Sermons on 1 John 4:10
The various sermons below converge on the central truth of 1 John 4:10 that God’s love is both the source and demonstration of our reconciliation with Him, made manifest supremely in Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross. They emphasize that this love is not merely an abstract doctrine but is meant to be experientially known and trusted, with the Holy Spirit actively pouring it into believers’ hearts. A common thread is the theological weight given to the concept of propitiation, understood as God’s just satisfaction of wrath through Christ, which simultaneously upholds divine holiness and love. Several sermons highlight the relational and covenantal dimensions of this love, portraying it as initiating, persistent, and transformative—creating value in us rather than responding to our worth. The cross is portrayed not only as a legal transaction but also as a deeply personal and redemptive act that bridges the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity. Nuances emerge in the use of Greek terms like "phanerao" (to make manifest), "ginosko" (to know by experience), and "hilasmos" (propitiation), which enrich the understanding of how God’s love is revealed, known, and enacted. Additionally, some sermons draw vivid imagery from biblical narratives—such as the humiliation of Christ at the cross, the Last Supper’s covenantal symbolism, and the agony of Gethsemane—to deepen the emotional and theological appreciation of the atonement.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their emphases and pastoral applications. Some focus more on the psychological and emotional healing that comes from trusting God’s love as safe and trustworthy, addressing fears of rejection and unworthiness, while others underscore the costly, justice-satisfying nature of propitiation, insisting on the necessity of substitutionary atonement to maintain the coherence of God’s character. One approach highlights the intra-Trinitarian love and the eternal perichoresis that flows outward in the cross, whereas another stresses the paradox of Christ’s apparent defeat and humiliation as the means of salvation, challenging common messianic expectations. The covenantal and relational framing of the atonement, drawing on Old Testament kinsman redeemer imagery, contrasts with more forensic or legal interpretations, offering a broader cultural and relational context for understanding Christ’s sacrifice. Some sermons bring out the ethical implications of the passage, calling believers to embody God’s love visibly, while others focus more on the theological tension between God’s wrath and love, and the mystery of how both are satisfied in Christ. The treatment of the cross ranges from a focus on its cosmic and legal significance to a pastoral emphasis on its power to heal inner wounds and create new value in believers.
1 John 4:10 Interpretation:
Embracing Love and Hope Amidst Grief (Freshwater Community Church Wadsworth) offers a unique and deeply pastoral interpretation of 1 John 4:10 by focusing on the psychological and emotional barriers that prevent people from receiving love, both from others and from God. The sermon uses the Greek word "phanerao" (to make manifest) to emphasize that God's love is not abstract but is made tangibly real in the person and work of Jesus. The preacher draws a direct line from the concept of propitiation to the healing of our "skewed view" of God, arguing that the cross is not about God venting anger on us, but about God absorbing the consequences of our sin in Himself, thus making His love trustworthy and safe to receive. The sermon also uses the Greek "ginosko" (to know by experience) to stress that God's love is meant to be experientially known, not just intellectually assented to, and that the Holy Spirit actively pours this love into believers' hearts.
God's Love: Our Model for Sacrificial Living (Ligonier Ministries) provides a theologically rich and linguistically detailed interpretation of 1 John 4:10, focusing on the Greek term "hilasmos" (propitiation). The preacher insists on the necessity of this word, arguing that it captures the essential idea of God's wrath being personally and justly satisfied in Christ. The sermon explores the Trinitarian context of love, describing the intra-Trinitarian love (perichoresis) and how the cross is the ultimate manifestation of this love extended to humanity. The preacher also offers a vivid, almost dramatic meditation on Gethsemane, highlighting the costliness and agony of Christ's propitiatory sacrifice, and how this reveals the depth of divine love.
Investing in Eternal Treasures: A Heartfelt Reflection (Become New) interprets 1 John 4:10 through the lens of "treasuring" and value-creation. The sermon uses the analogy of a beloved, battered doll to illustrate that God's love is not based on the inherent value of the object (us), but that His love itself creates our value. The preacher connects this to 1 John 4:10 by emphasizing that the surprising thing is not that we love God, but that He loved us first, and that this love is what makes us precious. This interpretation stands out for its focus on the transformative, value-bestowing nature of divine love, rather than on legal or forensic categories.
Divine Love: The Cost of Reconciliation Through Christ (Alistair Begg) offers a notable interpretation of 1 John 4:10 by focusing on the word "propitiation," emphasizing its theological weight and the discomfort it causes in modern contexts. Begg explains that "propitiation" means the setting aside of God's wrath, not as a capricious or volatile outburst, but as the inevitable response of God's holiness to sin. He draws a sharp distinction between human love, which is often responsive to something attractive, and divine love, which is entirely initiative-taking and unconstrained by anything in us. This sermon uniquely highlights the mutual estrangement between God and humanity—on our side due to sin, on God's side due to holiness—and frames the cross as the only possible means of reconciling these two realities without compromising either God's love or justice. The sermon also uses the analogy of a vast chasm between God and humanity, which only God's initiative can bridge, and it draws attention to the understated way the Gospels describe the crucifixion, focusing not on physical suffering but on the achievement of reconciliation.
The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg) provides a unique interpretive angle by examining the Greek text of Luke 23:33 and then connecting it to 1 John 4:10. Begg notes that the Gospel writers, and the Epistles, avoid dwelling on the physical sufferings of Christ, instead offering "summary statements" that focus on the purpose and achievement of the cross. He interprets 1 John 4:10 as painting a picture that, when viewed as a whole, reveals two striking elements: Jesus being stripped of everything (his clothes gambled for) and the sign above his head declaring him "King of the Jews." Begg uses these details to illustrate the utter humiliation and apparent defeat of Christ, which paradoxically is the means by which salvation is achieved. He also highlights the crowd's and criminals' demand for self-deliverance as the criterion for messiahship, turning this expectation on its head by asserting that it is precisely because Jesus does not save himself that he is able to save others. This inversion is a fresh interpretive insight into the meaning of atonement as presented in 1 John 4:10.
Embracing Humility: Love, Sacrifice, and Legacy in Christ (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation of 1 John 4:10 by connecting the verse to the concept of the "kinsman redeemer" from the Book of Ruth. The preacher recounts a communion message from a Saudi believer who draws a parallel between Jesus dipping bread and giving it to Judas at the Last Supper and Boaz inviting Ruth to dip her bread in his cup, which culturally signified a covenant of redemption. This analogy is used to argue that Jesus, even in the act of identifying his betrayer, is extending a covenantal, redeeming love to Judas, symbolizing that Christ's atoning sacrifice is offered even to those who betray him. The sermon emphasizes that our love for God is always a response to his initiating, sustaining love, and that the "propitiation" (Greek: hilasmos) in 1 John 4:10 is not merely a legal transaction but a deeply relational, covenantal act rooted in ancient cultural practices of redemption and inclusion. This interpretation uniquely frames the atonement as both a legal and relational act, using the metaphor of the kinsman redeemer to deepen the understanding of Christ's sacrificial love.
1 John 4:10 Theological Themes:
Embracing Love and Hope Amidst Grief (Freshwater Community Church Wadsworth) introduces the theme that God's love, as demonstrated in 1 John 4:10, is not only a theological truth but a healing force for psychological wounds such as unworthiness, fear of rejection, and mistrust. The sermon uniquely applies the doctrine of propitiation to the inner life, teaching that the cross is God's answer to our deepest fears about His character and our worth, and that the Holy Spirit's ongoing work is to make this love experientially real, not just doctrinally affirmed.
God's Love: Our Model for Sacrificial Living (Ligonier Ministries) brings a distinct theological emphasis on the necessity and meaning of propitiation, arguing that God's love is not sentimental but is expressed through the costly satisfaction of divine justice. The sermon also explores the Trinitarian nature of love, suggesting that the cross is the outflow of the eternal love within the Godhead, and that the agony of Gethsemane reveals both the horror of sin and the magnitude of divine love. The preacher further insists that the only alternatives to substitutionary atonement are either a lawless universe or a God who cannot be trusted, making the cross the only coherent ground for assurance of God's love.
Investing in Eternal Treasures: A Heartfelt Reflection (Become New) presents the theme that God's love is creative and value-bestowing, not merely responsive to our worth. The sermon challenges listeners to see themselves and others as treasures because God has chosen to love them, and to model this kind of love in their own relationships—loving in a way that creates value in others, rather than seeking value from them.
Divine Love: The Cost of Reconciliation Through Christ (Alistair Begg) introduces the distinct theological theme of "propitiation" as the technical term for the reconciling effects of the cross, emphasizing that God's wrath is not arbitrary but the necessary response of his holiness to sin. The sermon explores the tension between God's love and justice, asking how God can love sinners without compromising his holiness and how he can exercise wrath without diminishing his love. The answer, Begg asserts, is found in the cross, where God in Christ takes the punishment upon himself, thus satisfying both love and justice. The sermon also adds a practical application: the context of 1 John 4:10 is a call to love one another, making the invisible God visible through the love of believers, which is a unique angle on the passage's ethical implications.
The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg) presents the theme that sympathy for Jesus as a perfect sufferer is not the same as faith in him as Savior. The sermon stresses that the achievement of the cross is not merely to evoke emotional response but to accomplish atonement and reconciliation. Begg also explores the irony of the sign "King of the Jews" and the crowd's misunderstanding of messiahship, using these as theological motifs to show that the true power of the cross lies in Christ's refusal to save himself, thus enabling him to save others. This theme is further developed by contrasting the two criminals crucified with Jesus, one of whom rejects and the other accepts the true nature of Christ's kingship and atoning work.
Embracing Humility: Love, Sacrifice, and Legacy in Christ (SermonIndex.net) introduces the unusual theological theme that the love described in 1 John 4:10 is not only unearned and initiating but also persistently offered even to those who are in the act of betraying Christ, as illustrated by the Last Supper scene with Judas. The sermon further develops the idea that the atoning sacrifice is not just a one-time event but an ongoing covenantal offer, echoing the Old Testament kinsman redeemer motif. Additionally, the preacher articulates a nuanced gospel summary: "God saves us from God for God," emphasizing that the love of God in Christ's atonement is both the means and the end—saving us from divine wrath for the purpose of God's own glory. This theme is presented as a corrective to diluted gospel messages, insisting that the true gospel centers on God's love as the agent of rescue from God's own just wrath, not merely as a therapeutic or moral improvement.
1 John 4:10 Historical and Contextual Insights:
God's Love: Our Model for Sacrificial Living (Ligonier Ministries) provides significant historical and contextual insights by discussing the development and usage of the Greek word "agape" in the New Testament, noting that it was a relatively unused term that the biblical authors filled with new meaning to describe God's unique love. The sermon also references early church debates (e.g., the Council of Chalcedon) about the two natures of Christ, the Latin and Greek theological terms for Trinitarian love (perichoresis, circuminsessio), and the historical controversy over the meaning of "propitiation" versus "expiation" in 20th-century biblical scholarship (notably the work of C.H. Dodd). The preacher situates the doctrine of propitiation within the broader context of ancient sacrificial systems and the necessity of satisfying divine justice, contrasting this with modern discomfort over the idea of divine wrath.
Divine Love: The Cost of Reconciliation Through Christ (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by referencing the Jewish leaders' expectations of the Messiah and the cultural scandal of Jesus associating with sinners. Begg also discusses the tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus' death as a symbol of the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, rooted in the Old Testament context of the holy of holies being inaccessible. He further notes the Roman practice of crucifying criminals between two others and the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy that the Messiah would be "numbered with the transgressors," situating the crucifixion within both Jewish and Roman cultural frameworks.
The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg) offers detailed historical insights into the Roman custom of posting a sign above the crucified person, explaining that it usually declared the crime for which the person was executed. In Jesus' case, the sign "King of the Jews" is both a political statement by Pilate and, in dramatic irony, a true declaration of Jesus' identity as the Messiah. Begg also explains the significance of the soldiers gambling for Jesus' clothes, highlighting the utter humiliation and dispossession that Jesus endured, which would have been understood as a sign of complete defeat and shame in the ancient world.
Embracing Humility: Love, Sacrifice, and Legacy in Christ (SermonIndex.net) provides significant historical and cultural context by explaining the meaning of the bread-dipping act at the Last Supper. The preacher references the Passover meal's symbolic actions and connects them to the only Old Testament precedent—Boaz inviting Ruth to dip her bread in his cup (Ruth 2:14)—which signified a kinsman redeemer covenant. This insight situates Jesus' gesture toward Judas within the framework of ancient Jewish customs, highlighting the radical nature of Jesus' love and forgiveness. The sermon also discusses Second Temple Jewish expectations of the "kingdom of God," noting that the phrase itself is not found in the Old Testament but is rooted in Daniel 7's prophecy of an everlasting kingdom, and that post-exilic Jews had abandoned hope in earthly utopias, instead longing for a divine intervention by the Messiah. This context enriches the understanding of the gospel and the atonement as the fulfillment of deep-seated historical hopes and covenantal patterns.
1 John 4:10 Cross-References in the Bible:
Embracing Love and Hope Amidst Grief (Freshwater Community Church Wadsworth) references several passages to expand on 1 John 4:10: Romans 1 (God's wrath revealed against sin), Ephesians 1 (redemption and adoption), 1 John 3 (being called children of God), and Romans 5 (God's love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit). Each passage is used to reinforce the idea that God's love is both just (dealing with sin) and deeply personal (adopting us as children), and that the experience of this love is mediated by the Holy Spirit.
God's Love: Our Model for Sacrificial Living (Ligonier Ministries) draws on John 3:16 to parallel the language of 1 John 4:10, emphasizing the giving of the Son. The sermon also references the baptism and transfiguration of Jesus (Gospel accounts), highlighting the Father's declarations of love for the Son, and 2 Corinthians 5:21 ("God made him to be sin for us who knew no sin") to explain substitution. The preacher also alludes to the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Old Testament sacrificial system to frame the necessity of propitiation.
Investing in Eternal Treasures: A Heartfelt Reflection (Become New) references Psalm 34 ("Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart") and Matthew 6 (Jesus' teaching on treasures in heaven), connecting these to the theme of treasuring God and being treasured by Him, as echoed in 1 John 4:10.
Divine Love: The Cost of Reconciliation Through Christ (Alistair Begg) references several passages to expand on 1 John 4:10: Romans 5 ("while we were still sinners, Christ died for us") to underscore the initiative of God's love; Isaiah's prophecy that the Messiah would be "numbered with the transgressors" to show the fulfillment of Old Testament expectations; the story of Jesus' interactions with sinners (e.g., Levi the tax collector, the woman at the well) to illustrate the scandalous reach of divine love; and the tearing of the temple curtain to symbolize the new access to God. Begg also cites Peter's statement that Christ died "the righteous for the unrighteous to bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18) and Jesus' words in John 16 about the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth, connecting the apostolic witness to the ongoing revelation of the cross's meaning.
The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg) draws on Romans 3 ("a righteousness from God apart from law has been made known"), 2 Corinthians 8:9 ("he who was rich for our sakes became poor"), and 1 Corinthians 1 ("the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing") to frame the achievement of the cross as the provision of atonement and reconciliation. The sermon also references the Genesis account of the fall to explain the origin of alienation between God and humanity, and the Gospels' accounts of the crucifixion to highlight the narrative details that point to the deeper theological meaning of Christ's death.
Finding Freedom from Guilt Through Christ's Grace (Desiring God) references 1 John 4:10 alongside several other passages to build a comprehensive biblical case for the removal of real guilt through Christ's atoning work. Colossians 2:13 is cited to illustrate the cancellation of the record of debt; 1 Peter 2:25 and Isaiah 53:4, 53:6 are used to show Christ bearing our sins and iniquities; Galatians 3:13 is referenced to explain Christ becoming a curse for us; and Romans 8:1 is invoked to declare the absence of condemnation for those in Christ. Each passage is used to reinforce the idea that Christ's atoning sacrifice, as described in 1 John 4:10, is not a mere legal fiction but an actual removal of guilt, resulting in true freedom from condemnation. The sermon also references Revelation 5:9 to argue that the memory of our guilt and Christ's sacrifice will be eternally celebrated in heaven, shaping our worship and gratitude.
Embracing Humility: Love, Sacrifice, and Legacy in Christ (SermonIndex.net) cross-references John 13:3 and the story of Judas at the Last Supper to expand on the theme of Christ's love to the end, even for betrayers. The sermon also references Ruth 2:14 to provide the Old Testament background for the bread-dipping act, and draws on Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10, 1 Corinthians 9, Romans 15, Daniel 7, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 21, John 12:24, Galatians 2:20, Psalm 116:15, Philippians 3:10, and John 3:30 to develop themes of gospel proclamation, kingdom hope, dying to self, and the ultimate goal of Christ's increase and our decrease. Each reference is used to situate 1 John 4:10 within the broader biblical narrative of redemption, mission, and self-sacrifice.
1 John 4:10 Christian References outside the Bible:
God's Love: Our Model for Sacrificial Living (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references several non-biblical Christian sources: Augustine and Tertullian (on the Trinity being "deep enough for an elephant to swim in and shallow enough for a child to paddle in"), Greek and Latin theologians (perichoresis, circuminsessio), Anselm of Canterbury (substitution and satisfaction), the Westminster Confession of Faith (on the atonement), and C.H. Dodd (on the meaning of propitiation and expiation). The preacher critiques Dodd's view that denied personal divine anger, arguing for the necessity of understanding propitiation as the appeasement of God's just wrath.
Divine Love: The Cost of Reconciliation Through Christ (Alistair Begg) explicitly references hymn writers and their poetry to help express the depth of God's love, quoting lines such as "My Lord, what love is this that pays so dearly" and "Wide, wide as the ocean, high as the heaven above." These hymns are used to reinforce the sermon’s theological points about the initiative and costliness of divine love. Begg also mentions the influence of Hudson Pope, who wrote a prayer-song for children, and references the words of Spurgeon regarding the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit in applying the truth of the cross to individual hearts, quoting Spurgeon on the Spirit "dropping the living seed into a heart that He had Himself prepared to receive it." These references serve to connect the sermon’s interpretation of 1 John 4:10 to a broader Christian tradition of reflection and worship.
Embracing Humility: Love, Sacrifice, and Legacy in Christ (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references several Christian figures and authors in connection with the themes of 1 John 4:10. The sermon recounts the story of Count Zinzendorf and the Moravian missionaries, using their motto "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of his suffering" to illustrate the global and sacrificial scope of Christ's atoning love. The preacher also quotes Ronald Rolheiser: "Before you get serious about Jesus, first consider how good you're going to look on wood," to emphasize the necessity of dying to self in order to experience resurrection power. Frank Boreham's story of Hugh Latimer and Thomas Bilney is used to illustrate the legacy of forgotten disciplers whose lives and deaths radiate Christ's love and advance the gospel. These references serve to connect the sacrificial love of Christ in 1 John 4:10 to the lived experiences and teachings of notable Christian leaders throughout history.
1 John 4:10 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing Love and Hope Amidst Grief (Freshwater Community Church Wadsworth) uses several detailed secular illustrations to illuminate 1 John 4:10. The preacher tells the story of Tom Vanderwood, who died saving his son from a septic tank, as a modern parable of sacrificial love that mirrors God's willingness to give His life for us. Another illustration involves a $3 bowl bought at a yard sale, later discovered to be a priceless artifact, to demonstrate that the value of something is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it—paralleling the idea that God's love bestows worth on us through Christ's sacrifice. The sermon also recounts the adoption story of Dee Marks and her son CJ, who was considered "unadoptable" due to trauma, to illustrate how God's love adopts and heals those whom others reject.
Investing in Eternal Treasures: A Heartfelt Reflection (Become New) offers a vivid, extended analogy of a beloved but battered childhood doll named Pandy, cherished by the preacher's sister and later restored and passed down through generations. This story is used to illustrate the idea that love creates value in the beloved, not the other way around, and that God's love for us in 1 John 4:10 is what makes us precious, not our inherent worth. The preacher also references the financial example of Coca-Cola stock to highlight the folly of treasuring temporary things, and the story of a prayer team member who found meaning in serving others, reinforcing the theme of investing in what is truly valuable—people, as God does.
The Power of the Cross: Atonement and Salvation (Alistair Begg) uses the analogy of modern signage to help listeners understand the significance of the sign above Jesus' head during the crucifixion. Begg draws a parallel between the ubiquity of signs in contemporary life and the ancient practice of posting a placard declaring the crime of the condemned. He then explores the dramatic irony of Pilate's sign, "King of the Jews," suggesting that, much like a modern sign, it was meant to communicate a message to the public—both as a warning and as a statement of identity. This analogy helps listeners grasp the layered meaning of the crucifixion scene and its relevance to questions of authority, identity, and public perception.