastening of Ourselves (Heb. 12:7- accepts the chastening of

the Lord and James 1:2, counts it joy to be tried).the Lord and James 1:2, counts it joy to be tried). Our brethren (Matt. 18:15- privately; 1 Cor. 5- Our brethren (Matt. 18:15- privately; 1 Cor. 5-

publicly; 2 Thess. 3:6- withdrawal if necessary; publicly; 2 Thess. 3:6- withdrawal if necessary; Gal. 6:1-3- considering ourselves). Hardest Gal. 6:1-3- considering ourselves). Hardest aspect of love.aspect of love.

Godly Love accepts correction and responds in Godly Love accepts correction and responds in submission to God’s will. Godly love moves us to submission to God’s will. Godly love moves us to change when we are shown to be in error.change when we are shown to be in error.

Tough Love- Ultimate Tough Love- Ultimate GivingGiving

Heb 12:6-8-Heb 12:6-8- For whom the Lord loveth he For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Heb 12:11-Heb 12:11- Now no chastening for the present Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.which are exercised thereby.

True Bible Love True Bible Love RespondsResponds

By Obedience (1John 2:3-6- “hereby we By Obedience (1John 2:3-6- “hereby we know that we know Him, if we keep His know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments, he that says, I know commandments, he that says, I know Him and keeps not His commandments, Him and keeps not His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in Him but is a liar and the truth is not in Him but whoso keeps His word, in him verily is whoso keeps His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected, hereby we the love of God perfected, hereby we know that we are in Him. He that says know that we are in Him. He that says he abides in Him ought also to walk as he abides in Him ought also to walk as He walked”).He walked”).

Loves ResponseLoves Response

John 14:21- John 14:21- If ye love me, keep my If ye love me, keep my commandments.commandments.

John 14:23-24-John 14:23-24- Jesus answered and said Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.mine, but the Father's which sent me.

What Is Your Response To God’s What Is Your Response To God’s Love?Love?

He Gave all for you.He Gave all for you. He offers all spiritual blessings to you.He offers all spiritual blessings to you. He offers eternal life to you.He offers eternal life to you.What Is Your Response:What Is Your Response: Repentance?Repentance? Subjection?Subjection? Give all to Him?Give all to Him? Embrace all He has done?Embrace all He has done? Reject what He has done?Reject what He has done?

1 Corinthians 13:1-81 Corinthians 13:1-8 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of Though I speak with the tongues of men and of

angels, but have not love, I have become angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And And though I have though I have the gift of prophecy, and the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but remove mountains, but have not lovehave not love, , I am I am nothingnothing. . And though I bestow all my goods to And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,burned,** but but have not lovehave not love, it , it profits mprofits me e nothingnothing. . Love suffers long Love suffers long and is kind; love and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; truth; bears all things, believes all things, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. hopes all things, endures all things. Love never Love never fails.fails.

1 Corinthians 13:1-81 Corinthians 13:1-8

Characteristics of true love for God Characteristics of true love for God Characteristics of true love for othersCharacteristics of true love for others How many of these attributes describe How many of these attributes describe

you?you? Our love is unconditional however, our Our love is unconditional however, our

acceptance of wrong is not. acceptance of wrong is not. God always loves us, but He is not God always loves us, but He is not

always pleased with our behavior. He always pleased with our behavior. He does not love sin, nor should we. does not love sin, nor should we.

Commanded AgapeCommanded Agape To be a true child of God we must To be a true child of God we must

practice proper agape love toward all practice proper agape love toward all our brethren and family. our brethren and family.

There is no room in the life of a child of There is no room in the life of a child of God for hatred of anyone except Satan. God for hatred of anyone except Satan.

Families that do not talk to one Families that do not talk to one another??? How is this love??? If sin is another??? How is this love??? If sin is not the issue, then there is no excuse for not the issue, then there is no excuse for failing to love. Rejection of brethren for failing to love. Rejection of brethren for reasons other than sin—no roomreasons other than sin—no room

Without Proper LoveWithout Proper Love WE ARE NOTHING.WE ARE NOTHING. We can do everything else but if we do We can do everything else but if we do

not practice proper biblical love, we not practice proper biblical love, we are not true disciples of the Lord.are not true disciples of the Lord.

Love allows others to love us. It does Love allows others to love us. It does not put others off.not put others off.

Many often want to be the givers but Many often want to be the givers but not the recipients of love. This is also a not the recipients of love. This is also a part of being true disciples. Learning part of being true disciples. Learning to properly accept the love of others. to properly accept the love of others.