1 John 4:19 (ESV)
[19] We love because he first loved us.
Overview
Hey there, my beloved congregation! Today, we're diving into a beautiful passage from 1 John 4:19. But before we unpack it, let's take a quick trip back in time. Picture the early church, a community grappling with what it truly means to follow Christ. In the midst of uncertainty and persecution, the Apostle John penned these words: "We love because he first loved us."
Essential Points
2. The Transformative Power: When we grasp the depth of God's love for us, it changes everything. It reshapes our motivations, our actions, our relationships. We can't help but love others because we've been so extravagantly loved by God. It's a radical shift from self-centeredness to other-centeredness, from scarcity to abundance.
3. The Call to Reflect: As recipients of God's love, we are called to reflect it back into the world. Our love should be a mirror of the love we've received, a beacon of hope in a dark and broken world. It's not always easy, I know. But remember, we're not doing this on our own strength. It's God's love working through us.
What Matters Most
Wrap-Up
My dear friends, as we go from this place today, let's remember that we
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2. Romans 5:8 – "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
May the love of God fill your hearts today and always. Go in peace, my dear ones.