Need
for Love
*
"Love" is often defined as "a deep and tender feeling of affection
or devotion." Such love usually depends on the loveliness of the object loved.
The biblical words for "love" have a broader range of meaning. For example,
God's "love" is not dependent on the loveliness of the object loved,
and God's people are called to love in a similar way. Such love is not self-centered,
but is willing to give and sacrifice for the well-being of others.
*
All of us have a basic need to feel loved. Most of us have a deep desire for relationships
of love. 1.
If love is so desirable, why is there a great lack of love in our world? Why isn't
there more love in our world today?
Source
of Love
*
"God is love" (1 John 4:8b, 16b). Love is part of the very nature and
character of God. God is the source of love…"for love comes from God"
(4:7b). God's love is perfect and unfailing. Hope
because of Love
*
In the Old Testament period, Israel had hope because of God's love. The LORD said
… "I
have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you
will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful' (Jeremiah 31:3-4,
NIV).
Advent
of Love
*
While the word "love" is not found in the "Christmas story"
(Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 2:1-40), God's love is evident. God's love is made clear
in the following famous verse: "For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son [Jesus Christ], that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16,
NIV).
*
Christmas is a time of giving, but the greatest gift ever given was the gift of
God's Son. 2.
When you consider God's gift of his Son, why do you think it is a gift of love?
In what ways is God's love evident in the giving of Jesus Christ?
Demonstration
of Love
*
God's love was demonstrated in the giving of his Son in the form of a baby. But
the ultimate demonstration of love was the giving of his Son as a sacrifice. "But
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us" (Romans 5:8, NIV).
*
"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, NIV).
*
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us"
(1 John 3:16). Benefits
of Love
Because of God's love in Christ Jesus, we can have…
*
Peace with God, and restored relationship with him (1 John 4:9-10 above; Lesson
2).
*
Joy of salvation and eternal life (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-5).
*
Hope of a glorious inheritance as God's beloved children (Romans 8:16-17; 1 John
3:1).
*
The indwelling Holy Spirit who fills our hearts with love (Romans 5:5).
*
A new ability (empowered by the Spirit) to love others with God's love (Galatians
5:22).
*
Eternal security in God's love in times of trouble, hardship and attack (Romans
8:35-39).
*
Mutual blessing and unity in the fellowship of love - the church (Colossians 3:12-14).
*
These benefits are offered in the gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ. 3.
When someone gives us a costly and valuable gift, how do we respond? When someone
sacrifices greatly to give us a gift that we desperately need, how do we respond?
How do we feel toward that person? How do we treat that person?
Response
to Love
*
God has offered us the gift of his Son, and we should receive him! Once we have
received Jesus as Lord and Savior, we should continue to respond to God's love
on a daily basis.
*
We should love God with all our being (Luke 10:27a). We should love our brothers
and sisters in Christ (John 13:34-35), and love other people in general (Luke
10:27b; 6:35).
*
We should obey the Lord (2 John 1:6), give generously (2 Corinthians 8:8-15, 24);
share the gospel with others (2 Corinthians 5:11-15), and "live a life of
love" (Ephesians 5:1-2).
*
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought to love one another"
(1 John 4:11, NIV).
†
Do you desire love? Do you know the Source of love? Have you received the gift
of God's Son? If you do not believe, ask questions, seek answers, and seek the
source of love.
As a Christian, do you think about the love of God on
a daily basis? Are you loving God and loving others as you should? Review this
handout. Read the Bible references and John 4:7-21.
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