Introduction:
1. In these verses "John made a passionate appeal" that is summed up in vs.21.
2. In our lesson we are examining this special appeal.
3. As we do so, let us keep in mind that John was present when:
a. Jesus made the same appeal to His apostles (John 13:34-35)
b. Jesus commanded the apostles to teach all things that He had taught them (Matthew 28:19-20).
4. The first point we need to make is that . . .
Discussion:
I. "GOD'S LOVE" IS THE FOUNDATION OF JOHN'S APPEAL
A. John indicated that God is the source of love.
1. (vs.7b) "Love is of God."
2. (vs.8b) "God is love."
B. John continued by explaining how God demonstrated His love.
1. (vs.9-10) God demonstrated His love by sending His Son into the world to be "the propitiation for
our sins" (see 2:1-2).
2. (vs.14) John and his fellow apostles saw and testified that the Father sent Jesus to be our Savior
(see 1:1-2).
C. In laying the foundation for his appeal, John wrote about God's love.
D. Such love deserves a response -- this leads us to the next point.
II. GOD'S CHILDREN RESPOND TO HIS LOVE IN 2 WAYS
A. First, God's children respond to His love by loving Him.
1. (vs.19) John explained why God's children love Him -- "because he first loved us."
2. Those who love God enjoy special blessings.
a. (vs.16) Those who love God dwell in Him and vice versa.
b. (vs.17) Those who love God will have boldness at the judgment.
c. (vs.18) Those who love God overcome fear.
3. God's children love Him because He first loved us.
4. There is another way in which God's children respond to His love.
B. The second way God's children respond to His love is by loving each other.
1. See vs.7a, 11
2. Special blessings are associated with loving God's children (vs.7c, 12b).
3. John also touched on the spiritual condition of those who do not love God's children (vs.8a, 20).
C. John concluded his appeal in vs.21.
III. THE OTHER APOSTLES MADE THE SAME APPEAL
A. Ephesians 5:1-2
B. Colossians 3:12-14
C. 1 Peter 1:22-23; 4:8
Conclusion:
1. We know that God loves us because He demonstrated His love.
2. God's children are to respond to His love by:
a. loving Him
b. loving one another.
3. Our response to these requirements indicates whether we are God's true children.