February 23, 2025
TEXT:  I John 4:7-21
Introduction: I John 4:19
I. God’s love is a family trait of God’s children (vv. 7-8)
A. Those who have received God’s love are beloved (v. 7a)
B. Those who have received God’s love are to be loving (v. 7b)
C. Those who have received God’s love are able to love with God’s love (v. 7c)
D. Those who have not received God’s love cannot show God’s love (v. 8)

II. God’s love is made known to us so we can benefit from it (vv. 9-11)
A. God’s love is manifested not hidden (v. 9)
B. God’s love is declared not withheld (v. 10a)
C. God’s love is displayed not disguised (v. 10b)
D. God’s love is exemplified not obscured (v. 11)

III. God’s love being shown from us is evidence of it being in us (vv. 12-16)

A. It is proof that God is in us when His love comes from us to others (v. 12)
B. It is proof that God is in us when His Spirit’s fruit is produced in us (v. 13; Galatians 5:16-26)
C. The proof that God is in us is His love causing us to love Him (vv. 14-16)
1. Testifying of what we have seen to be true about God’s Son (v. 14)
2. Confessing who Jesus is and what He has done for us (v. 15; John 1:14; Romans 1:3; 8:3; I Corinthians 15:45; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:9)
3. Knowing what we believe and why we believe it (v. 16; I John 4:19)

IV. God’s love grows in us by His Holy Spirit working in us (vv. 17-21)
A. God’s love growing in us gives us confidence (v. 17)
B. God’s love growing in us gives us peace (vv. 18-19)
C. God’s love growing in us gives us love to love others properly (vv. 20-21)