The document is a sermon about the love of God. It discusses how John wrote his letter to believers to assure them of eternal life. It was addressed to children, young men, and fathers. It explores different Greek words for love, including eros, storge, philia, and agape. It describes how God is love, that love comes from God and is meant for others as demonstrated through Jesus. Perfect love from God casts out fear and allows people to rely on His unchanging love.

1. Today
‘The love of God’
1 John 4:7-21

2. Why does John write this letter?
I write these things to you who
believe in the name of the Son of
God so that you may know that
you have eternal life
1 John 5:13

3. Who is he writing to?
Children - 1 John 2:1a, 2:12, 2:14a
Young men - 1 John 2:14b
Fathers - 1 John 2:13a, 14a

4. Different Greek words to describe ‘love’
1. ‘Eros’ = sexual love
2. ‘Storge’ = natural affection
3. ‘Philia’ = a brotherly love
4. ‘Agape’ = God’s love

5. A Love which is Divine
God is love
1 John 4:8

6. A Love which is Directional
From God
Dear friends, let us love one another,
for love comes from God
1 Tim 4:7

7. A Love which is Directional
To others
let us love one another .. Everyone who
loves has been born of God and knows God
we also ought to love one another
1 John 4:7, 11

8. A Love which is Directional
A new command I give you: love one
another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another
John 13:34

9. “Don’t waste time
asking yourself if
you love someone
– act as if you do”

10. A Love which is Demonstrated by action
This is how God showed his love among
us: He sent his one and only Son into the
world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but
that he loved us and sent his Son as an
atoning sacrifice for our sins
1 John 4:9-10

11. A Love which is totally Dependable
And so we know and rely on the
love God has for us
1 John 4:16

12. A Love which Delivers us from fear
There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear
1 John 4:18

14. “God loves me just
the way I am, but
He refuses to leave
me that way”