Assurance in Christ: The Power of Love
Summary
In today's exploration of 1 John, we delve into the profound question of how we can be assured of our place in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Assurance, as John outlines, is not a singular pursuit but a multifaceted journey akin to physical growth or baking a cake, where multiple ingredients are essential. Last week, we discussed the first ingredient: obeying God's commands. Today, we focus on the second: loving God's people, with the third, believing in God's Son, to be explored next week.
John's letter is structured like a spiral staircase, revisiting these themes repeatedly to embed them in our hearts. The first observation is that hatred is evidence of darkness and death. Hatred blinds and traps individuals in spiritual death, much like a person stumbling in a dark basement. This is a stark reminder of the pervasive hatred in our world, including religious hatred, which has historically led to great atrocities. John warns us to guard our hearts against hatred, as it signifies spiritual blindness and death.
Conversely, love is evidence of light and life. Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ is a testament to our transition from darkness to light and from death to life. This love is not always easy, especially when it involves difficult individuals, but it is a reflection of God's transformative work in us. Jesus Himself experienced familial challenges, reminding us that love is not about choosing who to love but embracing those God has placed in our lives.
Love originates from God, and His inexhaustible love empowers us to love others, even those who seem unlovable. This divine love is the standard by which we understand and express love, not merely affirming others' choices but seeking their best interests. God's love is in us, a flickering candle compared to the sun, yet it is genuine and transformative. Our love for God, however faint, is evidence of His love reaching us.
Finally, assurance grows as we love God's people. This love is a light in the darkness, a testament to God's presence in us. As we love one another, we fulfill God's purpose and shine His light in a dark world, offering hope to the lost. Let us pray for deliverance from hatred and a fresh filling of God's love, that we may grow in assurance and know that we have passed from death to life.
Key Takeaways:
- Hatred as Evidence of Darkness and Death: Hatred blinds and traps individuals in spiritual darkness and death. It is a sign of spiritual blindness, much like stumbling in a dark basement. Guarding our hearts against hatred is crucial, as it signifies spiritual death and separation from God's light. [09:38]
- Love as Evidence of Light and Life: Loving others, especially those difficult to love, is a testament to our transition from darkness to light and from death to life. This love reflects God's transformative work in us and is a sign of spiritual vitality. [12:18]
- Love Comes from God: God's inexhaustible love empowers us to love others, even those who seem unlovable. This divine love is the standard by which we understand and express love, seeking others' best interests rather than merely affirming their choices. [21:12]
- God's Love in Us: Our love for God, however faint, is evidence of His love reaching us. This love, though a flickering candle compared to the sun, is genuine and transformative, reflecting God's presence in our lives. [27:22]
- Assurance Through Love: Assurance grows as we love God's people, shining His light in a dark world. This love fulfills God's purpose and offers hope to the lost, demonstrating our transition from death to life. [39:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Assurance
- [01:07] - Obeying God's Commands
- [02:03] - Ingredients of Assurance
- [03:17] - Loving God's People
- [04:30] - Hatred as Darkness and Death
- [06:14] - The Tragedy of Hatred
- [09:38] - Love as Light and Life
- [13:19] - Challenges of Loving Others
- [19:08] - Love Comes from God
- [21:12] - Knowing Love Through Christ
- [25:56] - God's Love in Us
- [32:02] - Call to Love One Another
- [35:25] - Purpose of God's Love
- [38:56] - Assurance Through Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 John 2:11
- 1 John 3:14
- 1 John 4:7
---
Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 John 2:11, what is the consequence of hatred in a person's life? How does this relate to the analogy of stumbling in a dark basement? [05:11]
2. In 1 John 3:14, what is the evidence that someone has passed from death to life? How does this relate to the theme of assurance in the sermon? [12:00]
3. How does 1 John 4:7 describe the origin of love, and what implication does this have for believers? [20:02]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between love and spiritual light, as seen in 1 John 2:10? [10:19]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the connection between hatred and spiritual death? What might this mean for someone struggling with feelings of hatred? [09:21]
2. The sermon mentions that love is evidence of light and life. How might this understanding affect a believer's approach to relationships within the church? [12:18]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's love empowers believers to love others, even those who are difficult to love? [21:12]
4. How does the sermon interpret the idea that God's love is perfected in us when we love one another? What does this mean for the purpose of God's love? [35:25]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt hatred or resentment towards someone. How did it affect your spiritual life, and what steps can you take to guard your heart against such feelings in the future? [09:58]
2. Think of a person in your life who is difficult to love. What practical steps can you take this week to show them love, reflecting God's transformative work in you? [19:08]
3. How can you actively seek to love your brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those you may not naturally connect with? What role does prayer play in this process? [17:52]
4. Consider the idea that love comes from God and is not dependent on your own strength. How can this truth change the way you approach challenging relationships? [21:12]
5. The sermon suggests that assurance grows as we love God's people. How can you measure your spiritual growth in this area, and what changes might you need to make to grow further? [39:31]
6. How can you be a light in your community by demonstrating love in practical ways? Identify one specific action you can take this week to shine God's light in a dark situation. [38:38]
7. Reflect on the statement that God's love is in us, even if it seems faint. How can you nurture this love to grow stronger and more evident in your daily interactions? [27:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Hatred as Spiritual Blindness
Hatred is a powerful force that blinds individuals, trapping them in spiritual darkness and death. It acts as a barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's light and life. When hatred takes root in the heart, it signifies a separation from God's presence, much like stumbling in a dark basement without a guiding light. This darkness is not just a personal struggle but a reflection of the pervasive hatred in the world, including religious hatred that has led to historical atrocities. Guarding our hearts against hatred is crucial, as it signifies spiritual death and separation from God's light. [09:38]
1 John 2:11 (ESV): "But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life you harbor resentment or hatred towards? How can you begin to seek reconciliation and let go of this darkness today?
Day 2: Love as a Testament to Transformation
Love is a profound evidence of light and life, marking a transition from darkness to light and from death to life. Loving others, especially those who are difficult to love, is a testament to God's transformative work within us. This love is not about choosing who to love but embracing those God has placed in our lives, reflecting the light of Christ. It is a challenging yet rewarding journey that signifies spiritual vitality and growth. [12:18]
1 John 3:14 (ESV): "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death."
Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take today to show them love and reflect God's transformative work in your life?
Day 3: Divine Love as the Standard
God's inexhaustible love empowers us to love others, even those who seem unlovable. This divine love is the standard by which we understand and express love, seeking others' best interests rather than merely affirming their choices. It is a love that originates from God and is meant to be shared with others, reflecting His character and purpose. This love challenges us to go beyond superficial affirmations and genuinely seek the well-being of others. [21:12]
1 John 4:7-8 (ESV): "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate God's love to someone in your life today, prioritizing their best interests over mere affirmation?
Day 4: Evidence of God's Love in Us
Our love for God, however faint, is evidence of His love reaching us. This love, though a flickering candle compared to the sun, is genuine and transformative, reflecting God's presence in our lives. It is a reminder that even the smallest expressions of love are significant and powerful, as they are rooted in God's immense love for us. This love is a testament to His work in us, encouraging us to continue growing in our relationship with Him. [27:22]
1 John 4:12 (ESV): "No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: In what small ways can you express your love for God today, acknowledging His presence and transformative work in your life?
Day 5: Assurance Through Loving Others
Assurance grows as we love God's people, shining His light in a dark world. This love fulfills God's purpose and offers hope to the lost, demonstrating our transition from death to life. As we love one another, we become beacons of hope and light, reflecting God's presence and purpose in a world that desperately needs it. This assurance is not just for ourselves but a testimony to others of God's transformative power and love. [39:31]
1 John 4:16 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
Reflection: How can you be a beacon of God's love and assurance to someone in your community today, offering hope and light in their darkness?
Quotes
Hatred is evidence of darkness and death. Chapter 2 and verse 11: whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. So imagine for a moment a person who is sitting in a dark basement. [00:04:50]
Now you see that is precisely the position of the person who hates. A person who hates stumbles around; he cannot see the truth, and he cannot find the path of wisdom. Now this speaks so obviously and directly to the world in which we're living today. [00:06:57]
Love is evidence of light and of life. Chapter 2 and verse 10: whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. So love is an evidence that you abide in the light, and when you abide in the light, well, then you won't be stumbling around in the darkness. [00:10:12]
We know that we have passed out of death into life. How do we know that we've passed into life? Well, because we love the brothers. Now notice, by the way, that he is talking here very clearly about assurance. We know, he says, that we have passed from death to life. [00:11:56]
Love comes from God. Chapter 4 and verse 7: beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Now you see, some of us may ask this question: how do I really know that I've been born again? [00:12:54]
The source of love is outside of yourself; it comes from God. And there's probably someone in the congregation, perhaps several in the congregation right now, and as we've been pondering people who are hard to love, you've been thinking about someone who is very, very, very, very hard to love. [00:20:26]
Love is from God. God calls you to love your sister or brother, and he is the source of that love which he calls you to give. So stop telling yourself that you don't have love. God is love, and his love is inexhaustible, and as his love reaches you, you will have all the love that you need. [00:21:12]
Our love for God is the evidence that his great love has actually reached us, and that is the greatest miracle of your life. We really have come to know and to love God, and even if our love for him is faint and poor, and even if it's not what it should be, and certainly not what one day it will be. [00:31:59]
God's love for you will never, never, never end. And then John comes back to it again in chapter 4 and verse 10: in this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. [00:35:01]
The Christian definition of love is to seek the best interest of a person at all times. That's how God has loved us. That's why he sent his son into the world. That's why the Lord Jesus laid down his life. Love is to seek at all times a person's best interest. [00:36:40]
Assurance grows as we love God's people. Look at it in chapter 4 and verse 7: whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Or chapter 2 and verse 10: whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. [00:38:56]
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, love one another, and you will know that you have been born of God. Love one another, and you will abide in the light. Love one another, and you will know that you have passed from death and you've come into the glorious life that Jesus Christ alone is able to give. [00:39:31]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Sep 30, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?