Experiencing the Depths of God's Unconditional Love
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the profound love of God as described in 1 John 3:1. We began with a story about Joshua Bell, a world-renowned violinist who played incognito in a New York subway. Despite his talent, most people walked by without recognizing the beauty before them. This serves as a metaphor for how we often overlook the incredible love God has for us. John invites us to "see" this love, not just intellectually but experientially.
We delved into four facets of God's love: Father love, Trinity love, Saving love, and Love unknown to the world. Father love is the deep, unconditional love a parent has for their child, a bond that God uses to describe His love for us. Trinity love is the same love that God the Father has for Jesus, which is extended to us when we become His children. Saving love is the love that rescues us from the family of the devil and adopts us into God's family. Finally, Love unknown to the world is a unique, divine love that the world cannot comprehend because it does not know God.
John emphasizes that being a child of God means practicing righteousness. This isn't about sinless perfection but about a life characterized by habits that reflect our new family in God. We are encouraged to examine our lives—our bank statements, our hospitality, and the hidden parts of our lives—to see if they align with the family of God. True children of God will fight against sin and grow in their resemblance to Jesus.
In conclusion, we are called to treasure and rejoice in the love of God, to see and savor it, and to let it transform our lives. This love is available to us through Jesus Christ, and it calls us to live in a way that reflects our new identity as children of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Father Love: God's love for us is like the love a parent has for their child, but even stronger. This bond is one of the most powerful in the world, and God assures us that His love surpasses even that of an earthly parent. This love is unconditional and ever-present, inviting us to rest in the security of being His children. [40:12]
2. Trinity Love: The love that God the Father has for Jesus is the same love He extends to us. This is a mind-blowing concept that shows the depth and inclusivity of God's love. When we become children of God, we enter into this divine love, experiencing the same affection and care that the Father has for His Son. [43:23]
3. Saving Love: We were born into the family of the devil, but God's saving love rescues us and adopts us into His family. This love is not based on our merit but on God's grace and mercy. It transforms us from children of wrath to children of God, giving us a new identity and a new family. [45:12]
4. Love Unknown to the World: The world cannot understand the kind of love God has for us because it does not know Him. This love is unique and divine, setting us apart from the world. It calls us to live differently, to love differently, and to reflect the love of God in our lives. [50:55]
5. Practicing Righteousness: Being a child of God means our lives should be characterized by habits of righteousness. This isn't about being perfect but about growing in our resemblance to Jesus. We are encouraged to examine our lives and habits to ensure they align with our new identity in God's family. [56:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:49] - Opening Prayer
[34:37] - Joshua Bell Story
[35:54] - Introduction to 1 John 3:1
[36:47] - Experiencing God's Love
[39:07] - Four Facets of God's Love
[39:50] - Father Love
[41:00] - Trinity Love
[44:04] - Saving Love
[48:14] - Love Unknown to the World
[54:01] - Practicing Righteousness
[57:05] - Checking Your Spiritual Passport
[01:03:37] - The Offer of the Gospel
[01:04:08] - Closing Prayer
[01:05:17] - Lord's Supper Instructions
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 3:1 - "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are."
2. John 1:12-13 - "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
3. John 17:22-23 - "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does John invite us to do with God's love in 1 John 3:1? How does he want us to experience it? ([36:47])
2. According to the sermon, what are the four facets of God's love? ([39:50])
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between the love of God and the love known to the world? ([50:55])
4. What does John say about the relationship between being a child of God and practicing righteousness? ([56:00])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of Joshua Bell playing incognito in the subway relate to our perception of God's love? ([34:37])
2. What does it mean for God's love to be "Father love" and how does this compare to earthly parental love? ([40:12])
3. How does the concept of "Trinity love" expand our understanding of God's love for us? ([43:23])
4. In what ways does "Saving love" change our identity and family affiliation according to the sermon? ([45:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the idea of "Father love." How can you rest in the security of being God's child this week? ([40:12])
2. The sermon mentioned examining our lives to see if they align with the family of God. What specific habits or areas of your life might need to change to reflect your new identity in Christ? ([56:00])
3. How can you practice "Trinity love" in your relationships, showing the same love that God the Father has for Jesus? ([43:23])
4. Think about the concept of "Saving love." How does knowing you are adopted into God's family affect your daily life and interactions with others? ([45:12])
5. The sermon encourages us to "see" and "savor" God's love. What practical steps can you take this week to intentionally focus on experiencing God's love more deeply? ([36:47])
6. How can you demonstrate "Love unknown to the world" in your community, showing a love that reflects God's unique and divine love? ([50:55])
7. The sermon suggests checking our "spiritual passport" by examining our habits. What specific habit will you focus on changing or improving this week to better reflect your identity as a child of God? ([57:05])
Devotional
Day 1: The Unconditional Love of the Father
God's love for us is like the love a parent has for their child, but even stronger. This bond is one of the most powerful in the world, and God assures us that His love surpasses even that of an earthly parent. This love is unconditional and ever-present, inviting us to rest in the security of being His children. The love of the Father is not based on our performance or our ability to earn it; it is a gift freely given. This love provides a foundation of security and identity, reminding us that we are cherished and valued beyond measure.
In our daily lives, we often seek validation and love from various sources, but God's Fatherly love is the ultimate source of true acceptance. It calls us to rest in the assurance that we are His beloved children, no matter our circumstances or failures. This love invites us to approach God with confidence, knowing that He delights in us and desires a close, intimate relationship with us. [40:12]
1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt unconditionally loved by someone. How does that experience compare to the love God has for you as His child? How can you rest in the security of God's Fatherly love today?
Day 2: Entering into the Divine Love of the Trinity
The love that God the Father has for Jesus is the same love He extends to us. This is a mind-blowing concept that shows the depth and inclusivity of God's love. When we become children of God, we enter into this divine love, experiencing the same affection and care that the Father has for His Son. This love is not distant or abstract; it is personal and relational, drawing us into the very heart of the Trinity.
As we reflect on this truth, we are invited to experience the fullness of God's love in our daily lives. This divine love transforms our understanding of who we are and how we relate to God and others. It calls us to live in the reality of being deeply loved and cherished by the Creator of the universe, and to extend that love to those around us. [43:23]
John 17:23 (ESV): "I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
Reflection: How does knowing that you are loved with the same love that the Father has for Jesus change your perspective on your relationship with God? How can you live out this divine love in your interactions with others today?
Day 3: Rescued and Adopted by Saving Love
We were born into the family of the devil, but God's saving love rescues us and adopts us into His family. This love is not based on our merit but on God's grace and mercy. It transforms us from children of wrath to children of God, giving us a new identity and a new family. This saving love is a powerful demonstration of God's grace, showing that He is willing to go to great lengths to bring us into His family.
This adoption into God's family means that we are no longer defined by our past or our sins. We have a new identity as beloved children of God, and this changes everything about how we live and relate to others. We are called to embrace this new identity and live in the freedom and joy that comes from being part of God's family. [45:12]
Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV): "He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."
Reflection: Reflect on the reality that you have been rescued and adopted into God's family. How does this truth impact your sense of identity and purpose? What steps can you take to live more fully in the freedom and joy of being a child of God?
Day 4: Embracing the Love Unknown to the World
The world cannot understand the kind of love God has for us because it does not know Him. This love is unique and divine, setting us apart from the world. It calls us to live differently, to love differently, and to reflect the love of God in our lives. This divine love is a powerful testimony to the world of who God is and how He loves.
As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace this love and let it shape our lives. This means living in a way that reflects God's love to those around us, even when it is counter-cultural or difficult. It means loving others with the same selfless, sacrificial love that God has shown us. [50:55]
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 embrace and reflect God's unique and divine love in your daily life? Think of one specific way you can show this love to someone who may not understand or know God.
Day 5: Practicing Righteousness as Children of God
Being a child of God means our lives should be characterized by habits of righteousness. This isn't about being perfect but about growing in our resemblance to Jesus. We are encouraged to examine our lives and habits to ensure they align with our new identity in God's family. True children of God will fight against sin and grow in their resemblance to Jesus.
This call to practice righteousness is an invitation to live out our faith in practical ways. It means making intentional choices that reflect our identity as children of God and striving to grow in holiness and Christlikeness. It involves examining our actions, attitudes, and habits to ensure they align with God's will and purpose for our lives. [56:00]
1 John 3:7 (ESV): "Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous."
Reflection: Take a moment to examine your life and habits. Are there areas where you need to grow in righteousness and Christlikeness? What specific steps can you take today to align your actions and attitudes with your identity as a child of God?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When you see something beautiful, when you're in the presence of something majestic, it changes you. That's why when we think about vacation, we usually think about beach or mountains, right? Because something changes you when you see the white sand and the clear waters of a non-Galveston beach or something changes you when you see the towering peaks of the rocky mountains." [38:34] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God is saying that his love for his children is even stronger than the bond between an earthly parent and a child that as a child of God you get to receive the perfect love from your heavenly father. This is amazing that God's love is father love." [40:42] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "To be born of God wasn't the result of our initiative or decision; it was the result of God's good and gracious will. Our adoption into God's family was a rescue operation." [45:36] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God gets to define what love is because God is love. That's the point that John's going to make in chapter four. The Bible tells us that God is love, but the world wants to say that love is God, and there's a big difference between those two phrases." [50:50] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The way out is to look at the offer of the gospel. Jesus says surrender it all and you can come and be a part of this family. He can be your older brother and he can lead you to the love of the father. Hear the gospel that is available for you this morning and be undone by the love of God that's available for you in Christ." [03:32] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "John is inviting us to see majesty, to see beauty, and he wants to see it in the fact that we are called children of God. So I think it's worth investing a large part of our time this morning to see what John wants us to see here." [39:07] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The love that God the father has for all of his children, if you're in Christ, the love that God the father has for you is the same love that God the father has for his son Jesus." [41:14] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We were born into the devil's family and we proved that we loved the devil's family by sinning out of our own will. We weren't like Harry Potter who didn't like his uncle Vernon and desperately wanted to get out of that family. We were more like Harry's cousin Dudley who loved his family and embodied the selfishness of his own family." [46:06] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If I'm an imperfect father and if I can feel that way about my son, how much more can our perfect heavenly father think that about us this morning? That when we're adopted into God's family, when we're united to Christ through faith, we enter into the love that the father has for the son full stop." [47:38] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You can know which family you're in based on your love, and God is the one who gets to define what love is because God is love. So if you feel alienated from the world, take heart. Their problem is not with you; their problem is with God." [53:43] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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