Andrew Murphy, 16, was a protective older brother who loved church, family and had a skilled ear for music.
One evening while playing at a park with his 14-year-old sister and friends, Andrew saw a man point a gun at his sister.
He did what any older brother would do - he rushed to protect her.
Phoenix police officers found Andrew shot in his chest near the restroom and he later died that night at the hospital.
The sister he would give his life to protect rushed to his side after the shot rang out, heard him mumbling, but she was able to make out one word, his last word, "Amen." -The Arizona Republic, September 14, 2012, Ashton Buccola
In the above illustration, Andrew displayed the ultimate act of love. He gave, or sacrificed, his own life so that his sister might live. Our heavenly father did the same for us when He sent his Son to give his life so that we might have a chance at eternal life. There is nothing like the love of God! It is the most overwhelming thing I have ever encountered in my life. It is the greatest thing God ever did for any of us! The reason I can say that is this, because He loved us, He was moved to do everything else that He has done. Allow me to say today that John's epistle has a 4-fold purpose:
That our joy might be full. (1 John 1:4)
That we might not sin. (1 John 2:1)
That we might know that we have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
That we ourselves might love others. (1 John 4:11)
1 John is the great book of love. It is mentioned 46 times in 135 verses. It was written to combat a heresy known as Gnosticism. The Gnostic believed that knowledge was power. They felt that they had a special knowledge of God and His ways. John is writing to put them into their place! And, as he does, he tells the rest of us about a great God with a great love for great sinners.
In 1 John 4:7-11, this love is described in the context that...
A. It Is Unspeakable - I can't understand it, or why, but I know I have experienced it and I can never be separated from it - Romans 8:38-39
B. It Is Unending - Jeremiah 31:3…I have loved you with an everlasting love! God's love is eternal!
C. It Is Unselfish - (Romans 2:4; 1 John 4:19)
D. It Is Unmerited - Cannot be earned or deserved!. (Matthew 23:37.)
E. It Is Unconditional - It is not based on what we can or cannot produce, it comes from the heart of God. Man can never reach a place when he will not be loved by God! God loved us first, He loved us anyway and He loves us eternally!
F. His love is Supernatural, it is Sacrificing, it is Satisfying!
In 1 John 4:10, this love was demonstrated at Calvary and showed us that...
A. God's love can never be fully understood, but it can be seen! It is best seen at the cross!
B. He Stood In The Gap (2 Corinthians 5:21)
C. He Saved Us From Hell (1 Peter 1:18-19; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:12-14; Revelations 1:5)
In 1 John 4:11-12, this love is displayed in the Christian by the following...
A. It will be visible if it is possessed!
B. Notice throughout the Bible, there have been men who demonstrated God's love:
1. Forgiving Love (Genesis 45:1-8)
2. Redeeming Love (Hosea 3:1-3)
3. Compassionate Love – Peter denied Him ….lied about Him…Yet Jesus still said…On this Rock I will build my church!
4. Healing Love (Psalm 103:1-4 )
C. When the love of God is present in the life of a believer, it will be visible in 5 different areas.
1. Love For The Savior (John 14:15; Revelations 2:4)
2. Love For The Scriptures (John 5:39)
3. Love For The Sanctuary (Hebrews 10:25)
4. Love For The Saints (1 John 4:20-21; 1 John 5:1-3; John 13:35; 1 John 4:12)
5. Love For The Sinners -. Jesus had a heart for sinners.
Conclusion: We ought to praise the Lord today for His overwhelming love! We can shout, we can run, we can turn flips and act like crazy little monkeys, but the best means we have of thanking Him for His love is by letting Him love through our lives and reach others for Jesus.
I invite you to join me today as I ask the Lord to help me to love like Jesus. I thank Him for loving me, and I am sure you do too. Today let's show that love for God by doing His will and being what He would have us be, and by loving like He would have us love. By loving others exactly as we have been loved by God. (Matthew 22:39)
Prayer: Heavenly Father I will incline my ears and hear the words of the wise, and apply my heart to your knowledge; for it is a pleasant thing if I keep them within me. I will fix them upon my lips and my trust will be in You Lord! In Jesus name I pray, Amen. (Proverbs 22)
Have a blessed week!
The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry
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