SERIES: The Letters of John
TEXT: 1 John 3:11-4:6
MESSAGE: “Following Jesus as the Beloved”
What are the marks of someone filled with God’s love? They..
1. Love each other (3:11-17)
2. Love with action, confidence, and a clear conscience (3:18-24)
3. Discern God’s love from counterfeit loves (4:1-6)
“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain…” — Hebrews 11:4
“Cain threw a tip on the table, but Abel gave his best. Cain gave out of his income, but Abel gave out of his capital. Cain made a gesture of thanks, but Abel risked his future growth potential by giving God some of his breeding stock. The difference between these two men was tokenism versus love, and God took it seriously.”— Ray Ortland
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” — Genesis 3:15
“Every time someone calls Cain, he hears them singing his praises. He is God’s gift to the world, the one who will purge creation of the serpent’s sway. Abel, on the other hand, hears nothing but negativity: unlike his brother, he is pointless.” — Judson Davis
“..while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son…” — Romans 5:10
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1
“Let love be genuine… Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” — Romans 12:9a, 10
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:34-35
“For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” — 2 Corinthians 11:4
“I accept that doctrines ought to be tested by God’s Word, but unless the Spirit of wisdom is present, having God’s Word in our hands will avail little or nothing, for its meaning will not be apparent to us.” — John Calvin
Key Takeaways
1. Evaluate your relationships
2. Is there any evidence of selfishness in your life?
3. Have you settled for a counterfeit Jesus?