PM 1 John 4:7-12

[0:00] Well, good evening and once again a warm welcome to everyone. We have our Wednesday night prayer and Bible study meeting when I shall be leading that meeting and speaking.

[0:18] Next Lord's Day, 11 o'clock and 6 o'clock, the Minister will be our interim moderator, the Reverend Kenny MacLeod. I have been asked to read again today the following intimation regarding elders.

[0:38] Following the recent process to elect new elders, the following received the necessary votes from the congregation. Mr. David Kenyon, Mr. Jonathan Kenyon and Mr. William Kenyon.

[0:54] The Kirk Session has subsequently judged that those elected are duly qualified for office. And all have now intimated their acceptance of the office. Therefore, the Kirk Session agreed at its meeting on 22nd of April 2021, that the ordination to the office of elder of Mr. David Kenyon, Mr. Jonathan Kenyon and Mr. William Kenyon will take place at the close of the morning service on Sunday 9th of May 2021.

[1:25] If any member of the congregation has any objections to the life or doctrine of any of those appointed to the office of elder, he or she should give prior notice to the minister or the session clerk of their intention to raise such an objection.

[1:43] A date will then be appointed for the Kirk Session to meet with such a person in order to hear their objection. One more notice.

[1:57] Just to say that my book on Esther has finally been published. Submitted to the publishers over a year ago.

[2:08] It's taken a little while with the pandemic. But it is out now. I do have some copies at a reduced price. If anyone's interested, do have a word with me.

[2:21] Let's now seek God's blessing in prayer. O God, our God, we come into your holy presence tonight.

[2:36] With praise and thanksgiving, you are the God of our salvation, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[2:48] And we give you thanks tonight for him who loved us and gave himself for us. And we thank you for the promise that wherever two or three are gathered together in his great name, he will be present in the midst.

[3:07] And we ask that we may know this to be true tonight, that the Lord Jesus himself is here, that we may be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit of God, and that you would speak to us through your Holy Word.

[3:27] We pray that spiritual good may be done to each one of us tonight, so that we may in due course go from this place, able to say, it has been good for us to meet together with one another and with our God.

[3:44] So grant us blessing tonight, we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. Our opening praise is from Psalm 96 in the Psalter version on page 358.

[4:07] We're going to hear, and if you wish, sing along quietly behind your mask, verses 1 to 5. O sing a new song to the Lord.

[4:19] Sing all the earth to God. To God sing, bless his name. Show still his saving health abroad. God sing, bless his name. O sing a new song to the Lord.

[4:41] Sing all the earth to God. God sing, bless his name. To God sing, bless his name. Show still his saving health abroad.

[4:54] Among the heathen nations, his glory to declare.

[5:06] And unto all the people show his worth, His worth that wondrous heart.

[5:19] For grace the Lord and grace the Lord, He is to be magnified.

[5:32] Yea, worthy to be fear is he, above all gods beside.

[5:43] For all the gods are idols, which blinded nations fear.

[5:56] But our God is the Lord, by whom the heavens created were.

[6:08] Let's hear now from the word of God. Going to hear first from Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 5, the first 11 verses.

[6:27] Romans 5, verse 1.

[6:41] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.

[7:01] And we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

[7:21] And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

[7:34] For while we were still weak at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die.

[7:52] But God shows his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since therefore we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

[8:11] For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

[8:28] More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

[8:38] reconciliation. We turn over now for our second reading, to 1 John chapter 4. Continuing our studies through 1 John.

[8:55] Going to look tonight at verses 7 to 12. 1 John chapter 4, verse 7. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God, and knows God.

[9:21] Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

[9:44] 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.

[9:55] Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God.

[10:09] If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. Our second psalm is number 138, in the Sing Psalms version, page 179.

[10:33] And we're going to hear verses 1 to 3, and 7 and 8. I'll praise you, Lord, with all my heart.

[10:47] Before the gods, I'll sing your praise. I'll bow towards your holy place, and bless your holy name, always. Always. I'll praise you, Lord, with all my heart.

[11:10] Before the gods, I'll sing your praise. I'll bow to all your holy place, and bless your holy name, always.

[11:35] I'll praise you, Lord, your faithfulness, and for your kind love, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, and all is true, our praise, to the holy name, and faithful word.

[12:13] The holy name, I call to you, you gave me an answer to my need, You gave me an answer to my name, Your holy name, will be an answer to my name, You strengthen me.

[12:53] Although I won't have trouble now, You're tender, yet every step's my life.

[13:10] You set your hand against my foes, Your right has saved me from their strife.

[13:30] The Lord will set me to live, For he never had the sea of man's.

[13:49] You're not endured forevermore, Resend the words of your own hands.

[14:10] Let's pray. Our Father, we thank you indeed that your love does last forever.

[14:28] And we thank you for the great manifestation of that love in our Lord Jesus Christ. As we have read, that amazing love on the cross, When the Son of God laid down his life for sinners.

[14:51] Lord, we have to confess that we probably wouldn't lay down our lives for a righteous person, Or even for a good person.

[15:03] And we certainly wouldn't lay down our lives for people like us. We wouldn't expect anyone to lay down their life for us. And yet here is one who has.

[15:16] Lord, we praise you for him. For the Lord Jesus Christ, Who in that mysterious eternal purpose of salvation, Was willing to come and suffer agony of body and soul.

[15:35] Dying as the sacrifice for sins, The just for the unjust. That he might bring even us to our God.

[15:49] Lord, we do come before you now conscious, That it is only because of that sacrifice, That we are able to pray at all. If it were not for the death of the cross, Then indeed we would tremble to come into the presence of a holy God.

[16:07] But you have opened the way for us. And therefore we come, Seeking blessings upon us and upon the church of God. And seeking the fulfillment of your great purposes in the earth.

[16:21] We pray, Lord, for this church here in Dumfries. And we ask you, Lord, to favour us with your blessing.

[16:32] We feel our great weakness. We feel our great weakness. But we pray that you will revive us again. Revive us in our own hearts. Fill us with the love of God.

[16:44] Grant us real spiritual zeal for the cause of Christ. And revive us, Lord, in our numbers also. We pray, Lord, that the days will soon come when this place will be filled with worshippers.

[17:04] And help us to fulfil your purposes of evangelism in this area. Thank you, Lord. Not only in the public preaching of the word. Not only in the activities of the church.

[17:17] But also in our own individual lives and our family lives. That we may shine as lights in the present darkness.

[17:28] We pray for churches likewise throughout our country. Throughout Scotland and throughout the UK. We pray for our friends church down in Leicester. And ask you likewise for the outpouring of your blessing upon them.

[17:43] We pray, gracious God, for the work of mission overseas. And we thank you that there are parts of the world where there are multitudes of worshippers.

[17:57] Thank you that though here in the UK we have to lament the spiritual decline. Yet there are other places where there has been revival.

[18:08] Where there are churches that are strong and growing. And we pray that they may continue to do so. And that you will provide for all of their spiritual needs.

[18:20] And raise up pastors who will be able to lead those many churches. We pray for those who are persecuted for the faith.

[18:31] Thank you for their courage and their example. And we pray that they may continue to know that the Lord God is with them in the deepest of trials.

[18:45] We pray, Heavenly Father, for our nation in all of its needs. In respect of the political situation.

[18:56] With an election coming up here in Scotland. And elections taking place in various other parts of the UK. Lord, we have much need that in your sovereign love you will have mercy upon our land.

[19:12] And guide us into good government. Lord, we pray for those who stand for election. That they may be honest. We pray that they may be motivated by genuine concern for the nation.

[19:28] And not merely a lust for power. And whoever is elected. Help us to see them as those who have been placed in power by the Almighty God. Lord, we pray more widely for this world.

[19:44] So many countries where there is evil government. Where there is dictatorship. Where there is corruption. So many places where there is still war.

[19:57] So many places where there is famine. So many places where there is still many people dying from COVID.

[20:09] Lord, we pray for this troubled world. Have mercy upon people in their natural needs. But much more. Grant that your gospel may lead them out of darkness.

[20:21] Into your glorious light. Draw near to us each now in our more personal needs. Thank you for your great love toward each individual one of your sheep.

[20:34] Lord, grant us that we may know your presence with us. Not only tonight, but throughout the coming week. Help us to honor and glorify our God.

[20:45] Help us to fulfill that chief end of man. That we may, each of us individually. And all of us in our respective families. And together in our churches.

[20:57] That we may glorify God. And enjoy him forever. Draw near to us now. As we look into your word. And speak to us we pray through it.

[21:09] For we ask in Jesus name. Amen. Our third psalm is number 136 from Sing Psalms on page 177.

[21:33] And going to hear verses 1 to 14. That sounds a lot, but they're very short verses. Oh, thank the Lord, for he is good.

[21:45] His love endures forever. Oh, thank the God of gods always. His love will fail us never. And of course, that refrain is repeated throughout.

[21:56] Psalm 136. I'm sorry, Robert. I don't seem to have downloaded that one. Oh, right.

[22:08] I'm sorry. Do you have a different one, William? I'll try and get it for you. Well, don't worry. We'll just read that psalm together, shall we?

[22:23] Those of you who have a psalm book handy, who might like to follow it through, and I'll just read those verses. Oh, thank the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

[22:35] Oh, thank the God of gods always. His love will fail us never. Give glory to the Lord of lords. His love endures forever.

[22:48] Great wonders he alone performs. His love will fail us never. In wisdom he has made the heavens. His love endures forever.

[22:59] He set the earth above the seas. His love will fail us never. He made the sun to rule the day. His love endures forever. The moon and stars to rule the night.

[23:11] His love will fail us never. He struck down Egypt's firstborn sons. His love endures forever. By might he brought out Israel.

[23:22] His love will fail us never. He made a pathway through the sea. His love endures forever. And through it he brought Israel.

[23:34] His love will fail us never. And it continues much, much longer than that. Speaking of God's great mercies to Israel.

[23:45] With that lovely refrain. His love endures forever. Which leads us conveniently into our sermon.

[23:57] The love of God. In 1 John chapter 4. Verses 7 to 12.

[24:08] We're going to look at. And I'll read again verses 7 and 8. Beloved, let us love one another.

[24:22] 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.

[24:45] There is a story about the Apostle John. That when he was old. Having returned from exile in Patmos.

[24:57] They used to carry him to the meetings of the church. In Ephesus. And they would ask him to say a few words.

[25:09] And he would say quite simply. Every time. Little children. Love one another. And when they asked him if he had something else to say.

[25:21] He would say. If you have understood this. That is enough. I always like to check out these traditional stories.

[25:33] As to whether there's any basis for them. I've discovered that that story appears in Jerome's commentary on the Galatians. written in the fourth century. Written in the fourth century.

[25:45] But it's believed to go back earlier than that. And it certainly does sound like the sort of thing that John would have said. Three times in this passage.

[25:59] He says. Love one another. Love one another. First in verse 7. Let us love one another. For love is of God. Then in verse 11.

[26:10] Having spoken of the cross. If God so loved us. We also ought to love one another. And then in verse 12. If we love one another.

[26:22] God abides us. And his love is perfected in us. It's a subject that John comes back to repeatedly. As I'm sure you must have noticed.

[26:35] Through these studies in 1 John. In chapter 2. He had said that we should love one another. Because it is Christ's commandment.

[26:48] In chapter 3. He'd said that we should love one another. Because Christ has set us an example of love. But here he goes a step further.

[27:03] Loving one another reflects the very nature of God. Each step takes us that little bit higher.

[27:19] Jane and I went for a walk a week or two ago. At a place called Doge Wood. Some of you may know it. It's near Castle Douglas. And there's a lovely path.

[27:30] Up through the woodlands. And you get little glimpses. Of a view. Right over towards Cucubri and beyond. And when you get near the top.

[27:40] Suddenly it opens out. And you see the whole view. And it is magnificent. On a fine day. You see right the way across to the Lake District. Well as we progress through 1 John.

[27:55] It's a little bit like that. It's like climbing a hill. Or a mountain. On the lower slopes. You get little glimpses of a view.

[28:06] Through the trees. And as you get higher. The view gets better and better. But you only get the full view. When you finally get to the top.

[28:18] And then that view is magnificent. These verses before us tonight.

[28:29] Really do bring us to the mountaintop. Some would say the mountaintop of divine revelation. Not just that we should love one another.

[28:44] But that God himself is love. Those three exhortations to love one another. Are like three signposts on the footpath.

[28:58] Guiding us towards the summit. Which is God himself. John's grand theme in this letter remember.

[29:10] Is real Christianity. And the message of this passage is. That real Christians. Reflect. The love of God. But the focus is not on ourselves.

[29:23] The focus. Is on God. I want us to explore tonight. Three statements. About God. God is love.

[29:36] In verses 7 and 8. God's love is shown. In the cross. Verses 9 to 11. And God's love is seen.

[29:49] In us. Verse 12. And we will see how each leads to the same. Practical conclusion. Love. One another.

[30:03] So first then. God is love. Verses 7 and 8. Beloved. Let us love one another. For love is from God. And whoever loves. Has been born of God. And knows God.

[30:14] Anyone who does not love. Does not know God. Because God. Is love. I'm aware. That that's the third time. That I've read those verses.

[30:25] Verses. Tonight. We could read them a hundred times. And they'd be just as wonderful. John addresses them.

[30:36] As he did before. In verse 1. And as he will again. In verse 11. As beloved. Reminding us that John is not merely writing about love.

[30:48] But writing in love. We could say he practiced what he preached. He builds up gradually. To his grand conclusion.

[31:01] Begins with the exhortation. Let us love one another. Then the reason. For love. Is of God. And then he gives us one of his black and white contrasts.

[31:15] Whoever loves has been born of God. And knows God. Anyone who does not love. Does not know God. Let's pause there for a moment.

[31:29] Christians. Are not merely people. Who try to live a good life. According to the Bible. Christians are people. Who have been born again. We are the children of God.

[31:44] And therefore we should bear. The family likeness. Just as a father. Transmits. Something of his genetic nature. To his children.

[31:56] So God has imparted something of his nature. To us. Wherever you see love. True spiritual love.

[32:11] You can deduce that that person. Is born of God. If you don't see it. Then you can deduce. That they are not.

[32:22] Born of God. The love we are talking about. Remember. Is more than just the natural love. That we have for our own family.

[32:32] And friends. Though that too. Is a gift of God. And very precious. A remnant of the image of God. In fallen mankind. The Greek word here though.

[32:45] Is agape. Which means. Sacrificial. Self-giving love. In short. The love that God. Has for us.

[32:55] Whoever loves in this way. Has not only been born of God. But knows God. Jesus prayed in John 17.

[33:09] That his disciples might have eternal life. And this is eternal life. He said. That they may know you. The only true God. And Jesus Christ. Whom you have sent.

[33:21] We have been brought into. A close relationship. With God. And we can truly say.

[33:31] That we know God. In a way that the world doesn't. My children know me. In a way that other people don't.

[33:42] For better or for worse. Likewise the children of God. Know their heavenly father. In a way that other people don't. And it is entirely for the better.

[33:57] We know. Just how loving he is. And we want to be like him. But where there is no love.

[34:10] There is no knowledge of God. No matter how religious people. Might appear to be. No matter how much they might know. Even if they have theological degrees.

[34:23] Even if they happen to be ministers in the church. If they don't show love. Sorry. They are not born again. They are not born of God.

[34:34] They don't know God. They are not his. Only those who love. Are born of God.

[34:45] And know God. God. But what is it that we know about God. John comes now to the climax.

[34:59] God. Is. Love. Now this. Tremendous statement. Has impressed some people so much.

[35:10] That they can't see anything else. It needs to be said therefore. That this is not the only statement in the Bible.

[35:22] About God. Using that phrase. God is. There are actually quite a number of God is statements.

[35:33] In the Bible. Deuteronomy 4.24. For example. There is the justice of God. The Lord your God is a consuming fire.

[35:46] And that verse is quoted in the New Testament also. Hebrews 12.29. In Deuteronomy 6. And verse 4.

[35:57] There is the unity. And the uniqueness of God. Hear O Israel. The Lord our God. The Lord is one.

[36:10] Deuteronomy 10.17. There is the sovereignty of God. For the Lord your God. Is God of gods. And Lord of lords. In Job 36.26.

[36:25] We read. God is great. Maybe you thought that was a Muslim statement. But no. It's right here in the Bible as well. God is great.

[36:40] Psalm 47 says. God is the king of all the earth. Psalm 84 says. The Lord God is a sun and a shield. The Lord will give grace and glory.

[36:54] Jesus himself says. John 4.24. God is spirit. And those who worship him. Must worship in spirit and truth. And right here in 1 John.

[37:07] In chapter 1 and verse 5. We have the holiness. And the purity. And the truthfulness of God. All summed up in that saying. God is light. God is light.

[37:20] All of these sayings are true. Not just God is love. It's not true that God is holy some of the time.

[37:32] And loving at other times. At all times. He is both holy and true. And love. He wasn't as some people imagine.

[37:46] A God of justice in the Old Testament. And a God of love in the New Testament. He is always. A God of justice. And a God of love.

[37:57] Perhaps we should also add. That John is careful. In how he expresses this. God is love.

[38:09] Not the reverse. Love is God. To hear some people talk. You would think that that's what he'd said. That love is God. You know the old Beatles song.

[38:23] Was it? All you need is love. No. No. That's not quite accurate. Once you begin to elevate love in that way.

[38:34] Then you have fallen into idolatry. If you turn love into God. You've missed the point. God is many things.

[38:47] He is holy. He is pure. He is righteous. He is just. He is unchanging. He is sovereign. But also. He is love.

[39:01] And that of course is a magnificent statement. Isn't it? God is love. It's also a mysterious statement. For some it might raise philosophical questions.

[39:16] If God is love. Then why do terrible things happen in the world? If God is love. Then why are any people lost?

[39:31] The answer to both of those questions is sin. But it's not easy for everyone to accept that. Confronted with some natural disaster.

[39:45] Or the death of a loved one. It isn't always easy to see the love of God. But we have to hold fast to what scripture declares.

[39:56] And even when we can't quite understand it. We can't quite see it. We must believe it. God is love. God is love through and through.

[40:08] He radiates love. Just as the sun radiates light and heat. Remember how the psalmist said. God is a sun and a shield.

[40:21] And we might add that just as the sun radiates light and heat at the same time. So God radiates justice and love at the same time.

[40:40] The greatest proof though of the love of God lies in what he has done for us. Which brings us to the second point. God has shown his love in the cross.

[40:55] Verses 9 to 11. In this the love of God was made manifest among us. That God sent his only son into the world. So that we might live through him.

[41:06] 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.

[41:19] Beloved. If God so loved us. We also ought to love one another. God's eternal nature is revealed to us.

[41:31] In this one historic event. The mystery is made plain. In human flesh.

[41:44] The son of God coming into this world. And dying for us on the cross. If God had not revealed his love in that way.

[41:57] Then I think for many of us. God's love would remain a rather vague philosophical concept. But the cross makes his love real and tangible.

[42:14] For anyone who is troubled about all the terrible things that go on in the world. It may be helpful to reflect. That the love of God is seen here.

[42:25] In the most terrible event that has ever happened. God sent his son. His only son.

[42:36] Into this world. In the full knowledge that he would be crucified. Out of love for us. What heartbreak there is in that thought.

[42:51] That God sent his own son to a certain death. I sometimes wonder how parents must have thought.

[43:05] In World War I. When they sent their sons onto the battlefield. Knowing that they would probably die. In the trenches.

[43:18] Perhaps they still had a little bit of a hope in them. No. No. They'll be okay. They'll come back. Some people do. But there's no such thought with God.

[43:32] There's no possibility that it won't happen. When he sent his son into the world. He knew for certain that it would happen. He himself had decreed that it would happen.

[43:45] His son would definitely suffer. That terrible agonizing death. If God.

[43:58] Could have. Sent his son into this world. Simply to live here. A righteous life. As a man. Simply to work miracles.

[44:08] Simply to preach to people. If he could have saved the world. In that way. Well that would have been okay. Wouldn't it? It would still have been a wrench.

[44:19] For God the father. To part with his son. Sending him to earth. But he could bear with that. He'd soon be back again. But it wasn't possible.

[44:32] He had. To suffer. The death of the cross. For God the father. To see his son suffer.

[44:43] Indeed worse than that. To inflict. Suffering upon him. By laying our sins. By laying our sins. On his son. That was the most terrible sacrifice.

[44:57] But that is what he did. Out of love. And out of love for us. Sinners. Such as we are.

[45:09] Unlovely rebels against God. God. This is love. John says. Not that we have loved God.

[45:22] We didn't love God. Before we were converted. And even after we were converted. Still we have never loved God. Perfectly. It's not that we have loved God.

[45:37] But that God has loved us. And sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. A propitiation.

[45:49] Is an offering made to pacify the wrath of God. It's the language of sacrifice. And that is what Christ was. A sacrifice for our sins.

[45:59] The Lamb of God. Offered up for us. A willing sacrifice. Yes. But a sacrifice still. John has said this before.

[46:15] Back in chapter 2. If anyone sins. We have an advocate with the Father. Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins.

[46:27] And not for ours only. But for the sins of the whole world. Paul says the same. Romans 3.25. We are justified freely.

[46:38] By his grace. Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Whom God has put forward. As a propitiation. By his blood. To be received by faith.

[46:52] And he too. Sees the love of God. In this. In that passage that we read. In Romans 5. God shows his love for us.

[47:04] In that while we were still sinners. Christ died for us. Such love calls for a response.

[47:16] It calls for faith. We must trust in Christ. If we want to be saved. It calls for praise.

[47:29] There should be songs of worship. Rising from us. Every day of our lives. The saints in heaven. Cry out.

[47:40] Worthy is the lamb. And so should we. It calls for love toward God. Loving him who first loved us.

[47:51] But it also calls. For loving one another. Beloved. If God so loved us. And he did.

[48:02] We also. Ought to love one another. If we are. Truly his children. Then we should be like him.

[48:14] The love he showed. In saving us. No expense spared. As it were. We should show that same love. Towards one another.

[48:28] And we should show that love. Towards all. Of God's people. Whoever they are. Wherever they are. Whatever they are.

[48:38] Whatever they are like. Christ died for. A multitude. No man can number. Of every. Kindred. Tribe and tongue. They are not all.

[48:50] In one denomination. They are not all. People like us. They are not all. People that we would like. They don't all. Even agree.

[49:00] On every point. Of theology. But if they are. Children of God. Christ died. For them. God has loved them.

[49:11] With an everlasting love. Love. Shouldn't we love them also. As our brothers and sisters. Which brings us to our final point.

[49:24] God's love. Should be seen. In us. In verse 12. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another. God abides in us.

[49:36] And his love is perfected. In us. John repeats here. What he said. In his gospel. In John 1. Verse 18. No one.

[49:47] Has ever seen. God. But there. He continued. By saying. That God. Is seen. In Christ. The only God.

[50:01] Or in the authorized version. The only begotten son. Who is at the father's side. He has made him known. As Jesus said later. To Philip. He who has seen me.

[50:13] Has seen the father. Here. He continues. By speaking about. Us. If we love one another.

[50:26] If. If. We love one another. Then it is evident. That God dwells in us. Where else could that love. Have come from.

[50:37] And in this way. God. Can be seen. In us. What an extraordinary thought. That is. People.

[50:49] Able to see God. In you. Now the way. In which God dwells. In us. Is of course. By his spirit. As he goes on.

[51:01] To say. In the following verse. By this. We know. That we abide in him. And he in us. Because he has given us. His spirit. The love in our hearts.

[51:12] Is the fruit of the spirit. So what we have. Therefore. In these verses. Is really. A trinitarian statement. God's love.

[51:23] Is seen eternally. In his nature. In the father. Historically. It is seen in the cross.

[51:35] In the son. And in the present. It is seen in. Our love. Through the spirit.

[51:48] Father. Son. And Holy Spirit. All represented here. In this short passage. God's love. Seen in us.

[51:58] I find that an extraordinary thought. But you see. God has great plans. For his people. He is not content. Just to save us. He wants to make himself.

[52:12] Known. Through us. And not only. Through the preaching. Of the gospel. Vital. Although that is. But through the.

[52:23] Visible sermon. Of Christian love. When he says. God's love. Is perfected in us. We are not to suppose. That God's love.

[52:34] Was in any way. Imperfect. Before. What could possibly. Be more perfect. Than God's love. On the cross. Rather.

[52:45] We should understand it. In terms of. Completeness. God's love. Finding its. Full expression. In us. This is a key part.

[52:58] Of God's plan. To redeem. A people. For himself. He wants a people. Who are full of love. Both for his glory. And for our happiness.

[53:10] And for a testimony. To the world. God. God. God. God. God. God. Is still. The focus. Notice. Even in this. Verse. The aim.

[53:22] Is not. That people. Should say. What nice people. We are. The aim. Is not. Necessarily. Just that people. Will want. To come. To church. God. The aim. Is that people.

[53:32] Should see. God. And say. What a wonderful. God. We have. Although. John. Says repeatedly.

[53:43] In this passage. Love one another. The real focus. Is not actually. Us loving. One another. It's the love.

[53:53] Of God. That that. Reflects. The love. Of God. Inspires us. The love. Of God. Is our example. The love.

[54:03] Of God. Fills our hearts. Not our love. For God. But God's love. For us. So let me ask you.

[54:15] As we draw. To a close. Is your heart. Full. Of the love. Of God. God. These are. Lofty truths. We're.

[54:26] Up on the mountaintop. But John. Wants to make it. As simple. As possible. In our English version. Out of a hundred and twenty three.

[54:36] Words. In this passage. There are only. Eight. That are. More than two syllables. It is slightly more than that. In the Greek. But mainly. Because agape. Is three syllables.

[54:49] God. Is love. Therefore. Love. Love. Love. One another. That's it. As simple as that. But if you've understood that.

[55:00] That is enough. If you're not. Yet a Christian. Then this is a wonderful passage. To think about. Think about the love of God.

[55:13] Displayed on the cross. And ask yourself. Can you really resist that love. Think about the love. That you've seen amongst Christians.

[55:25] And ask yourself. Wouldn't you like. Their God. To be your God. God. You may still have questions. About the suffering.

[55:36] In the world. But don't let. The questions. Distract you. From what is certain. The love of God. On the cross.

[55:47] Is certain. Hold on to that. Think about the God. Who himself. Suffered at the cross. And those doubts.

[55:58] Will fade away. And you will know. That God is love. And if you are a Christian. Well think even more.

[56:10] About these things. We will never rise any higher. Than the love of God. That really is. The top of the mountain.

[56:22] But we can understand it more. And the more we understand it. The more. It will change our lives. Paul prayed for the Ephesians.

[56:34] That Christ may dwell in your hearts. Through faith. That you. Being rooted. And grounded in love. May have strength. To comprehend. With all the saints.

[56:45] What is the breadth. And length. And height. And depth. And to know the love of Christ. That surpasses knowledge. That you may be filled.

[56:58] With all the fullness of God. That I'm sure. Would be John's prayer also. That it should be our prayer. For ourselves.

[57:09] And for one another. May the love of God. Enthral our hearts. And transform our lives. Amen.

[57:20] Amen. Amen. Amen. We're going to hear now. A final hymn. Charles Wesley's great hymn.

[57:33] Love divine. All loves excelling. Joy of heaven to earth come down. Fix in us thy humble dwelling. All thy faithful mercies crown.

[57:45] Jesus thou art all compassion. Pure unbounded love thou art. Visit us with thy salvation. Visit us with thy salvation. Enter every trembling heart.

[57:57] Good to us. God. Amen. Love divine. Love divine. Love's excelling. Joy of heaven to earth come down.

[58:12] Sing, sing, us thy humble dwelling. All thy faithful mercies crown.

[58:23] All thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus thou art all compassion. Love of pure mercy crown. Our folk merciful mercies crown.

[58:35] Visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.

[58:52] Come, almighty, to deliver, let us all thy life receive.

[59:03] Suddenly return and never, never move my temper's near.

[59:17] Free me, would be always blessing, serve me as thy hosts above.

[59:29] Pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect heart.

[59:43] Finish them thy new creation, pure and softness let us be.

[59:57] Let us see thy great salvation, gravity in its heart in me.

[60:11] Change from glory into glory. Live with thee in our place.

[60:25] Till we cross the ground below him. God Another, Father, Mountberries.

[60:40] Now may grace, mercy and peace from God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with you all evermore. Amen.

[61:10] Amen.